There are many pros to owning a mechanical clock, they are decorative and give your home a classic appearance. They come in a variety of styles and sizes. The premise behind them is much alike no matter what type you choose from. A mantle clock, a grandfather clock, a cuckoo clock, all have a similar mechanism within that operate in much the same way. In order to keep your clock in its best working condition, you must not only keep it wound but also clean it regularly so that the internal mechanisms do not clog up with dust and other debris. It can also be a good way to ensure that all of the parts within your clock are in good working order and do not need replacing. Here we will discuss the best ways to keep your mechanical clock in the best shape possible.
Get a Good Cleaning Kit
You can purchase good quality clock cleaning kit online and in some stores. This can include a cleaning fluid that will help to clean the mechanical elements. Now the specific method of cleaning depends entirely on the clocks age, but some general rules to follow are listed below. First you will need to disassemble the clock movement and place all parts that can be cleaned using the cleaning fluid into a tray. From here you can add the fluid, make sure to take the spring from the barrel before placing it in the fluid.
Try a Clock Repair Shop
An antique clock repair shop if available to you will have some tips and tricks as well as a compatible cleaning fluid for your specific clock. Once doused in the cleaning fluid you may remove each piece one by one and brush them with a soft brush. Take note of all the nooks and crannies in the pieces and clean them with sharpened pegwood. You can clean the pinion leaves with the soft brush and a rag while the teeth of the wheels can be wiped down with pith.
Finally, wipe down the mainspring and clean the clock plate. Dry the plates and clean out all of the holes and oil sinks to remove any old oil that is lurking within, this can also be done with pegwood. Once all pieces are thoroughly cleaned and dry you can begin to reassemble the movement and place it back inside your mechanical masterpiece. It should be working like new and run well from now until the next cleaning. This can be done yearly, or more often if you have the time or find that it begins to work less than optimally.
Credited to: ticktockclocks
