Refurbishing a Seth Thomas Clock Dial - Initial Steps
In the world of clock restoration, inpainting is a valuable technique used to reconstruct lost or deteriorated parts of a clock dial. This article details the process of inpainting a Seth Thomas column and cornice clock dial circa 1865, which is in a poor condition with faded numerals, large sections without paint, half of the time track detail missing or faded, and barely visible corner floral details.
The project begins with gathering the necessary materials, including artist paint brushes, multi-surface water-based acrylic paint (white, yellow, red, black, and green), a fine-tip black Sharpie or Artists pen, a math compass, a scriber, an old credit card, and Q-tips.
The first step involves covering the large and small sections of the dial using water-based all-surface acrylic paint. Each section is painted carefully to ensure a smooth and even coverage.
In the second step, the Roman numerals are filled in with black paint using a medium-sized artist paint brush. The brush strokes are kept light to maintain the delicate nature of the dial.
The third step is where the chapter ring and fine line details are traced using a fine-tip black Sharpie or Artists pen. The effect of the thin straight accent lines is subtle but effective, adding definition to the numerals and the time track.
Once the inner and outer rings of the time track are completed, thin straight accent lines are drawn on each numeral using the Sharpie pen. The dial now has a cleaner and more legible appearance.
This concludes Part I of the inpainting project, with Part II to be published in 4 days, focusing on the decorative corners. The author is anxious to apply their artistic technique to the floral patterns in the decorative corners, ensuring the dial’s aesthetic and historical integrity are preserved and visually coherent after treatment.
Common techniques for inpainting a clock dial generally involve careful conservation treatment to restore missing or damaged painted areas, often using traditional fine art restoration methods adapted for clocks. Key techniques include cleaning and stabilizing the original surface, filling flaking or missing paint areas, and applying inpainting using fine brushes and pigments matched to the original colors and materials.
Materials typically used include oil-based paints or conservation-grade pigments matched to the original oils or enamels originally used, conservation varnishes to unify the surface gloss and color after inpainting, and fine brushes or sometimes magnification tools for precision painting.
Inpainting is a cost-effective and versatile method that can be done on a home workbench, making it accessible to many clock enthusiasts. With the right materials and techniques, it's possible to breathe new life into a worn-out clock dial, preserving its historical significance while enhancing its visual appeal.
Vintage clocks, such as the Seth Thomas column and cornice clock dial, can be revitalized using lifestyle choices like home-and-garden projects, specifically through the application of inpainting techniques. This process involves using artist paint brushes, water-based acrylic paints of various colors, a fine-tip black Sharpie or Artists pen, and other materials to meticulously restore and enhance the dial's visual appeal, preserving its historical integrity.
