Brass French Clock

[macaw]

I'm looking for any information on the age and if the entire clock and side pieces were originally gold gilt. If they were I'll have a lot of plating to do. It's a count wheel, bell strike, round movement with no makers mark, suspension spring, (not silk thread) glass back door. The bottoms of the side pieces still have the gilt.
Thanks,
Mark

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[zedric]

If there is any gilding left, then yes it would have originally been gilded. People love to polish things, and brass polish can cut through thin gold plating in no time, leaving the base metal. But the polish doesn’t get into the dips and crevices, so the gold survives there longer... doesn’t mean you have to re plate, you could simply polish and lacquer the brass if you like it like that.

But are you sure this is brass and not spelter?

 

[JTD]

But are you sure this is brass and not spelter?

I am wondering about that too.

But whether it is brass or spelter, you could restore the gilded look by using Rub'n'Buff or other similar products.

JTD

 

[macaw]

It's all brass and very solid. I'll be replating the clock and side pieces. The hard part is the preparation, the plating is easy.

 

[Uhralt]

It's all brass and very solid. I'll be replating the clock and side pieces. The hard part is the preparation, the plating is easy.

Just be aware that electroplating will produce quite a different finish than the original fire gilding using a gold amalgam. Many people don't like the too shiny finish of the electroplating.

Uhralt

 

[macaw]

Would the original be a more of a matte finish? If so, I may be able to replicate it.

 

[brian fisher]

i'm pretty sure the original finish was put on with a process that uses hot mercury. it isn't in practice today because of environmental and health issues

 

[JTD]

Just be aware that electroplating will produce quite a different finish than the original fire gilding using a gold amalgam. Many people don't like the too shiny finish of the electroplating.

Uhralt is right. Plating (which will be expensive) will not produce a finish anything like the original. That is why I suggested using a hand-applied finish.

JTD

 

[gmorse]

Hi Brian,

it isn't in practice today because of environmental and health issues

There are still a few people doing mercury gilding. There's Dirk Meyer in Germany, and I believe there are some in the US, all taking proper precautions to protect themselves and the environment from the poisonous mercury vapour. As you'd expect, all very expensive!

Regards,

Graham

 

[macaw]

I do my own plating so cost isn't an issue. I haven't heard of Rub'n'Buff so I'll check that out and try it.
Thanks,
Mark

 

[gleber]

I have used rub-n-buff on several projects and found it worked well. You can see photos and tips in a few of my posts. Search for rub-n-buff and posted by me. Use - not '.

Tom