Horosilv Clock Dial Silvering Kit

Description

Horosilv Clock Dial Silvering Kit is a complete professional kit for restoring and re-silvering suitable brass clock dials, clock faces and chapter rings. It brings together the key products required for the silvering, finishing, protection and restoration of engraved numerals in one convenient kit.

Whether you are restoring an antique longcase clock, mantel clock or another traditional horological dial, this kit provides the specialist materials needed to achieve a traditional silvered appearance on properly prepared brass.

• About the Horosilv Clock Dial Silvering Kit
• What’s Included
• Horosilv Silvering Powder
• Horofinish Finishing Powder
• Silver Lacquer
• Black Engravers Wax
• How to Use the Kit
• Preparing the Clock Dial
• Silvering the Dial
• Finishing & Protecting the Dial
• FAQs
• Please Note

About the Horosilv Clock Dial Silvering Kit

Restoring a silvered clock dial requires careful preparation as well as the correct silvering and finishing materials. The Horosilv Clock Dial Silvering Kit has been assembled to provide the essential products required for this specialist restoration work.

Horosilv Silvering Powder is designed for re-silvering clean brass surfaces, while Horofinish Finishing Powder is used afterwards to finish and brighten the silvered surface. The included Silver Lacquer provides a protective finishing layer, while the two grades of Black Engravers Wax can be used to restore the engraved numerals and markings found on traditional clock dials.

What’s Included

The Horosilv Clock Dial Silvering Kit contains:

• 1 x 120g Horosilv Silvering Powder – silver chloride-based silvering powder for suitable brass clock dials.
• 1 x 120g Horofinish Finishing Powder – superfine white finishing powder for finishing and brightening the silvered surface.
• 1 x 100ml Silver Lacquer – clear protective lacquer for the finished silvered dial.
• 1 x Soft Black Engravers Wax – for restoring and filling engraved details.
• 1 x Hard Black Engravers Wax – for durable black infill of engraved numerals and markings.

These products can be used together as part of a traditional clock dial restoration process, giving restorers the essential materials for silvering, finishing, protecting and restoring engraved details.

120g Horosilv Silvering Powder

Horosilv Silvering Powder is a professional silvering powder formulated from silver chloride for re-silvering suitable clean brass clock dials and other brass components.

It is applied to a properly prepared, clean and grease-free brass surface using a slightly damp cloth and circular movements. As the silvering powder reacts with the brass, a traditional silver appearance develops across the surface.

Horosilv has a higher silver content than Priory Polishes’ traditional Antique Clock Dial Silvering Powder, making it a specialist option for restorers looking for a higher-silver-content silvering product.

120g Horofinish Finishing Powder

Horofinish Finishing Powder is a superfine white powder used after the silvering stage. It helps finish and brighten the newly silvered surface, producing a more refined appearance.

Apply a small amount at a time and work it over the silvered area using circular movements. Once the finishing stage is complete, rinse the dial with cold water and dry thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth.

100ml Silver Lacquer

The included 100ml Silver Lacquer provides a protective coating for the completed silvered dial. Once the silvering and finishing stages have been completed and the dial is thoroughly dry, the lacquer can be applied as a final protective treatment.

When working on an engraved clock dial containing wax-filled numerals, lacquer should be applied carefully and in thin coats to avoid disturbing or softening the engraved wax.

Soft & Hard Black Engravers Wax

The kit contains both Soft Black Engravers Wax and Hard Black Engravers Wax for restoring the black engraved numerals and markings commonly found on traditional clock dials.

Engravers wax can be used to fill recessed lettering, numerals and decorative engraving, restoring the contrast between the black markings and the silvered background.

Having both soft and hard wax gives the restorer options when working with different types of engraving and restoration requirements.

Preparing the Clock Dial

Careful preparation is one of the most important stages of clock dial silvering. The old damaged finish, existing silvering, dirt and unsuitable coatings should be removed so that the brass surface is properly prepared for the silvering process.

The brass should be thoroughly cleaned and degreased before applying Horosilv. Fingerprints, grease and other contamination can interfere with the silvering reaction and result in uneven colouring.

Do not touch the prepared brass surface with bare fingers immediately before silvering.

How to Use the Horosilv Clock Dial Silvering Kit

1. Remove old lacquer, damaged silvering and other unsuitable coatings from the brass dial.
2. Prepare the brass surface using suitable fine abrasives where required.
3. Thoroughly clean and degrease the dial.
4. Restore or prepare the engraved numerals using the appropriate Black Engravers Wax.
5. Apply Horosilv Silvering Powder to the clean brass using a slightly damp cloth and circular movements.
6. Continue until the silvered appearance develops evenly across the prepared surface.
7. Rinse the dial as appropriate with cold water.
8. Apply Horofinish Finishing Powder to the silvered surface using gentle circular movements.
9. Rinse again with cold water and dry the dial thoroughly.
10. Once completely dry, apply the included Silver Lacquer carefully in thin coats to protect the finished surface.

The exact preparation and application method will depend on the condition, construction and existing finish of the clock dial. Always test the process before treating an important or irreplaceable antique.

Silvering the Dial

Once the brass has been properly prepared, take a small amount of Horosilv Silvering Powder and rub it onto the surface using a clean, slightly damp cloth. Work in circular movements and cover the brass evenly.

Cleanliness is particularly important at this stage. Areas contaminated by grease or fingerprints may react differently and can result in patchy or uneven silvering.

Horosilv is intended for suitable clean brass surfaces. It should not simply be applied over old lacquer or other existing coatings.

Finishing & Protecting the Dial

After silvering, Horofinish Finishing Powder provides the next stage in the process. The superfine powder helps refine and brighten the silvered surface.

Once the dial has been rinsed and dried thoroughly, the included Silver Lacquer can be applied to provide a protective finish. On engraved dials, take particular care to apply lacquer thinly so that the black wax in the numerals is not softened or disturbed.

The completed process produces a restored silvered appearance while retaining the traditional character of an antique clock dial.

FAQs

What is included in the Horosilv Clock Dial Silvering Kit?

The kit contains 120g Horosilv Silvering Powder, 120g Horofinish Finishing Powder, 100ml Silver Lacquer, one Soft Black Engravers Wax and one Hard Black Engravers Wax.

What is the Horosilv Clock Dial Silvering Kit used for?

It is designed for restoring and re-silvering suitable brass clock dials, clock faces and chapter rings, including the restoration of engraved numerals and markings.

Can Horosilv be used on a brass clock dial?

Yes. Horosilv is specifically formulated for silvering suitable clean brass surfaces and is particularly suited to brass clock dials and chapter rings.

What is the Horofinish powder for?

Horofinish is used after the silvering stage to finish and brighten the silvered surface before the final protective treatment.

Why does the kit contain two types of black engravers wax?

The kit includes both soft and hard black engravers wax to provide different options for restoring engraved numerals, lettering and other recessed details on clock dials.

Does the kit include lacquer?

Yes. The kit contains 100ml of Silver Lacquer for protecting the completed silvered dial.

Can the kit be used on a lacquered clock dial?

The silvering process requires a properly prepared brass surface. Existing lacquer and unsuitable coatings should be removed before applying the silvering powder.

Can I use this kit on aluminium?

No. Horosilv is formulated for suitable brass surfaces and should not be assumed to be suitable for aluminium.

Is this kit suitable for antique clock restoration?

Yes. The kit is specifically intended for specialist clock dial restoration and is suitable for experienced restorers and horologists working on appropriate brass dials.

Please Note

This is a specialist clock dial restoration kit and is intended for use on suitable materials and surfaces. Always test the complete process on a suitable sample or inconspicuous area before treating a valuable or irreplaceable antique dial.

Thorough cleaning and degreasing are essential before silvering. Avoid touching the prepared brass with bare fingers, as fingerprints and grease can interfere with the silvering reaction.

Follow the individual product safety information and take appropriate precautions when handling silvering powders, finishing powders, lacquer and engraving wax.