Enamel Clock Dial Repair

[@JW-ei8gw]

Wow. You did a real good job. Im getting ready to work on my clock that was damaged. I hope to have the good results you had. Thank you for your videos. They are helpful. 😊

[@mistered1397]

Very nice work on that dial. I've been searching for ways to try my hand at practice repairing some old pocket watch dials. Thanks

[@grottonisred6541]

Repairing of enamel features on a clock are really tricky, but very necessary as it the first thing people look at.. I've searched and searched for a method so I can attempt a repair with confidence. This is a task which could easily go to destination F ...!

[@Barouche]

I've used Milliput modelling putty on an enamel clock face with very good results (not totally invisible though when viewed close up). Thanks for the video - very interesting.

[@selin7299]

What did you use to make it look shiny?

[@rootbeerhead]

Thank you so much for such a detailed video on what you did and how you did it. The instruction was clear and you have a lovely manner that was a pleasure to watch. I have written the company that makes this product asking for any help or instruction on how to use it - if I get a reply I will share it. You did a nice job - a good mix between repairing it and also allowing it's history to show. The Knackler's Workshop said it right - over restored never looks right on an old object. Well done and many thanks again.

[@treetopspider]

Hi Deborah That's such a lovely comment. It makes me so happy when someone has actually found my videos useful. I'd be keen to know what is the correct way of using that compound so do let me know if you have any success. Johnny

[@rootbeerhead]

Hi Johnny, I found your video most useful. A friend has presented me with a badly damaged porcelain clock face to repair and this is something I have never done before. I've repaired a lot of things, but never a clock face and your video was just the knowledge and the inspiration I was looking for. Here is the reply I received. I will give the company credit - they answered in a very short time. And I will give you credit - you did it right. They didn't say to do anything that you didn't seem to do, except maybe sand? I don't remember if I saw you sand, but your way of using the scalpel was brilliant and you probably didn't need to. And thank you for the kind reply. All the best to you! I look forward to finding your other videos :) Brandon Skrypek 1:10 PM (5 hours ago) to me Hello Deb, The Bergeon 1590 dial enamel can be used to fill cracks and can be sanded. This product comes as a hard compound that is loosened by bain marie and/or heating a knife and then immediately applying the enamel. After it cools, you can sand and then paint as needed. Note that we are currently out of stock of this item and our next shipment is due in about 2 weeks.

[@Donnybrook10]

If you'd have taken a heat gun to the repaired area, the enamel would have evened out and baked hard. Then use pinstripe tape to keep your numerals straight. Use an extra fine black paint touch-up pen. But the enamel powder is supposed to be baked or at least exposed to heat. You could also have put it into your oven dial side up and low heat...180F Also, polident can make the dirt in the fine cracks disappear. I wouldn't use it on a really valuable piece bit it really works. You can see some people using it on pocket watch dials.

[@treetopspider]

Wow! This is really good information. I tried everywhere to find out how to use this pate but came up with nothing. So in the end I had to fumble my way about it. I really appreciate the advice here. I'll bear this in mind if I come across another badly cracked dial. Meanwhile, I'm off to order myself some polident as I do have a few clocks with hairline cracks that I havent managed to properly clean. Thanks again Johnny

[@keiththeodosiou]

These videos are pretty interesting, it's quite relaxing watching how you do things to fix the clocks.

[@treetopspider]

I try to give them a little bit of the old Bob Ross type narration hahaha

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Johnny, Great work... I think one of mistakes I see lots of people doing is try and over-restore things and they never look correct... You seem to have got the balance perfect... Well done... Take care Paul,,

[@treetopspider]

Thanks Paul. I was trying my best to get it perfect to be honest but I was pleased with the overall finish

[@timetunnelclocks]

Job well done, have seen many dials that have been repaired badly & stand out like a sore toe, you have achieved a good finish. When you have trouble finding where you repaired the dial, thats good.!! Always best to keep original dial if possible, which you have done successfully Thanks for the video, will purchase this product & give it a go

[@treetopspider]

Thank you. I had a quick peek at your channel and can see you're a clock connoisseur. Its always nice for me to have the approval of an expert. I am just a keen self-taught hobbyist and like having a go and learning. My biggest problem with the dial repair paste was that no instruction was supplied. In the end I made up my own way of using it which seemed to work pretty well. Glad you enjoyed the video. Johnny

[@timetunnelclocks]

Restoring clocks is all about problem solving, which you achieved brilliantly, there is always more than one way of doing things & we all never stop learning

[@ClockFixer]

Thanks for the video- I just ordered some enamel paste!

[@geoffreysykes1362]

I find that useing the ultrasonic tank for approx 5 minutes with water or clock cleaning fluid in it on a dial that has cracks,the dirt is expelled from the crack and the crack becomes almost invisible,but i would not do this on a dial that has bad damage as some of the loose bits of the dial can come off.

[@treetopspider]

Thats good to know. I might give that a try

[@johnrogers2253]

Never heard of that paste before. You seem quite handy so what trade were you in. Colour looks good. That's the hardest bit.. if someone lets you know John let me know. No instructions for enamel repair. To make enamel chapter rings like that they have the brass template and sprinkle the sandy substance called enamel then bake it in the oven. Really good outcome.. thanks again to..

[@treetopspider]

Well.... I have had several different businesses over the years. My last venture before selling up and deciding to retire was an estate agency. Prior to that I fitted kitchens and bathrooms, before that I had a car breakers yard. The list goes on and none of it is related. Ive just always been quite good at being creative which is what I am using my ample spare time to pursue. I kind of enjoy the challenge although I do tend to get quite frustrated at times. So far nobody has mentioned any kind of tips on how to use that enameling product.

[@johnbutcher1726]

Another great video. Really helpful as was debating whether to buy a clock that needed a slight enamel repair. Seem to be some instructions now on the link.

[@kempey01]

Well done mate good job for the first time

[@treetopspider]

Thank you, I was a rather pleased with it myself

[@martinthompson8949]

Hi, would you mind giving me some advice on the kind of microscope i should be looking for to do similar work on watch and pocket watch dials as well as lathing new staffs, im not an uber rich type and am self teaching. 👍 Also very nice job on the repair, i hope my repairs and restorations will be as good 😊

[@treetopspider]

I couldnt be without my microscope. I use it for so many different things. One of the most important things to look out for is a decent working height as you'll need room beneath the lens to do your repairs. Some people seem to like microscopes with a screen but I feel that they mess with my hand to eye coordination. Mine is direct view through the lens. The only addition that would have made it better was if it had a camera facility (trinocular) which would have made filming directly through the lens a possibility. Heres a link to Ali Express where I found one very similar to mine minus the LED lighting although you can buy led rings for this purpose. This is the style of microscope you will need. www.aliexpress.com/item/4000327349091.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.53.5e7776a91D0v2h&algo_pvid=f6283b26-862c-4ea5-a50e-bf9804aa7f39&algo_exp_id=f6283b26-862c-4ea5-a50e-bf9804aa7f39-26&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21GBP%21135.26%21105.5%21%21%21160.13%21%21%402103853616989168357953839e5983%2110000001342913380%21sea%21UK%21889865164%21&curPageLogUid=zcHm66d5HxN5 Good luck with your projects. I am self taught too. Johnny

[@martinthompson8949]

Thank you very much 😊, I did think about an LCD screen to use the microscope directly over the lathe so that I could inspect the staff without removing them from the lathe. I never thought about which was best for coordinating hands and eyes though lol. My idea was to trace the original staff over the screen on clear plastic sheets and then lathe to the trace like a template. Anyways thank you so much for taking the time to reply and give advice, it is very much appreciated 😀👍

[@JimmiePorterAtStuartArts]

Splendid result!

[@treetopspider]

Thanks Jimmie, I was rather please too 😄

[@yurireddi16]

Thanks for posting. Greetings from india

[@BillySugger1965]

Super job! Looks really good.

[@treetopspider]

Thanks Mark I was quite suprised myself with how well it came out considering this was my first attempt.

[@東雲七葉]

Hello, I also use enamel paste like yours to repair the dial, but it peels off easily even when I apply it. Is there any better way?

[@treetopspider]

Hi This was the first time I had ever used the paste. I couldnt find a tutorial anywhere so just opted with melting it into he cracks. Mine hasnt peeled or fallen out so far

[@東雲七葉]

thank you for your reply. Hmm, maybe I could have heated the knife more. If you don't heat the knife, the paste will likely crumble when preparing the surface.

[@kafrenkaf6287]

Great Job

[@treetopspider]

Thank you

[@dragosbalta6915]

Can you tell me please, what enamel paste you use?

[@treetopspider]

Hi I bought this from Cousins. Here is the link www.cousinsuk.com/product/dial-enamel

[@ضياءابراهيمحمد]

عمل جيد ومهارة عالية

[@mustafayapc1150]

what is the name of the paste you use

[@treetopspider]

I used Bergeon Dial Enamel. Here is the link www.cousinsuk.com/product/dial-enamel?code=D0417

[@mustafayapc1150]

Thanks

[@mustafayapc1150]

and where can I get the pen with which you wrote the numbers

[@treetopspider]

@@mustafayapc1150 I used satin black spray paint which a sprayed a little into the cap. I think you can use Indian Ink too. Then I used a needle as you can see in my video 12:42 which I have secured into a holder. I carried out the work very carefully under my microscope which made it easier to get a fine finish with.

[@zoranstankovic2599]

Great tutorial. Completely unrelated Roman 4 is not IIII but IV

[@treetopspider]

Hi Zoran, Thank you and Yes you are correct about the 4. I never noticed that before. I wonder how this happened???

[@ChetGeorge]

​@@treetopspider I've seen clock dials with both IIII and IV - I guess it's up to the clock maker preference. But technically IV is the OFFICIAL way. Also, have you thought about putting the dial into an ultrasonic tank prior to working on it to reveal chips that would flake off later as well as clean tiny crack out? Might work well. I have several antique Ansonia open escapement clock dials that I'm going to try this repair technique on. Thanks for a great video. 😉🙂

[@treetopspider]

@@ChetGeorge Thanks for the comment. Yes Ive seen them both ways too. Its perhaps as you say, the makers choice. I have never tried putting the dial into the ultrasonic but then again, my take isnt large enough to take a whole dial. It does make sense though, the cracks would completely clean out Johnny