Seeking advice for my clock restoration .

[deeprinser]

Hello Everyone.
I was wondering if anyone could help me with some advice on how to restore my mantle clock face cheaply.
The clock works fine and chimes beautifully.
I have asked restoration professionals and was staggered by how much they charge for "face lifts "!
I really cannot afford to have the clock face done professionally.
The face does need re-silvering and the numerals need a touch up .
Please can someone tell me if they have had any DIY clock face restoration experience themselves .
I have searched the internet for DIY help but cant really find any.
I would really appreciate your advice.

Many thanks.
Kindest regards to you all.
Louis.
p.s. Here is a photo of the clock face.

 

[58limited]

Try this place. If you don't find a matching clock face on the website, call them and see what their advice is for refinishing yours.

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www.norkro.com

 

[maytagbear]

Forgive me for asking,

but what is wrong with leaving it exactly as it is? (I am asking this politely and respectfully).

Particularly if it is in otherwise excellent condition?

The clock is 80-100(or more) years old, what would be the harm in letting it look like 80-100 years?

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[deeprinser]

Thank you for your responses.

Hi 58limited - I have checked out your link. Thank you so much.
If I cant find anything in the UK then I will definately buy from the US.

Hi Lawrence/Maytagbear- Yes .I know what you mean.
It just looked kind of "tired " to me today !
Its Edwardian so its just over 100 years old with Westminster striker chimes.
You know something ? You are absolutely right .
Thanks Lawrence .

Love.Louis.

 

[whirlcool]

Remember with collectibles sometimes you can destroy their value with a restoration. I am not that up on clocks, but you may want to talk to an appraiser of clocks before you do anything to this one. It looks like it is a very nice one!

 

[danemodsandy]

The Usual...

...Way to get a dial restored properly is to have a clockmaker remove it and send it to Kirk Dial, which operates in most states; your local clock shop will know where to reach them. Professional restoration of a dial enhances value instead of lowering it, unless the clock is of museum quality, and even then, restoration may be indicated. My first job ever out of high school (never mind when that was, LOL) was in a clock and watch company, and Kirk did a lot of work for us. They weren't cheap, but a dial could go out in train-wreck condition, and it would always come back looking the way it should. The shop I worked for once worked on a Thomire bronze mantel clock from the Blue Room of the White House, so that should give you an idea of how important doing things right was for that company.

 

[deeprinser]

Thank you danemodsandy.
Restoring a clock face should not decrease its value.
I shall bear that in mind.
Im in the U.K. and I have already asked for clock face restoration quotes.
The cheapest was £175.00. About $250.00.
I suspect sending it to the U.S for a face lift would be very costly for me .
Kindest regards.
Louis.

 

[maytagbear]

Whatever you decide is fine-

My question was purely a style one. I don't mind old things looking like old things.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[danemodsandy]

One of the Reasons...

...That dial restoration does not decrease value when correctly done is that a clock's face needs to be legible. Badly faded dials, or ones with numerals missing or rubbed off, can be hard to read. Restoring a clock dial helps return a damaged clock to what it should be - a reliable, easy-to-use timepiece.

 

[abcomatic]

Hi Louis

I have several antique clocks and all I do to them is dust them, maintain them and wind them. I think your clock is wonderful and it looks great to me just the way it is. Maytagbear is right, It would probably lessen the value of the clock if you do much to it. Happy chiming. Gary

 

[maytagbear]

Uh,

My reluctance has NOTHING to do with the monetary value of the clock. I repeat, NOTHING to do with money.

I just like most old things to look like old things.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[volvoguy87]

Historic Preservation

In my education in historic preservation I got a huge dose of ethics from one of the people who wrote the ethical standards by which most historic preservation efforts are supposed to work.

My thoughts (take them as you see fit) are: if it's 100 years old, it should look like it. Not worn out or abused, just a gracefully-aged 100 years. My goal in restoration isn't necessarily to bring something back to brand-new condition, just to do some major cleaning and necessary refurbishing. A few bumps and scrapes comes with the territory.

I do have a few clocks I inherited from my grandmother. I have them cleaned and oiled every few years and keep the cases clean.

Enjoy the clock,
Dave

 

[danemodsandy]

Clarification:

One of the things that Kirk Dial can do for a dial is to make it look as it would if it had been cared for and never abused or neglected. They're very careful not to over-restore, and they do take an owner's preferences into consideration. One of their jobs usually comes back looking "just right" for the age and type of clock involved. They're also careful not to "glamorise" dials by using better or more upscale finishes than original.

There is something to be said for absolute originality, and I'm all for it wherever it exists. But if a clock has a problem that keeps it from being a good, legible, reliable timepiece, it is possible to put it into a condition that makes it what it should be once again, without destroying value. An all-original clock that cannot run and cannot be read has much less value than one in good order - ask anyone who bought a "bargain" on eBay, only to find that it wasn't worth the purchase price in the first place and will cost a lot of money to restore in the second.