If you are lucky enough to own an antique grandfather clock, you have learned that the clock needs a good bit of attention. Keeping your clock clean inside and out must be done with great care. Failing to follow some simple rules can not only reduce the monetary value of your clock but spoil its aesthetic appeal as well.

Cleaning the Movement

Mechanical timepieces need regular and careful cleaning. Removing dirt and debris is how we typically think of the term to clean. When it comes to cleaning grandfather and grandmother clocks, pocket watches and other mechanical timepieces, cleaning involves more than just removing dirt.

The primary mechanical movement in a grandfather clock includes a swinging pendulum and counter weights clock. Similar to other clock movements, a series of gears and springs powers the hands of the clock in very precise increments. Like any piece of machinery, clocks have points where metal surfaces that wear against each other. Like the oil in your car engine, oil and grease used in the clock movement helps to reduce friction between moving parts.

In general, grandfather clock movements are not completely sealed. Over time, dust and other contaminants settle inside the movement. The dust will inevitably bond to the oil and grease used to lubricate the mechanism. Once contaminated with dust particles, the lubricants can act as an abrasive, grinding away and eroding the surface it was designed to protect. So instead of the lubricants reducing the wear of moving parts, contaminated lubricants can greatly accelerate wear. This is exactly the same process that occurs in an automobile engine. Oil that once prevented excessive wear becomes contaminated and damages internal moving parts.

Bearings and other wearing surfaces that once had a precise fit, gradually wear beyond their design tolerances. Once these parts are worn, simple cleaning will no longer be sufficient to keep the clock in an operational condition. Imagine an automobile engine where the bearings have been damaged by excessive wear. Simply flushing out the old oil and replacing it with fresh oil will not fix the problem. The engine will inevitably fail, requiring extensive repair or replacement.

Owners of grandfather and grandmother clocks who have not followed a regular program of cleaning and lubrication often learn a hard lesson. A clock that once kept good time, chimed beautifully and was otherwise trouble free begins to have problems. Accuracy falls off or worse yet, the clock stops completely. The small bearings and other wear points in the movement of the clock can actually seize up, stopping the movement all together. In order to keep your grandfather or grandmother clock in good working condition, it is important to have the movement cleaned and lubricated.

The emphasis is on cleaning. The oils and grease used to lubricate your clock will lose their viscosity over time. Viscosity is defined as the ability of the lubricant to flow in the way it was design. Even the best lubricates lose their design properties over time. The lubricant will often thicken and slow the movement. Properly removing the old lubricants is an essential part of cleaning the movement of your clock.

Cleaning is not necessarily a do it yourself project and should be done by a professional. A qualified professional will clean the movement, removing dirt and old lubricants. After a thorough cleaning new lubricants are added in precise amounts and in the proper locations. Too much oil will end up in places where it does not belong, attracting dirt and dust. Too little oil will not adequately lubricate critical parts.

Like any type of precision machinery, clock movements require specialized oils and grease. Clock movements are complicated in design and the novice may miss critical lubrication points. Using the wrong cleaning solutions and lubricants may damage the movement, requiring extensive repair or replacement. Cleaning kits for grandfather clocks are available for the nonprofessional and can be a cost effective for the clock owner who confident about tackling the job.

Cleaning the Case

In general, antiques are fragile. The sturdiest piece of antique wood furniture can have a finish that requires special care. Modern finishes and stains are much more durable than products used centuries ago. From the standpoint of pure functionality, varnish and other wood finishes are considered sacrificial. By sacrificial I mean that the finish is there to protect the wood. Early woodworkers were not thinking about what a grandfather clock might be worth one hundred years later. Their main concern was to protect the wood.

Refinishing old wood was done to repair damage and restore the wood to its previous beauty and utility. Refinishing antique wood will often reduce the value as an antique. The same is true with antique grandfather clocks. If you have a truly antique clock, the rule of thumb is the same for any antiques. Take great care not to damage the original finish.

There are several schools of thought when it comes to cleaning antique wood clocks. A long time friend of mine has done fine furniture restorations for over thirty years. He has consistently advised me to use cool water and a clean cloth rag to clean my antique wood furniture. The cloth should be rung almost dry and the surface of the wood should be lightly wiped.

His reasoning is simple. The introduction of chemicals and oils can potentially break down old varnish over time. The goal, he says, is to maintain the integrity of the original finish for as long as possible. Now this is just a general rule. Some restoration professionals may advise using oils based cleaners depending on the age and condition of the clocks finish.

Many antique floor and grandfather clocks have glass enclosures. For aesthetic reasons if for no other, the glass should be kept clean. That bargain window cleaner may work just fine everywhere else around your home, except your antique grandfather clock. The harsh chemicals in commercial glass cleaners can too easily come in contact with the surrounding wood, so avoid using chemicals at all cost.

Some folks use vinegar mixed with water as a glass cleaner and that is fine for windows. Since vinegar is mildly acidic, do not use it to clean the glass of your antique floor clock. The acerbic qualities of the vinegar may soften and weaken the varnish. Warm water and soft cloth are your best bet. Simply wipe down the glass with the damp cloth and use a dry cloth to dry and polish the glass.

Grandfather and grandmother clocks are beautiful, classic and often reflect sentimental value beyond their monetary value. Properly cleaning and maintaining your clock can add years to the working life of the movement, protecting its value.