Some before and after pics...All Seth Thomas

[gtodude2]

Here are some before and after pics of the clocks that I have. I think that they polished up very well. The 1899 model with the wreaths on the front is my newest acquisition.

Enjoy!!

 

[gtodude2]

Here are more. The last one is an Ingraham obviously, but I added it because it too is a new find. The last 3 don't have before pics as they were fairly decent when I found them.

 

[Paul Regan]

Very nice looking clocks!

 

[Kevin W.]

All very nice clocks, thanks for posting them.

 

[timewaster]

Nice work. I love to see the old ones looking as close to way they would have looked when they left the makers hands.

Bob

 

[MQ32shooter]

Excellent work. Those clocks are beautiful!!

 

[malcolmt]

Hi GTODUDE

How about an instructional post about your personal methods for cleaning and bringing back to such a fantastic standard of these wonderful clocks. I have a couple of splendid slate clocks that i would love to see as good as yours.
Thanks for showing me what can be acheived.

Kind regards

Malcolm

 

[Sooth]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I liked most of the before pictures better. The clocks looked old, now they all look too shiny and new. It's not so bad for the black ones and the adamantines, but it would have been nice to at least keep some of the cast metal pieces with their original finishes. I especially don't like the fittings that now have an orange copper look to them. I don't believe they were originally this colour.

Don't get me wrong, you did a nice job, but they just don't look old anymore. They look like they could easily be reproductions.

 

[gtodude2]

All of my clocks but one has the original finish on the metalwork except that I put a clear finish on them to protect the remaining finish from disappearing. The one that doesn't have the original plating, has copper leafing applied, which if I had a way to plate them I'd do that instead. I know the die hards think that you should leave the dirt on them and not clean them at all. Unfortunately for those that think that, mold, mildew, dust, and grime do not fly in our house and they get cleaned inside and out. The health and happiness of my wife and 6 children come first to the nasty ravages of time.

Personally the way I look at it is this...if the owners of these clocks actually took care of them properly, they would still look like the finished polished clock anyhow minus the clear finish on the metal. I know these are clocks and they aren't old cars, but I like to compare them anyhow. If you bought an old Model T that was completely original but looked horrible due to years of neglect, and all it took was some elbow grease and time to polish it up without repainting it or changing the originality of it at all, would you leave it covered in filth in order to please others, or would you polish it up and enjoy it as the beautiful original antique it is?

Or how about an old Victorian home...would you buy it in disrepair and keep it that way or would you bring it back to it's original beauty?

Sorry for the rant but I figured I'd give my 2 cents on this subject. I understand everyone has their own opinions too and appreciate everyones comments.

Oh, one last question! Are those who are true to keeping the clocks dirty and original in favor of keeping the movements dirty and non-working as well? It would only make sense in my opinion.

 

[Arthur Cagle]

SNIP I know the die hards think that you should leave the dirt on them and not clean them at all. Unfortunately for those that think that, mold, mildew, dust, and grime do not fly in our house and they get cleaned inside and out. The health and happiness of my wife and 6 children come first to the nasty ravages of time. SNIP

Oh, one last question! Are those who are true to keeping the clocks dirty and original in favor of keeping the movements dirty and non-working as well? It would only make sense in my opinion.

Respectfully, there is a difference between "patina" and "filth", "original" and "dirty". You can clean a clock without removing the patina gained with age (not from neglect), which I believe is Sooth's point. I clean my clocks well, but strive to retain the patina...this is somewhat akin to the lines in the face of an elderly person...some look upon the lines and creases as hallmarks earned by a long life, while others prefer plastic surgery in a vain attempt to regain a more youthful appearance. I personally prefer my antiques to look like what they are, i.e., antiques, not a brand new reproduction. However, I do have clocksmiths whom I admire for their abilities and kindness in sharing their knowledge who refinish their clocks to look factory new, and I respect their opinion without agreeing with it. To each his own!o
Arthur

 

[catriona]

They are beautiful! Please do share what you did to clean up these clocks with us. I have some marble or adamantine clocks to work on, but mostly, I have been lucky in that mine just need a 'good cleaning' to get rid of the grime, dirt, etc. However, I've also made the mistake (IMHO, of course!) of removing the patina and not being happy about it. I want mine to be clean, yet look their age. So, I try to preserve the patina and not work too hard on cleaning up dials. They are usually the worst for wear anyway, and do serve to give the clock that 'aged' look.

gtodude2, I posted pictures of a shelf clock and asked what I should do about refinishing it and I got a mix of 'leave it alone' and 'refinish it'. It's really up to you and what you like.

 

[malcolmt]

Hi Folks

Surely what we are talking about here is a matter of personal preference.
I like the old car analogy. How many old cars do we see that have been RESTORED to their pristine condition, And how many do we see in their original condition, With rust, dents, Worn torn and faded upholstery.
If i could encourage GTODUDE to write a thread on his RESTORATION tecniques I would be a very happy bunny.
If someone wrote a thread on bringing their clock back to a beautiful PATINATED condition i would also be very pleased. I would read and learn from both and make my own choices as can any body else.
I have two slate clocks, One in quite good condition needing only a little cleaning, Movement serviced and it is done. However the other clock is in very poor condition, The slate is stained and very patchy grey in colour With all the engraved line work gone. the movement is complete and also in need of a service. However the case needs a complete restoration. MY choice on this clock is to be able to bring it back to the condition that GTODUDE has managed to achieve with his.
We are only custodians of these pieces ( i hope my current clocks go on to keep good time and a smile on the face of future custodians for many years to come) If i hadn't rescued this clock it would be lost to us all forever as it was going in the local dump. Am i wrong to want it RESTORED to it's original condition or should i just have watched it get smashed into a thousand pieces by the digger ?

No offense meant or intended to anyone.

Kind regards

Malcolm