I have a dozen of these to restore and haven't found a good method over the last 15+ years. I am trying out the latest information I have gained to see how it works. This thread started under another part of this site. I am trying this out on a clock at the moment and enclose WIP. It will take me at least a month, working a lot of hours each weekend to get it looking good. Anyhow, I will take a few pictures as I find the time and share success or failure with you

http://www.aussieclocks.com/Marble%20clock%20case%20restoration/case%20repair.htm

Graham Mitchell

www.aussieclocks.com

I forgot to mention - click on the thumbnails for larger pictures and then on the X at the top right of your window to go back.
Is this what internet horology is all about??

Graham Mitchell

www.aussieclocks.com

Graham, What a cool project. Looks like alot of work and alot of fun. Please keep us posted.

BTW, You have put together a great website. This is what its all about.

Aaron Bereiter
NAWCC# 156432
Chapter 185 Charter #55
Chapter 185 Finance VP
We rise highest when we stoop to help others.

Graham,

Great pictures. I am eagerly awaiting the results of your effort as I have quite a few black marble clocks with lots of white spots on them.


Vic
NAWCC Life Member 205-117905
Member Chapter 168
IHC Member 56
IHC Life Member (L2)

I've done some more work on my marble clock and have updated the pictures. I'm not sure if I'm happy with the result so far as the original shiny surface now looks a bit matt. The next stage of wax polishing may bring it back

http://www.aussieclocks.com/Marble%20clock%20case%20restoration/case%20repair.htm

Graham Mitchell

www.aussieclocks.com

Graham, That was very interesting. Thanks for posting the step by step process. I Can'tt wait to see it after the waxing and polishing. Those are great looking clocks.

Tom Seymour
NAWCC #41293
IHC #104
IHC Exec.V.P.

I put some soft polish on the case too early. I thought it may be a shortcut. Not so. I removed the polish and continued using crocus paper, probably the finest paper there is. This is starting to restore the shiney finish. It is a time consuming activity but the clock is starting to look acceptable,
Graham (see the last 2 pictures)
http://www.aussieclocks.com/Marble%20clock%20case%20restoration/case%20repair.htm

Graham Mitchell

www.aussieclocks.com

I'm learning a few things with this case restoration.
* it is easy to scratch the marble when you are trying to remove white spots. I think you must keep your "wet and dry" free of any other grit/debris when you are applying it. I have some scratches on the case which I believe I created by not paying attention to this. Also it may be best to keep going with one piece of wet and dry till it's end on one area, as it by itself loses potency and becomes finer.
* don't forget we are talking 1200, 1600 papers. The finish is with crocus paper which I find brings up the original shine.
* It's a lot of work, boring work, which I have difficulty in maintaining interest. maybe that is why I have so many clocks half finished and a heap not started. The challenge to me is in finding a solution.
* I am not happy with my results so far on this clock, and will continue to work on the case
*But, it looks ten times better than it did.

Graham Mitchell

www.aussieclocks.com

Graham,
It is looking real good. Keep it up I,m sure it will look great when it is done.
Thanks for the update.

Aaron Bereiter
NAWCC# 156432
Chapter 185 Charter #55
Chapter 185 Finance VP
God bless America

Nearly finished. See last photo at

http://www.aussieclocks.com/Marble%20clock%20case%20restoration/case%20repair.htm

Compared to where this case started off it now looks good. There are many recipies to repair these slate ("marble") cases and this method has worked for me on one clock, so it's not a method well tried my me, and no guarantee it will work for others. When it is your own clock you can experiment.
I'll now try this method on another to see how that goes,
Graham

Graham Mitchell

www.aussieclocks.com

Looks great Graham! Thatnk for the updates. Your trial will benefit many of us.

Tom Seymour
NAWCC #41293
IHC #104
IHC Exec.V.P.

Graham,
Looks real good. I like it! Thanks for keeping us updated on your projects. Paitence is the key. (and alot of skill)

Aaron Bereiter
NAWCC# 156432
Chapter 185 Charter #55
Chapter 185 Finance VP
God bless America

I read all the post on restoreing black marble case. I have to put my 2 cent in. this may not work on all cases. I have a french marble clock with multiple fine lines and designs on the face and the base. some one long time ago painted the clock all black even the gold leafing. it looked bad. after some experimenting I stripped all the paint off and use a tooth brush to get into the small lines. then I sprayed the hold clock with Krylon [simi flat black]. 2 good coats. let dry for 48 hrs. then I used a Avery gold metallic Gel [marker]. It dry very fast so I did the face in 1/3s. Then use norton "ooo" steel wool flat pad. sand lightly the excise gold. the lines will come out sharply. the black paint will dull put that is OK. do all your gold leafing and when finished rub down the whole clock. the gold leafing only took me 1 hr. clean up all the dust and give the hole clock and base two coats of Minwax polyurethane clear high gloss. Mine looked like it was made yesterday. I did not polish or wax it. Hope this will help some one. moe schmidt

I think we're talking about SLATE, not marble. I use Micromesh, a set of progressively finer abrasive pads, with a last step being Conservator's Clock Case Restorer, available from the usual clock parts sources. The BHI site has some ideas, others have used mayonnaise concoctions, etc., that are not really permanent.

Applying a military "spit shine" sometimes brings back the gloss to a slate case; the polish is easily removed with mineral spirits or turpentine. Also, the table in my kitchen has a black marble top, 1-1 1/2" thick, after several years of use and spills, hot dishes put directly on the top, etc. the surface was quite dull. I cleaned it thoroughly and applied a very thin coat of 'Future' a product to restore the shine to vinyl no-wax floor covering. The top looks very good and I keep it shining by cleaning it with a damp cloth occasionally and giving it a good rub with a soft dry cloth. I don't know how this would work on a clock case, but it would be worth trying in a small inconspicuous area.