Using Bergeon Dial Wax to Fill a Porcelain Dial Chip

[Les Tyrala]

As many times as I have used this Bergeon 1590 product (the same product is sold in France and the UK) through many years, it continues to be a hit or miss proposition for me whether the hard wax will adhere well to the chipped area or just stay on the porcelain dial by shear will power. I have tried multiple solvent cleanings, abrading the surface with a tiny Dremel grinding stone or diamond chip ball, and applying heat in many different ways. I have no problem working the cooled wax, when it chooses to remain in-place after 2-? tries, to an very acceptable surface and painting in numbers and dial markings. I have seen threads here before, but have not proved to be the cure for this adherence problem. New suggestions?

[Thyme]

As many times as I have used this Bergeon 1590 product (the same product is sold in France and the UK) through many years, it continues to be a hit or miss proposition for me whether the hard wax will adhere well to the chipped area or just stay on the porcelain dial by shear will power. I have tried multiple solvent cleanings, abrading the surface with a tiny Dremel grinding stone or diamond chip ball, and applying heat in many different ways. I have no problem working the cooled wax, when it chooses to remain in-place after 2-? tries, to an very acceptable surface and painting in numbers and dial markings. I have seen threads here before, but have not proved to be the cure for this adherence problem. New suggestions?

Let me see if I understand you correctly. You are using wax as a filler to repair a chip on a porcelain dial? And then you painting over it? I can understand the use of wax filler on wood, but not on enameled metal.

I think there might be better ways of doing this.

As always, a photo is worth a thousand words. ;)

[Les Tyrala]

This Bergeon product has been around for many years and is a purpose-made, meltable hard wax for filling in chips on fired porcelain on copper dials. Any painting that I do on this surface is to only correct for chipped out black or dark blue numerals, numbers and seconds marks. I bought my tin of this product years ago while in Paris. I was told last night that Timesavers carries this same product and I just checked (see page 68).

[harold bain]

Hi. Les, welcome to the message board. I hadn't noticed this product before, and may include it in my next parts order. Is it possible that it has a shelf life, and yours is past the best before date?

[Les Tyrala]

Hello Harold, thanks for the welcome. Concerning the product shelf life, the adherence condition is a constant, that is, whether the tin is new or years old does not seem to make a diffrence. Sometimes the bonding is acceptable, but many times it is just marginal. For an undemanding dial repair, for example the corner of a carriage clock dial, the adherence is acceptable. For a demanding dial repair, for example the edge of a winding hole, the adherence becomes a significant problem. For appearance this is the best method that I have found through the years. The product does not come with instructions. If there is better method to achieve both an excellent color match and adherence, I'll try something else. Thanks.

[harold bain]

Les, I have used something called "Porc-a-Fix", a porcelain touchup glaze. It works, but isn't a perfect color match. The Seth Thomas in my picture has a big chip by the center arbor. I have been trying to think of a good way to fill that in. The glaze won't work with the thickness I need. May need to use some epoxy first to build it up.

[Les Tyrala]

I haven't used Porc-a-Fix, but have noted the imperfect color when I have seen the results of others. Actually your ST dial is a good candidate for the Bergeon dial wax, that is, it is in a protected area of the dial. The Bergeon attributes are: can quickly fill a chip even right down to the copper substrate, nearly perfect color match right out of the tin, easily levelled during cooling, the cooled surface can be nicely shaped with minimal effort and, finally, can be buffed by hand to a high luster. This can be all done in less than 5 minutes total time. Bergeon negatives: erratic adherence, shrinkage cracks if not careful, and very brittle. Previously, I have emailed Bergeon for guidance (including this week) - no replies.

[harold bain]

Thanks, Les, I will definately order some to give it a try. One problem with this dial, is that the inner copper is bent, and I don't want to risk losing more of the porcelain by trying to flatten it back down. Matching the color is the hardest part in patching chips, and if the Bergeon paste is a good match, that's great. Let us know if you get any response from the factory.

[Thyme]

Thanks, Les, I will definately order some to give it a try. One problem with this dial, is that the inner copper is bent, and I don't want to risk losing more of the porcelain by trying to flatten it back down. Matching the color is the hardest part in patching chips, and if the Bergeon paste is a good match, that's great. Let us know if you get any response from the factory.

If you can afford it, (or more specifically, and/or if you have a good working relationship with your dentist) ask him/her to do cosmetic dentistry on the dial. That utilizes a light-cured, durable composite filling, done to an exact shade match.

Believe me, that process and result will be as close to being perfect and undetectable as can be expected.

But ultimately it depends on what the overall worth of the clock is. (Don't expect to get that level of professional expertise in repairing your dial for ten bucks...) :^

[Les Tyrala]

Harold, I have used the Bergeon wax on bent copper dials, and doing minimal straightening to the extent necessary to have the requisite flat area to complete the wax fill-in. My experience has shown that the wax adheres to the copper somewhat better if a pointed grinding stone or diamond chip tip in a Dremel, or Dremel-like, tool is used. I suspect that the copper compounds forming on the aging copper form something of a barrier, plus the roughing of the copper substrate gives the wax some purchase on the copper surface. If Bergeon decides to give me a reply, I'll provide an update here. I like the sound of enlisting the skills of a dentist. Considering how much money he has extracted via my teeth, I / we should get the dial service gratis! A curious dentist may find this dial work an interesting challenge, and do the work for a reasonable amount? Worth the inquiry ...