Don't Wash your Face

[hdsoftail03]

Ok not sure if this is the best forum for this but didn't seem to fit in any other either. I picked up a Seth Thomas #3 tambour at a sale. It has the #89 movement, which needs some work, and the case was in fair shape. Well over years dials get dirty and someone thought they would clean it. Yep as you know they pretty much cleaned it out of existence. Now I can rebuild movements, and restore wood cases but have never had a handle on what to do to restore dials. I've heard of a couple of places that do this but have no idea if it's going to be worth the shipping and restoration cost, or if it's possilbe with this dial. What do you think.

[Kevin W.]

Any pictures of the dial.
Yes many learn the hard way about cleaning dials. A little research could have paid off for you. I made the same mistake once, then you learn the hard way.

[Len Lataille]

V: He didnt clean the dial. He bought it that way. The previous owner learned the hard way.

hd: I believe there is another Forum on "Reverse Glass and Dial Paining".

You might get more info there.

I think that you will find that having it done will be more than you want to pay.

I would suggest taking a copy of what is there. Then remove the remains. Look for photos of what a typical dial would look like and use that copy to redo the dial the best that you can.

Might help if you have an art talented friend.

The supply catalogs do have transfers that you can use.

You might even paste on a paper dial until you can find another one to replace the bad one.

Since it's your clock, it only has to look as good as it pleases you.

Good luck.

[hdsoftail03]

Yep Bought it that way. I knew a long time ago not to try and clean these things. Will search for the forum on dials. Thanks

[Thyme]

Ok not sure if this is the best forum for this but didn't seem to fit in any other either. I picked up a Seth Thomas #3 tambour at a sale. It has the #89 movement, which needs some work, and the case was in fair shape. Well over years dials get dirty and someone thought they would clean it. Yep as you know they pretty much cleaned it out of existence. Now I can rebuild movements, and restore wood cases but have never had a handle on what to do to restore dials. I've heard of a couple of places that do this but have no idea if it's going to be worth the shipping and restoration cost, or if it's possilbe with this dial. What do you think.

It would help to see photos of what remains of it. I restore dials and would be happy to help you. You will find more information and advice at my website (click here).

[Kevin W.]

Not awake yet, just one coffee. I have bought clocks too before someone tried to improve the dial this way.

[LaBounty]

The Seth Thomas dials with the white frosted look used water soluble ink which is easily wiped off. I suspect that was what happened. Here is a photo of one of those dials for future reference...

[moe1942]

Yep Bought it that way. I knew a long time ago not to try and clean these things. Will search for the forum on dials. Thanks

Me too...

[shutterbug]

Keep an eye on ebay. There's bunches of old busted clocks that might have a good matching dial I imagine Dial House or a similar place would do it for you, but I don't think it's cheap There's also a member here to does dials, but can't think of who it is right now

[moe1942]

Keep an eye on ebay. There's bunches of old busted clocks that might have a good matching dial I imagine Dial House or a similar place would do it for you, but I don't think it's cheap There's also a member here to does dials, but can't think of who it is right now

I think it is thyme (sic)...

[Len Lataille]

Lab

You are a difficult person to argue with, however I have washed with soap and water dozens if not more of the ST dials that you show.

One of the few dials that I feel comfortable cleaning.

Maybe you had one that had been "retouched" in ink? I have seen that before.

I cant imagine a maker like ST, in the 20th century making dials that the "housewife" could not clean. If they were that poorly done, almost none would survive today.

Having said this, if the dial was cleaned with anything other than water and ivory soap, then all bets are off.

A very good example is Windex or anything with ammonia. Some figure if it's good at cleaning the glass, it should be good on the dial.

Result: disaster!

[Scottie-TX]

Yeah; I did it more than once. Most memorable was my very first Atwater Kent tombstone radio and boy was I proud of it. Under running water I commenced cleaning the beautiful tricolor dial. Moments later I had a clear piece of Atwater Kent glass. SHEESH!

[LaBounty]

Hey Len-

I argue with myself all the time!

And now that I think about it, I'll bet it WAS Windex that I used years ago on one of these. Fortunately, it was my own clock and I stopped long before any damage was noticeable. However, I am very careful with this particular style of dial because of that one instance but will give mild soap and water a try... now that I know for sure .

Thanks for correcting me!

[Scottie-TX]

I just don't know how Windex pulls it off. Maybe it's a band-aid Q-tip Kleenex thing. I have thought for years that Windex is the worst product you can put on glass.

[Len Lataille]

Windex never worked for me on GLASS either. There are all kinds of Windex variations today that might work better. But I just as soon keep it away from dials.

David:

Just to be absoluely certain I just went to my workshop an took out a spare ST dial as you had shown.

I used warm water and ivory soap (liquid), not diswashing liquid, and cleaned the dial nicely.

Some of the stains remain, especially oil but at lest there was no damage to the dial.

If I can find a dial bad enough to sacrifice I will try Dawn dishwashing liquid and see if I can get oil stains off with no damage.