Cleaning 200+ year old brass tarnished movement plates.

[mikeinjax]

I have read many things on how not to clean or remove tarnish from and old cast English movement, but little to nothing on how to remove the tarnish. Your thoughts would be helpful. Also an opinion on whether to completely silver the dial 0r leave it brass?

 

[Mike Phelan]

The chapter ring and seconds arbor would originally silver and the rest of the dial brass. The hands blued. Then lacquered.

I have used Horolene (qv) to clean plates and wheels, though many frown on these. Then all washed with petrol or meths (outside!) and dried.

 

[mikeinjax]

The chapter ring and seconds arbor would originally silver and the rest of the dial brass. The hands blued. Then lacquered.

I have used Horolene (qv) to clean plates and wheels, though many frown on these. Then all washed with petrol or meths (outside!) and dried.

The chapter ring and seconds arbor would originally silver and the rest of the dial brass. The hands blued. Then lacquered.

I have used Horolene (qv) to clean plates and wheels, though many frown on these. Then all washed with petrol or meths (outside!) and dried.

Thanks Mike, I will try that on Clock movement plates. As for the dial, it is a one piece dial. Trying to silver just the chapter ring could be difficult. It’s either silver the whole dial or leaving it polished brass.

 

[Mike Phelan]

It's not difficult silvering, Mike. Now I can see that there's not a separate chapter ring - it's just one dial.

Silvering isn't difficult using :

Antique Clock Dial Silvering Powder & Finishing Powder - Priory Polishes

Priory Polishes Antique Clock Dial Silvering Powder & Finishing Powder, used by the Horological trade and clock restorers for Silvering Brass Dials .

priorypolishes.co.uk

You don't need to disturb the numerals.

 

[Schatznut]

That dial is exquisite! What does the indicator behind the square hole do - is it for date?

 

[tracerjack]

If it were mine, I’d silver the entire dial. I think it would look magnificent. One thing I like about the result of the silvering process is that it has a subdued shine. The dials still look old, but no longer tired and sad looking. There are videos online of old dials being silvered. Viewing those might help you make a decision by giving you an idea of how your dial might look if silvered.

 

[mikeinjax]

That dial is exquisite! What does the indicator behind the square hole do - is it for date?

yes, that is for the date.

 

[mikeinjax]

If it were mine, I’d silver the entire dial. I think it would look magnificent. One thing I like about the result of the silvering process is that it has a subdued shine. The dials still look old, but no longer tired and sad looking. There are videos online of old dials being silvered. Viewing those might help you make a decision by giving you an idea of how your dial might look if silvered.

I have watched some of those YouTube videos of silvering Dials, must admit, I watch them more than once. My last order from Timesavers I did get a silver and kit. I had it in my mind to Silvert the entire dial, but wanting an opinion on what would be most appropriate. I like to restore back to what would have been original, as close as possible.

 

[mikeinjax]

I have watched some of those YouTube videos of silvering Dials, must admit, I watch them more than once. My last order from Timesavers I did get a silver and kit. I had it in my mind to Silver the entire dial, but wanting an opinion on what would be most appropriate. I like to restore back to what would have been original, as close as possible. Did anyone notice the fox face on the dial?