"You're a mechanic, right?" she asked with a grin. "I think I can trust you to get something to clean this grime off. And some rags. We shouldn't need to soak any of it." It was dirty, but keeping it in operating condition had certainly helped to keep the clock from gumming up or letting the grease and grime take over.
No, all it needed was a good cleaning. She was almost disappointed there wasn't more that needed to be done.