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This clock
was my first combination Case restoration and true strip
the clock movement completely apart and thorough
cleaning using methods I learned from reading books. The
results may not appear to be much, but they are none the
less to me. This clock has really boosted my confidence
in clock repair, and has shown me that I have much to
learn yet.
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| Clock case condition was
severely dry with loose glue
joints. Some pieces of molding trim had fallen off but were with case, making it very
simple to rebuild. The area around the dial is a veneer and had bubbled up. While attempting to clean the door, the whole thing fell apart. I used
vinegar to remove the old glue. And boy does Vinegar work well with old hide glue. I
highly recommend it! While I was at it, I replaced the dumb looking 1/8" glass panes
with beveled glass. But since my glass supplier does not bevel 1/8" glass, I took a
thicker glass, but had the beveled edge small enough to fit the frame. The veneer was
repaired simply by dowsing the old glue with vinegar to soften the glue and then clamped
flat. Although not perfect, it does look much better.
Whole clock case was wiped with Johnsons Feed and Wax, and gave it a
nice sheen that lasted for almost two months. It has been recommended that I seal it with
a good high carnauba content wax, which I will do shortly. |
Before
After
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| This view shows the left side of the clock and back
board. Note the missing trim piece on the top of the clock. I removed the old glue with
vinegar and lightly sanded both the trim piece and clock to make a better surface for the
new glue. Clamped it in place and let dry. |
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| Here's the operating instructions located inside the door. (in
french, of course) |
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 Movement looks to be missing a barrel. Actually, movement
has a rather unique method of replacing the main spring without having to take the
movement apart. Everything was found in the clock case, and it cleaned up really well.
Required some new springs, and a different hammer. I was hesitant as to what cleaning
solution I should use, so I used the following formula:
- 4 oz Murphy's Oil Soap
- 8 oz Acetone
- 12 oz Ammonia (called for 26%, but I used common Ammonia)
- 1 Gallon of cold water
It cleaned pretty good, but was still drab so I polished it using
the old stand by Nevr Dull. Now it shines! Polishing the movement was entirely
personal taste, and not really required. Polishing the movement destroys the patina
the movement has required over the years, and some would argue, the intrinsic value of the
movement (and clock)
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