Grandfather clocks, though elegant and impressive, do require a fair amount of maintenance to keep them looking pristine and running smoothly. However, with the knowledge gained from this article, you will easily be able to keep your grandfather clock in top shape.
Clock Body
For basic cleaning, dust the outside of your grandfather clock once a week with an ostrich feather duster. For a slightly more thorough clean, go over the wood of the clock every so often with a damp, lint-free cloth.
A grandfather clock should be displayed in an area of the house that is free from drafts, extreme temperature changes, and humidity so that the wood doesn't warp.
Every year or so you should polish the wooden surface of your grandfather clock. Use a high-quality wood furniture polish and a soft cloth, and work the polish into the grain. Small cracks in the surface of the wood can be filled with a wax filler.
Window Glass
Caring for the glass of a grandfather clock is quite simple. Spray glass cleaner on a clean paper towel and wipe the glass from top to bottom. Spraying it on the towel first will make sure that there are no foggy spots or streaks left on the glass. Wipe down the inside and outside of both the upper and lower glass panels. This job should be done weekly.
Clock Mechanisms
Cleaning and oiling the inside mechanisms should be done about every five years. Be sure to refer to the owner's manual throughout this process to make sure you are aware of all the parts and how to correctly care for them. Keep careful track of all the pieces you will be disassembling so that you can put them all back correctly.
You will start by taking off the front face of the clock. Once the inside is exposed, clean away any old oil and dust that may have built up and turned grimy.
The inside component of the clock is called a movement. Each gear is on a shaft that is connected to front and back plates at a two pivot hole. Each pivot hole has a small oil sink, a little divot that can hold a bit of oil and distribute it over time. Add a small amount of oil to each oil sink, wipe away any overflow, and then reassemble the clock.
When oiling the movement, do not use WD-40, 3-in-1 oil, or sewing machine oil. Instead, use specific clock oil that you can get from a clock supplier. If you do not feel that you can oil the internal mechanisms safely, you can call in an expert to do this for you.
Contact a supplier to learn more in-depth about caring for your grandfather clock. When bought from a reputable supplier, such as a Howard Miller grandfather clock supplier, and cared for properly, a grandfather clock can last a lifetime.
Share29 September 2020
