How to Maintain Antique Clocks

Antique clocks offer price appreciation, aesthetic value, and functionality. Knowing the proper way to move and handle the clock protects its parts and limits corrosion. Maintaining antique clocks requires a short amount of time and effort. Develop a schedule for must do tasks to ensure many years of enjoyment from your antique clock.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cotton gloves
• Dust cloth
• Winding schedule
• Professional maintenance schedule
• Insurance

1. Maintain the proper humidity for your antique clock. For metal cases, low humidity keeps corrosion low and more humidity for wood cased clocks helps the wood from drying out.

2. Keep varnished and painted clocks away from sunlight. Light damages the surface.

3. Wear cotton gloves when handling or touching the clock's metal pieces. Hands and fingers contain oil, salt and grime that cause corrosion.

4. Dust the outside case and inside face, weights, pendulum, and floor weekly. Be careful with your dust cloth around the clock hands so as not to bend them.

5. Schedule winding days to keep from over winding and damaging the clock.

6. Take your antique clock to a clock repair shop every 5 years. Maintain this routine inspection, part replacement and oiling to prolong the life of the timepiece.

Tips & Warnings

• To move the clock always secure the pendulum or remove it completely. Take the weights off their chains or pulleys and store until needed. Move a larger clock with its back downward.
• Always set the clock on solid flooring. Larger clocks that move or shake from the swinging pendulum, weights or when someone walks by need leveling by propping up the underside.
• Keep the key to the case in a safe place out of reach from children.
• Consider speaking with your homeowner's insurance agent if you have an expensive antique clock. Ask about insurance coverage for the value of the clock.
• Never wear jewelry, belt buckles or other objects when moving an antique clock. This helps avoid scratching the surface.
• Avoid turning the clock hands backwards beyond the hour when resetting the time and allow the chiming points to finish before moving forward. Use the minute hand for this.
• Don't clean original metal hardware that has a lacquer coating with polish.