| Horological hints & tips | May 2004 |
Biological magicThe condition of the dial is an important factor affecting the appearance of a good quality clock. Over some years I have tried to minimise the damage on vitreous enamel dials, but with very little success until recently.Vitreous enamel is fired on to very thin copper sheet, which is usually slightly convex to improve strength and appearance. Often this is degraded by cracks and, occasionally, more significant damage where the enamel has been chipped, especially around winding holes where the grommets have been lost. My most successful efforts to improve enamel dials with dirty cracks have been to soak them for several hours—even overnight or for several days—in a fairly strong solution of biological washing-machine detergent, powder or liquid. Sometimes the dirt is eaten away completely, but every one has shown significant reduction to the darkness in the cracks. To prevent the cracks from refilling with dirt, when they are completely dry I coat the dial with a hard clear lacquer (such as Rustin’s). In cases where the enamel has been chipped away I carefully apply a two-part epoxy filler (such as Milliput) just below the level of the original enamel, and then an enamel (such as Hammerite) over the filler . Skilled professional restoration is sometimes necessary, although expensive. I and other ‘clockies’ have been impressed by the results obtained using these simple procedures. H J Thompson, UK |
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