I obtained this e-mail so I assumed I might do a weblog put up on this. No footage for a change – this can be a hardcore restore article for many who wish to get caught to a great restoration for pleasure and satisfaction.
“Hello Justin,
I’m a clock / watch fan and a little bit of an newbie repairer. I’ve a lot of mechanical clocks round the home that I’ve breathed life into … most of which have come from lofts and sheds and have been given to me as non-working initiatives by family and friends. None are price a lot within the materials sense however most have some sort of sentimental worth, just like the mantle clock that was given to my Grandparents on their wedding ceremony day and was in flip given to me by my mom.
I bumped-ono your website when searching for recommendations on cleansing picket instances. I might be very grateful of any ideas that you could be want to share on cleansing picket instances and particularly replenishing the wooden – thanks.
Finest regards,
John
Colchester”
Repairing and restoring clock instances, particularly these from the early to mid twentieth century, could be a minefield. The primary downside right here is that the veneers used had been typically not that prime high quality. They are usually skinny and dyed. This implies in the event you attempt to work them they break.
You need to decide to doing the entire case. In case you try to refinish a part of it you’ll both create a clock in two colors (certainly one of which you dont need) or you’ll change the end on the world you’re engaged on each by way of texture and color. In case you then apply varinish or laquer to that space it will likely be very apparent and you’ll have to begin once more on a case that was worse than while you began.
Doing the entire case doesn’t essentially imply stripping off all of the previous varnish. If the varnish is just beginning to flake then
- Use a inexperienced scratch rag / sponge to take away the flaking varnish. Apply stress evenly while you do that so that you just dont put on off the varnish in a patches.
- Combine 1 half varnish with 2 components paint thinners. This can create a really skinny combination that you would be able to apply with a sponge. Dont use a brush – its the mistaken software for this and can depart marks and streaks. Apply the varnish thinly in order that it’s not able to operating / pooling.
- Depart half-hour between coats and apply 3 coats.
- As soon as dry, buff to a excessive sheen end after which use silicone primarily based polish to offer it actually excessive gloss UV protecting coating.
The above assumes the varnish is simply beginning to flake and the general injury isnt that dangerous.
If the clock has damaged sections in its varnish or is excessively worn then you could strip the previous end away. This isn’t difficult and easily use common paint stripper by following the directions on the tin. All work properly and its only a matter of being affected person and possibly making use of a few coats of stripper.
As soon as thats executed give the case a great wash and let it dry completely. Now you can apply wooden stain to the case earlier than varnishing. In relation to varnishing you need to use a brush however by far one of the best outcomes will probably be achieved with the thinning and sponge methodology described above – a lot of layers thinly utilized is the rule to comply with on this one. In case you slap it on thick you’ll find yourself with run marks within the varnish, irrespective of how assured you may be about it making use of as you need – simply spend the additional time and reap the rewards.
One last item – your clock may need a toned end – this being the case keep away from the entire strip down possibility as its arduous to duplicate. If thats not an optionthen it may be executed through the use of thinner with a number of drops of black paint disolved in it. This lets you dab on extra regularly within the areas to be shaded / toned. The benefit of doing it this fashion is that you would be able to appropriate errors when you are doing it by merely wiping your dye combination off with the identical thinners you used to dilute it. Additionally, if you would like the darkness to seep into the grain to impact a type of striped woodgrain impact then you may apply the dyed varnish after which rub it off the reduction of the wooden. This leaves the stained varnish in reduction of the woodgrain. This achieves roughly the identical end as on the originals or these two toned clocks.
One final last item….put money into a small set of oil paints. Oil paint will be combined on the palette to get a great color match and the feel you may apply with a brush makes it simple to simulate wooden grain. Give this 48 hours to dry earlier than making use of the varnish excessive. Its a good way of filling veneer chips because the paint is thick sufficient for use as a filler for many jobs though you’ll need critical drying time on it.
Im all the time blissful to assist individuals on restorations so simply e-mail me in case you have any questions or need assistance in your job.
