Refilling a Slate (?) dial

[f.webster]

I have this French clock that I am restoring. Some have suggested that the dial is slate. It looks to be engraved and filled with gold paint (?). I would like to clean the old out and refill the numbers etc. Please give you advice and wise counsel.

Thanks in advance.

 

[f.webster]

50+ views and no suggestions. Well, let's just figure it out.

First you have to take the dial apart and see exactly what we are dealing with.

 

[demoman3955]

too many differing opinions, and im far from knowing anything about that topic, but i like the face as it is, but i dont like a new looking clocks anyway. Id try doing a search on the subject, because ive seen photos of it being done somewhere.

 

[f.webster]

Do the things you know how to do. So, after carefully taking the dial assembly apart, I cleaned the metal pieces. Still doing the research necessary to feel confident addressing the slate face. I have re-silvered dials and am thinking the process will be similar yet not exactly the same. I have also filled engraved lettering on pocket watch bridges. Another process like I am considering.

Comments?

 

[gmorse]

Hi f.webster,

It looks more like marble than slate; most of the black French mantel cases described as slate are actually made of marble, which takes a very good polish. The gold coloured incised lines on these marble cases can be restored with a gold felt tip marker and any excess scraped off before it dries fully with the edge of a credit card. This produces a clean result and I see no reason to expect that this marble dial would be any different. A bonus is that it's reversible if you don't like the finished effect.

Regards,

Graham

 

[f.webster]

With what I have been reading, I plan on cleaning and polishing before I try to fill the etched numbers etc.. Once I am happy with the results, I am thinking of sealing it with something (?).

Thanks for the input Graham

 

[roughbarked]

Have you thought of using gold leaf to fill the numerals?