Brass
Brass should not be touched with bare hands. If you do need to touch the brass, it is recommended you use a soft cloth or gloves.
Dusting
Dusting can be done with any spray, as long as it does not contain any waxes. There are several on the market that don't contain wax, but the preferred spray is Pledge. After you spray it, wipe it off with a soft cloth.
Winding
It is impossible to over wind a spring wound clock. To run properly, it must be wound completely tight. Depending on the movement, key wound clocks will stay running one day, seven days, or thirty-one days.
Weight driven clocks will usually run for seven days, and should be wound before the weights reach the bottom. While winding, watch the weights to make sure that they don't hit the top or the pendulum. Slow down while winding before they reach the top. Otherwise, you may overpower the winding stop. If your weights are hung with chains, then pull the chains until the weights get close to the top. Note the weights will be at different levels when it is time to wind. This is normal. If your clock has weights hung with cable, then you should simply wind until the crank stops.
Batteries
Batteries should be changed twice a year, when the time changes (every six months) to keep them from dieing and leaking inside. We recommend Duracell batteries as the ends are designed to provide better contact.
Oiling
To keep your clock running, you should get your clock oiled by a professional every three years. Do not spray silicone or any other spray-on oil onto the clock, as it can cause premature wearing and cause serious problems.
Adjusting Speed
With a pendulum clock, you may have to adjust the speed if it has a tendency to run fast or slow. At the bottom of the pendulum, there is a short threaded pole with a nut on it. This nut is used to raise and lower the pendulum weight, to speed up or slow down the clock. To speed up the clock one minute, turn the nut one full rotation to the right, whereas one minute slower is one full rotation to the left. To adjust the speed, follow these simple directions:
- Stop your clock, by stopping the pendulum.
- Adjust the nut left or right one turn.
- Start the clock and set the time.
- Twenty four hours later, observe how many minutes adjustment is required. Reset the clock and rotate the nut the appropriate direction, one full rotation per minute of adjustment.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call and we will gladly help you.