Vintage Clock Parts Guide

Restoring Gesso-Based Painted Clock Dials
Restoring Gesso-Based Painted Clock Dials
This article focuses on restoring gesso-based painted clock dials common on Black Forest and wooden plate clocks, covering preparing chalk and binder mixture creating thick substrate coating, smoothing gesso surface... Read more...
Reviving Sun-Damaged Shellac Finishes
Reviving Sun-Damaged Shellac Finishes
This article focuses on reviving sun-damaged shellac finishes showing flaking and deterioration, covering rubbing with denatured alcohol reactivating old shellac to reattach and flow smooth, Formby's Furniture Refinisher softening existing... Read more...
Waxing Heavily Carved Clock Cases
Waxing Heavily Carved Clock Cases
This article focuses on waxing heavily carved clock cases with intricate detail, covering liquid beeswax and lemon oil products penetrating deep carvings without gumming up, natural bristle brushes applying even... Read more...
How to Bleach and Shape Bone for Period-Correct Clock Escutcheon Repairs
How to Bleach and Shape Bone for Period-Correct Clock Escutcheon Repairs
This article focuses on how to properly clean, bleach, and shape bone for use in antique clock escutcheon repairs, covering grease removal, whitening methods, shaping curved surfaces, and choosing period-correct... Read more...
How to Prevent Shellac from Lifting Stain During Clock Case Veneer Repairs
How to Prevent Shellac from Lifting Stain During Clock Case Veneer Repairs
This article focuses on preventing stain color loss during shellac French polishing when repairing veneer patches on antique clock cases, explaining why alcohol affects certain stains, how to seal repairs... Read more...
How to Identify and Treat Woodworm Damage in Longcase Clock Cases
How to Identify and Treat Woodworm Damage in Longcase Clock Cases
This article focuses on identifying whether woodworm damage in longcase clock cases is active or historic, understanding visible indicators such as exit holes and frass, and selecting appropriate treatment methods... Read more...
Removing Flat Head Nails from Clock Cases
Removing Flat Head Nails from Clock Cases
This article focuses on removing flat head nails from clock cases with minimal wood damage, covering using thin knife blade or box cutter under nail head for initial lifting, placing... Read more...
Tightening Loose Nail Joints in Clock Cases
Tightening Loose Nail Joints in Clock Cases
This article focuses on tightening loose nail joints in antique clock cases, covering toothpick shims for enlarged nail holes, injecting melted hide glue around loose nails creating grip without disassembly,... Read more...
Applying Veneer to Arched Clock Case Surfaces
Applying Veneer to Arched Clock Case Surfaces
This article focuses on applying veneer to arched clock case surfaces like bracket clock tops, covering soaking veneer overnight in water and glycerin solution making wood pliable, pre-bending veneer clamped... Read more...
Matching Veneer Colors Using Aniline Dyes
Matching Veneer Colors Using Aniline Dyes
This article focuses on matching replacement veneer colors to aged originals using aniline dyes, covering why dyes work better than pigment stains for color adjustment, Transtint and Lockwood water-based dye... Read more...
Repairing Broken Spelter Figurines with JB Weld
Repairing Broken Spelter Figurines with JB Weld
This article focuses on repairing broken spelter and pot metal clock figurines using JB Weld epoxy, covering why heat-based soldering fails with low-melting-point alloys, quick-set versus regular JB Weld for... Read more...
Repairing Arched Door Frames on Tall Case Clocks
Repairing Arched Door Frames on Tall Case Clocks
This article focuses on repairing broken arched door frames on tall case clock bonnets, covering two-piece arch construction with lap joint at apex reducing warping and breakage, orienting grain at... Read more...