How to Clean an Antique Clock’s Case and Movement

2010 March 6
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How to Clean an Antique Clock Case

Cleaning an antique clock case is a delicate process; it's simple to remove the clocks end. Always keep in mind that antiques are held to have imperfections, they add to the clocks value. Also, removing an antiques end can substantially fall its value. When cleaning your clocks case only use products that have been proven safe.

Antique clocks have a shellac end and you should only use a high quality wax, like Briwax. To apply, use a soft cloth and cover the clocks case using circular motions. I find it best to wax the case in sections, that way the excess wax is not left on the case for to long. After allowing it to dry for a couple minutes, remove the excess wax. After all the wax dregs has been removed buff with a new soft cloth.

The glass can be cleaned with fixed household Windex. Spray a small amount onto a paper towel and use the paper towel to clean the glass. Never spray Windex frankly onto the glass because it contains alcohol, which will hurt the wood shellac

How to Clean an Antique Clock Passage

A proper clock cleaning is a complex process and requires the passage be completely disassembled. Clock schedule are comprised of abundant interconnected gears, which can be trying to place back together, unless you have encounter. Consequently, most people choose to have their clocks cleaned by an expert.

The only way to effectively clean a clock is to clean each party part in an ultrasonic bath of a specialized cleaning key. Upon being reassembled all pivot points need to be oiled and sometimes demand rebushing.

Simply cleaning the plates does not remove the dirt from the Bearings. Most hurt occurs because dirt, in the bearings, causes the holes to wear more on one side than on the other. When the holes are elongated the gears grind and the clock stops working.

The most often made mix by people is to reckon you can simply spray some WD40 on the clock gears and call it a day. In fact, applying WD40 is one of the worst things you can do to your clock. It will not fix the problem it really causes more harm than excellent. Spraying WD40 will cause particulates to increase on the entire passage. This happens because a clock bearing only requires a single drop of oil to run. Surface tension holds the oil in place.

When excess oil is bestow the weight of the oil is too much and surface tension will not hold the oil in place. As the gears rotate, during normal operation, the oil will spread right owing to the entire passage.

After a while, the oil will no longer be in the oil sink and the clock will, in essence, be in succession without oil. Anyone who has used WD40 knows it's impracticable to apply one drop. Additionally, clocks work best when a specialized synthetic clock oil is used.

Author: Lee Baker
Shape up Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Duty tariff



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