Saturday, September 22, 2018

Tips On Grandfather Clock Maintenance

By Angela Cole


Old timepieces require care from time to time for them to be reserved. It is suggested that they are maintained after two or three years of working so that they work well. As they are old, they definitely remind you of the good old memories you would want to cherish. In spite of this, they have a few challenges which should be taken care of. The mentioned are useful points on grandfather clock maintenance you can use.

Old clocks tend to suffer from being closer to heat sources as high temperatures can damage important components. For this reason, avoid hanging it near windows or fireplaces where the heat can get to it directly. To add on this, you ought to avoid hanging them in humid areas or any other damp places. With time, the moisture will damage different parts and even cause corrosion.

Avoid cleaning the glass directly. You can be able to clean the glass of the timepiece with a window cleaner. However, ensure that you do not spray the glass directly since these products contain alcohol which can damage the shellac of the clock. Instead, you can spray the cleaner onto a piece of paper or cleaning towel before you clean the glass surface. Keep in mind that all antique watches have a shellac finish which adds value to it.

There are times when you may find out that the time is not running as required. Look in the interior of the antique to check the speed in which the oscillator is moving. When you want to remove dust from the interior, a blower can easily and quickly do the trick. If you are not successful, opt for an expert as there may be an underlying problem with the inner mechanism. Do not leave the dust as more damage will be done.

The old piece requires to be oiled and serviced after a while. The oiling is dictated by its age, the environment where it was hanged, how the repair was previously done and the type. Take it to a professional who can oil it well. The reason for this is that the various parts in the inside require different makes of oil. Using only one make may make the issue worse.

When you are thinking of moving the watch, it is crucial you get a professional to pack it well. If it is packed properly, it can be easily moved like furniture. Moving it without proper packing may force the chains to come off the sprockets which will force it not to run. The cost of having it packed is cheaper than having it repaired or losing it completely due to the damage done.

When you see that the watch is not running and that the hands are not moving, it is time to reset it. You can do so by moving backwards the minute hand until you notice that the required time is displayed on the dial. After this, check on the possible cause so that you can take care of the problem once.

Antique clocks have a unique and complex mechanism. There are some problems which you cannot fix on your own. They require an expert who can take out the components and check on them separately. These devices deserve the best care that can be given so as to continue working.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment