Expert: William J Perkins - 6/22/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello, we have a grandmother clock, with three weights, we got this from an auction, the clock is working well, but I cannot move the chain for the weight to go up again once it reaches the bottom, have you any suggestions as to why, and when do I pull the chain?. Hope you can help. Regards Patricia.

ANSWER: My first thought is that the chain has jumped off its cogs.  If so the chain would need to be restrung.  Another thought is that the chain has become twisted.  To correct you would have to jockey the shain around untill it hangs properly.  Without further information I hesitate to make other suggestions.  You mention three weights are present, is the problem associated to one, two or three of the chains.  At what position do they hang up?  Are the weights hung to their proper chains?  Tell me more about this, so that I might help you.  Regards WJP

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QUESTION: Thank you for your speedy reply re our grandmother clock. We had a clock repairer in the put the chains on correctly, but he said that the clock would not work, because it was dry and needed a service, which would cost £170 pounds, apart from the £30 we paid for the chains being put on, being pensioners we could not afford this on top of the £110 we paid for it at auction, so we carefully sprayed a little WD40 on all the inner workings, and off it went, the only problems we have now is that it is loosing time, we have tried to ajust the pendulum (but it has the little screw at the base missing), but that does not seem to work, also the quarter chimes sound sick, the hour chime is fine. Do you have any suggestions for this problem. Thanks

ANSWER: WD-40 is indeed a superior product, unfortunately it is about the worst thing that can be used to lubricate a clock.  Clock lubricants are designed to be used in very small quantities and to cling to the surfaces to which they are applied.  WD-40 is compounded to do the exact opposite.  You need to flush the WD-40 out and apply a proper clock lubricant.  Lubricating kits are available on the inter-net at fairly reasonable cost.  One such kit can be found at, http://howtorepairclocks.com/clock-oil.html
This kit not only provided the proper lubricant, it also provides instructions.  Cost is about 10GBS + shipping and handling.  Such kits last for many years.  However no lubricant will work as long as WD-40 is present.  IT MUST BE FLUSHED OUT!!!  I am sorry find you in such a predicament.  I do hope it works out well.  Regards WJP

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QUESTION: Oh dear we seem to have done a very wrong thing, please can you tell us how to flush out the WD 40?.We will get that kit. Regards Patricia.

Answer
To me there is only one way to remove WD-40 from a clock movement and that is to take the clock completely apart, clean, restore and polish each and every part.  I would not suggest you try this yourselves, that is a job for a professional.  As a probable effective alternative I would suggest you ask google or bing, "how to remove WD-40 from a clock"  Peruse the resulting sites to find an alternative that you would feel comfortable with.  I particularly recommend a site provided by The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC).  The site will  not provide you with a solution, it will explain why WD-40 is a problem.  In truth I feel the manufacturer should have a suitable warning on their label.  Be that as it may, I wish you luck and I truly wish I could help you.  Regards WJP