Expert: Martin Meyer - 1/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have a colonial of zeeland g/f clock and the pendulum keeps stopping. done all the obvious leveling internally checking hands etc. but to no avaiil....can you suggest any thing else to try....is this company still around.....kind i find a repair manual for it.
Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Jeff,
    The most likely cause of your problem is that the pendulum might be out of beat. After that, the proper connection of the pendulum assembly to the movement is likely suspect. Lubrication may also be needed. For instructions on these issues, please see my previously Answered Questions.
    Colonial is long out of business, and I think it is unlikely that you could find an instruction manual for it.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Martin took your advise and researched previous questions and the clock is now running continuously......the next problem I have is the chimes is really slow on the western but wont go at all on the other two setting.....I have read on line that this may be because the mechanism needs to be cleaned and oiled. do you have any tips or dos and don't to clean and oil the mechanism.....my first thought is to you a high evaporative contact cleaner to clean it and then of course a specific clock oil. can you recommend a site to purchase them.
Thanks
Jeff

Answer
Hi Jeff,
    Your chime problem is very likely either a need for lubrication, dirt in the bearings, or wear in the bearings.
    I don't generally recommend using solvents to clean clock movements because they may remove surface grime, but consolidate the dirt and dried oil in the bearings. My first choice would be to lubricate the clock with a very small drop of clock oil at each point where a gearshaft end goes into a hole in the front and back main plates. Also, lubricate the chime hammers where they pivot on their shaft. You must use ONLY clock oil, no other lubricant. These are available from clock supply houses like Timesavers, Merritts Antiques or Empire Clock.
    If you do want to try using a solvent to clean the movement (at your own risk!), I would recommend BlowOff Contact Cleaner, available at blowoff.com. This is actually an electronic parts cleaner. It has characteristics of very good solvency and very high volatility, and comes in a spray can with a pinpoint applicator.