Clock movements usually look like this when they come in for repair. After years of being used, when they stop working many owners assume they are broken.
In fact, the accumulation of dirt and sticky oil deposits is often so great that the clock springs (or weights) can no longer turn freely. The dirt suspended in oil deposits causes serious issues for the delicate clock movement and its coiled springs. In some cases, the wear has caused the pivot holes in the brass plates to become oblongs, taking the wheels out of alignment and letting the teeth skip.
Do not worry, all is not lost!
This sort of issue can be resolved by dismantling the clock to its parts, and then cleaning and polishing each individual component in an ultrasound bath with specialist cleaning mixtures. Brass is a fabulous material, and the result usually looks dazzling, with bright golden metal revealed.
Benefits of disassembling and cleaning
As well as being cosmetically attractive, when a clock is dismantled and the plates holding the parts together are separated, there is a chance to clean out the pivots and to polish parts which rotate, eliminating sources of wear and friction, and significantly improving the reliable function of the clock.
If necessary, where the pivot holes have been worn heavily into oblongs, they can be replaced with a neat new bushing, providing a brand new pivot hole. Springs can be tested, cleaned and if necessary they can be replaced with strong, new replacements that really help the clock run efficiently, and deal with underlying problems decisively for many years.
As cleaning is such an important part of restoring a clock to daily use and being able to inspect it for other issues, every clock needs to be dismantled.
Please do not oil your clock!
Sometimes people hope to avoid repairs by drenching their clock in oil – especially WD40 – but this causes serious damage. Oils contain solvents as well as attracting dust from the air. This very quickly forms a black, abrasive paste which grinds the brass parts as the clock turns. Please, please do not be tempted to do this.