How to Refurbish and Restore a Wooden Wall Clock
Sturdy, well-built wooden wall clocks add great character to a family room, such as a sitting or dining room. However, finding a wooden wall clock when on a tight budget (and it matching your room's current decor) can be hard to come by. Shop around at thrift stores, garage sales and even family members' attics for a wooden wall clock you would like to hang in your home.
Don't worry too much about the color or condition of the clock or wooden frame.
You can restore both to their original state or refurbish them to better match your decor (and decorating style).
Before you begin the restoration or refurbishing process, analyze the condition of the clock frame and the clock itself. Check for the following:
After you check out the condition of the wooden frame and clock functions, think about whether you want to restore the clock back its original state or make it your own (i.e., slap on a new coat of paint to better match your decorating style). Refer to the Painting and Staining the Clock section for more details.
Clean the Clock
If you purchased your clock at a garage sale or thrift store, most likely you will need to thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the entire clock to remove any dust or cobwebs.
First, gently clean the wooden frame with a clean rag dampened with a little bit of water or a concentrated solution of vinegar and water. Then, immediately wipe the wood down to remove any moisture.
The inside workings of the clock and the mechanics will most likely need to be cleaned out as well.
Gently clean the face, spindles and mechanical parts on the back of the clock with a dry rag or a can of compressed air. Be sure to remove as much of the dust from around the mechanical workings of the clock the best you can.
If the clock does not work, or is missing any pieces, such as the pendulum, spindle or numbers, repair it back to working order.
Spindle and Motor
If the motor does not work or the spindles will not move, you may need to replace them. Luckily, you can find inexpensive clock kits at a hobby store or an online marketplace. However, be sure to measure the original spindles and find the original clock kit model to make sure you buy the correct kit to match your clock.
Pendulum
If your clock is missing a pendulum (like mine) or you cannot get them to function correctly, you may purchase a new one or go without one. Your choice. If you choose to purchase a new pendulum, be prepared to shop around for not only a good price, but also the pendulum that will fit your clock. Browse online clock retailers or visit a local clock repair shop to find out what to look for and to determine the best pendulum for your clock.
Depending on how you want to restore or refurbish the clock, you will need the gather the supplies needed make your clock like new again.
Staining
If you want to restore your clock back its original glory, you will need the following:
Refer to Tips for Applying Wood Stain for details on staining wood.
Painting
If you want to paint the clock to match your home's decor or to better fit your decorating style, you will need the following:
Refer to How to Paint Wood for details on painting wood.
Sturdy, well-built wooden wall clocks add great character to a family room, such as a sitting or dining room. However, finding a wooden wall clock when on a tight budget (and it matching your room's current decor) can be hard to come by. Shop around at thrift stores, garage sales and even family members' attics for a wooden wall clock you would like to hang in your home.
Don't worry too much about the color or condition of the clock or wooden frame.
You can restore both to their original state or refurbish them to better match your decor (and decorating style).
Before you begin the restoration or refurbishing process, analyze the condition of the clock frame and the clock itself. Check for the following:
- Are there any damages to the wooden frame (e.g., cracks, chips or dents in the wood)?
- Are there any missing or damaged hardware (e.g., hinges, knobs)?
- Does the clock need new batteries?
- Is the clock functioning?
- Does it (or did it) have a pendulum?
After you check out the condition of the wooden frame and clock functions, think about whether you want to restore the clock back its original state or make it your own (i.e., slap on a new coat of paint to better match your decorating style). Refer to the Painting and Staining the Clock section for more details.
Clean the Clock
If you purchased your clock at a garage sale or thrift store, most likely you will need to thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the entire clock to remove any dust or cobwebs.
First, gently clean the wooden frame with a clean rag dampened with a little bit of water or a concentrated solution of vinegar and water. Then, immediately wipe the wood down to remove any moisture.
The inside workings of the clock and the mechanics will most likely need to be cleaned out as well.
Gently clean the face, spindles and mechanical parts on the back of the clock with a dry rag or a can of compressed air. Be sure to remove as much of the dust from around the mechanical workings of the clock the best you can.
Note: do not use a damp rag or any kind of liquid spray to clean the mechanical parts of the clock.
If the clock does not work, or is missing any pieces, such as the pendulum, spindle or numbers, repair it back to working order.
Spindle and Motor
If the motor does not work or the spindles will not move, you may need to replace them. Luckily, you can find inexpensive clock kits at a hobby store or an online marketplace. However, be sure to measure the original spindles and find the original clock kit model to make sure you buy the correct kit to match your clock.
Pendulum
If your clock is missing a pendulum (like mine) or you cannot get them to function correctly, you may purchase a new one or go without one. Your choice. If you choose to purchase a new pendulum, be prepared to shop around for not only a good price, but also the pendulum that will fit your clock. Browse online clock retailers or visit a local clock repair shop to find out what to look for and to determine the best pendulum for your clock.
Depending on how you want to restore or refurbish the clock, you will need the gather the supplies needed make your clock like new again.
Staining
If you want to restore your clock back its original glory, you will need the following:
- sandpaper
- wood putty or filler (if there are any damages to the wood)
- pre-stain conditioner
- stain
- polyurethane
Refer to Tips for Applying Wood Stain for details on staining wood.
Painting
If you want to paint the clock to match your home's decor or to better fit your decorating style, you will need the following:
- sandpaper
- wood putty or filler (if there are any damages to the wood)
- primer
- paint
Refer to How to Paint Wood for details on painting wood.