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Priory Polishes Antique Clock Dial Silvering Powder & Finishing Powder is a traditional silvering system for restoring the appearance of suitable brass and copper clock dials.
Antique Clock Dial Silvering Powder & Finishing Powder is a traditional silvering system for restoring the appearance of suitable brass and copper clock dials.
Priory Polishes has supplied clock dial silvering powder to the horological trade and clock restorers for many years. The powder is made to a traditional recipe and is intended to reproduce the type of silvered finish associated with antique and traditional clock dials.
It can be used for re-silvering suitable brass clock dials, copper dials, clock faces and chapter rings.
The silvering powder works through a chemical reaction with the exposed metal surface. Careful preparation and cleanliness are therefore essential for achieving an even finish.
Available in 50g and 100g sizes.
Clock Dial Silvering Powder is used to restore the silvered appearance of suitable antique and vintage clock dials where the original silvering has become worn, damaged or discoloured.
Typical applications include:
The powder is particularly useful when the underlying dial is clean, suitable brass or copper and the original silvered surface needs to be restored.
This product contains both the materials required for the traditional silvering and finishing stages:
The product is available in 50g and 100g sizes.
If you are carrying out a complete clock dial restoration and also require lacquer and black engravers wax, our Clock Dial Silvering Restoration Kit contains the silvering powder, finishing powder, Silver/Brass Lacquer and both hard and soft Black Engravers Wax.
Successful clock dial silvering depends on thorough preparation and careful handling. The dial should be clean, free from grease and suitable for the silvering process before the powder is applied.
The general restoration process is:
The condition and construction of the individual dial will determine exactly how much preparation is required before silvering.
Before applying the silvering powder, the old finish and damaged silver should be removed so that clean brass or copper is exposed.
Use suitable fine abrasive paper or very fine steel wool to clean the dial back to the underlying metal.
For a traditional spun brass dial effect, the dial can be rotated around a fixed point while fine emery paper is held against the surface. This creates the circular grain commonly associated with many traditional clock dials.
Once the surface has been prepared, rinse the dial thoroughly and make sure it is free from grease and other contamination.
Do not touch the prepared metal with your bare fingers. Fingerprints are one of the most common causes of uneven silvering.
Engraved clock dials often require the numerals to be restored before the silvering process.
Black Engravers Wax can be used to fill the recessed numerals and markings. If the original wax is cracked but still present, gently warming the dial can allow the cracks in the existing wax to close.
If the wax is missing or insufficient, small flakes of Black Engravers Wax can be added to the engraved numerals and gently warmed.
Once the wax has cooled, any excess can be carefully levelled so that the surface is flush with the surrounding dial.
Our Black Engravers Wax – Dial Wax is available separately in both hard and soft formulations.
Once the dial has been properly prepared, the silvering powder can be applied.
The silvering process works through a chemical reaction with the exposed metal. As the powder is worked into the surface, the silvered appearance will begin to develop.
Do not rush the process. Work methodically across the entire dial to help achieve an even result.
Once the desired silver colour has been achieved, the Finishing Powder is applied.
Use damp cotton wool and work the finishing powder over the surface in the direction of the dial grain.
Once the finishing process is complete, rinse the dial thoroughly to remove all remaining finishing powder.
It is important that no finishing powder residue remains on the surface before the dial is dried and protected.
Thorough drying is extremely important.
Some clock dials can retain moisture, particularly around cracks, stress fractures and engraved areas. Remaining moisture can affect the silvering overnight and may result in the brass becoming patchy or the silver effect being lost.
After the finishing powder stage:
A hairdryer can be used to warm the dial carefully. If using another heat source, keep the dial well away from a naked flame and take appropriate precautions.
Once the dial is completely dry, a clear Silver/Brass Lacquer can be applied to protect the restored surface and help reduce subsequent oxidation.
For engraved clock dials, the first coat should be particularly light.
Apply a quick, thin coat using a soft cotton cloth or cotton wool pad and allow it to dry before applying further lacquer.
Do not apply excessive lacquer to engraved dials. Too much lacquer can cause the dial wax to melt and run.
Our Silver/Brass Lacquer is available separately if additional lacquer is required.
Clock Dial Silvering Powder is a traditional restoration product used to restore the silvered appearance of suitable brass and copper clock dials, clock faces and chapter rings.
The Silvering Powder creates the silvered finish through a chemical reaction with the prepared metal. The Finishing Powder is then used as part of the finishing process to help develop and complete the restored surface.
Yes. The product is specifically intended for re-silvering suitable clean brass clock dials.
Yes. The powder can be used on suitable clean copper dials as well as brass.
No. The product is not suitable for aluminium.
No. The powder is designed to react with clean exposed brass or copper. Existing plating needs to be removed before attempting to silver the underlying suitable metal.
No. Existing lacquer must be removed before silvering because the powder needs to react directly with the exposed metal.
No. Silvering powder can react badly with soft solder. All soft solder should be completely removed before silvering.
One of the most common causes is contamination from fingerprints, grease or dirt between cleaning the metal and applying the silvering powder. Moisture retained in cracks and stress fractures can also affect the result.
Some dials retain moisture after the finishing process. If moisture remains in cracks or stress fractures, it can affect the silvering overnight. Thoroughly drying both sides of the dial and carefully warming it can help prevent this problem.
Once the dial has been thoroughly cleaned, avoid touching the prepared surface with bare hands. Use clean gloves or handle the dial only by areas that will not be silvered.
A spun effect can be created by placing a nail in a piece of old board and rotating the dial around it while holding fine emery paper against the surface. This produces the circular grain associated with many traditional spun clock dials.
Use Black Engravers Wax to fill the recessed numerals and markings. If the original wax is cracked, gently warming it can help close the cracks. Missing areas can be filled with additional wax and then levelled once cool.
Apply the powder to slightly dampened cotton wool and work it into the clean metal in a circular motion. Work across the dial in small sections while keeping the cotton wool damp.
After achieving the desired silver colour, apply the Finishing Powder with damp cotton wool, working in the direction of the dial grain. Rinse thoroughly afterwards to remove all remaining powder.
It is extremely important. Moisture left in cracks, stress fractures or other areas of the dial can affect the silvering result overnight. Dry both sides thoroughly and warm the dial carefully to ensure that it is completely dry.
A clear Silver/Brass Lacquer can be applied once the dial is completely dry to protect the restored finish and reduce oxidation. Lacquer is optional, but can provide useful protection.
Use a very light first coat. Excessive lacquer can cause the Black Engravers Wax to melt and run. A quick swipe with a soft cotton cloth or cotton wool pad is normally sufficient for the first coat.
The powder is light sensitive. When stored correctly in a cool, dry and dark place, the stated shelf life is approximately 2–6 years if unopened.
Antique Clock Dial Silvering Powder & Finishing Powder is available in 50g and 100g sizes.
Yes, provided the dial is made from suitable clean brass or copper and does not have an unsuitable plated or lacquered surface. The product is used by clock restorers for antique clock dial and chapter ring restoration.
Yes. Suitable brass and copper barometer dials can also be restored using the traditional silvering process.
The silvering and finishing powders provide the main silvering materials. Depending on the condition of the dial, you may also need Black Engravers Wax, suitable abrasives and Silver/Brass Lacquer to complete the restoration.
For convenience, our Clock Dial Silvering Restoration Kit contains the main materials required for a complete restoration, including silvering powder, finishing powder, lacquer and both hard and soft Black Engravers Wax.
This is not due to lacquer or the wax as it is happening too quickly. The two most likely causes are either the surface of the brass or waxed numerals has grease or contamination in it, where tiny blowholes or wax cracking contains impurities, or the Silvering is not taking sufficiently enough. The first is corrected by scrubbing the surface with a de-greaser like benzine or lighter fuel and then redoing it. The second is make sure the dial is wet enough when silvering. Silvering takes better on a wet dial.
From our customers
Verified ownerOn time as usual
Verified ownerExcellent product promptly delivered
Verified ownerVery pleased with my first attempt at silvering a chapter ring so with more confidence re-silvered the chapter ring, second hand dial and name medallion on another of my clocks. Both clocks look great.
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