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Priory Polishes Clock Dial Silvering Restoration Kit has been specially put together for restoring and re-silvering suitable brass and copper clock dials, clock faces and chapter rings. The kit includes –
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Priory Polishes Clock Dial Silvering Restoration Kit has been specially put together for restoring and re-silvering suitable brass and copper clock dials, clock faces and chapter rings.
The kit contains the main materials required to restore the silvered appearance of an antique clock dial, including silvering powder, finishing powder, silver/brass lacquer and black engravers wax.
It is suitable for clock and barometer dial restoration and is designed for restorers, clockmakers, horologists and anyone undertaking the restoration of a suitable antique clock dial.
The kit combines products that are also available individually, making it a convenient option when carrying out a complete clock dial silvering restoration.
The Clock Dial Silvering Restoration Kit contains:
The wax sticks are approximately 1cm x 8cm.
The combination of silvering powder, finishing powder, lacquer and engravers wax provides a practical set of materials for carrying out a complete clock dial restoration.
The Clock Dial Silvering Restoration Kit is designed for restoring the appearance of suitable antique and vintage clock dials where the original silvered finish has become worn, damaged or discoloured.
Typical applications include:
The kit is particularly useful where the original dial has lost its silvered appearance but the underlying brass or copper dial is suitable for re-silvering.
Successful clock dial silvering depends heavily on careful preparation and cleanliness. The silvering powder works through a chemical reaction with the metal surface, so grease and fingerprints can interfere with the process and result in uneven colouring.
A typical restoration process involves:
The exact process and preparation required will depend on the condition and construction of the individual dial.
Cleanliness is critical. Fingerprints or grease left on the metal between cleaning and applying the silvering powder can cause uneven silvering.
The 50g Silvering Powder included in the kit is intended for re-silvering suitable brass and copper clock dials.
The silvering powder works by a chemical reaction with the exposed metal surface. For this reason, the dial must be thoroughly clean and free from grease, fingerprints, lacquer and other coatings.
Do not touch the prepared dial with your bare hands. Even small amounts of grease from fingerprints can affect the reaction and produce uneven colouring.
The silvering powder should not be used on:
The product is intended for use on clean brass or copper dials.
Always test the complete process on a suitable area or spare piece before treating an important original dial.
The 50g Finishing Powder is used after the silvering process as part of the traditional clock dial restoration process.
Once the finishing powder stage has been completed, it is particularly important to ensure that the dial is thoroughly dry.
Some clock dials can retain moisture, particularly around cracks and stress fractures. Remaining moisture can affect the silvering result and may cause patchy colouring or a loss of the silver effect.
After the finishing powder process:
A hairdryer can be used to warm the dial carefully. If using any other heat source, take extreme care and keep the dial well away from a naked flame.
The kit includes both Black Hard Engravers Wax and Black Soft Engravers Wax for restoring engraved numerals and markings.
The hard wax provides a more traditional and hard-wearing finish, although it is more difficult to work.
When using hard wax, gently warming the workpiece can help the wax attach securely inside the engraved channel. The wax can then be gently melted and worked into the engraving using a metal knife or spatula.
The soft wax is easier to use and is particularly suitable for very thin or fine engravings.
It is easier to work into small details but is less stable than the hard wax when used in larger or deeper engravings.
For more information about choosing between the two types of wax, see our Black Engravers Wax – Dial Wax product.
The kit contains 100ml of Silver/Brass Lacquer to protect the restored dial after silvering.
When applying lacquer to an engraved clock dial, the first coat should be a very quick, light coat. Once the first coat has dried, subsequent coats can be applied more heavily if required.
Particular care is needed on engraved dials because applying too much lacquer can cause the dial wax to melt and run.
A soft cotton cloth or cotton wool pad can be used to apply the lacquer. A quick, light application should be allowed to dry before the surface is touched or another coat is applied.
Keep the lacquer coats particularly thin around engraved areas.
It is a complete set of materials for restoring and re-silvering suitable brass or copper clock dials, clock faces and chapter rings. The kit includes silvering powder, finishing powder, silver/brass lacquer and both hard and soft black engravers wax.
The kit contains 50g silvering powder, 50g finishing powder, 100ml silver/brass lacquer, one black hard engravers wax stick and one black soft engravers wax stick.
Yes. The silvering powder is intended for use on clean, suitable brass clock dials and is designed to restore their traditional silvered appearance.
Yes. The silvering powder can be used on suitable clean copper dials as well as brass.
No. The silvering powder is not suitable for aluminium.
No. The silvering powder requires exposed suitable metal and will not work correctly on plated dials.
No. Existing lacquer must be removed before the silvering process. The silvering powder needs to react with the exposed brass or copper surface.
The silvering powder works through a chemical reaction with the metal. Grease, oil and fingerprints can prevent the reaction from taking place evenly and can result in patchy silvering.
It is strongly recommended that you do not touch the prepared surface with bare hands. Fingerprints can leave grease on the metal and affect the silvering result.
Some dials can retain moisture, particularly around cracks and stress fractures. If the dial is not thoroughly dried after the finishing powder stage, retained moisture can affect the silvering result and cause patchy colouring.
After the finishing powder process, carefully dry both the front and back of the dial using separate clean cloths. The dial can then be warmed carefully, for example with a hairdryer, to ensure that cracks and stress fractures are thoroughly dry.
The black engravers wax is used to restore engraved numerals, markings and other recessed details on the clock dial.
The hard wax provides a more traditional and hard-wearing finish but is more difficult to apply. The soft wax is easier to use and is particularly suitable for very fine engravings, but it is less stable in larger engraved areas.
Gently warm the workpiece if appropriate, then gently melt the hard wax and work it into the engraved channel using a metal knife or spatula. Take care not to overheat the dial.
Yes. The soft wax is particularly useful for very thin and fine engraved details because it is easier to work into small channels.
Apply the first coat as a very quick, light coat and allow it to dry. Further coats can then be applied more heavily if required. Keep lacquer particularly thin over engraved areas because excessive lacquer can cause the dial wax to melt and run.
Yes. The kit has been designed for clock and barometer dial restoration where the underlying metal is suitable for the silvering process.
The kit provides the materials needed for the restoration, but clock dial silvering is a specialist restoration process. We recommend carefully following the instructions, watching the silvering demonstration and practising on a suitable spare or less valuable dial before attempting an important antique dial.
Yes. Priory Polishes also supplies Antique Clock Dial Silvering Powder & Finishing Powder separately in 50g and 100g sizes.
Yes. Black Engravers Wax is also available separately in hard and soft formulations.
From our customers
Verified ownerJust what I needed to restore my grandfather clock, saving a the huge cost of using a professional restorer.
Verified ownerworks well.
Verified ownerThe silvering of a clock dial went really well with a very good finish.
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