The conservation and recovery hours refers to the care given to the clock to prevent or resolve problems encountered during its life cycle. The variety of materials from which the clocks can be built and the hassle of clockwork guarantees such care to be taken by the owner of the clock so that the clock can continue to function.
Video Conservation and restoration of clocks
Preventive preservation
Proper handling, appropriate storage and display environments, and regular maintenance can together prevent problems from arising and impact on clock sustainability. Such controls can extend the life of a clock.
Handling
Certain precautions taken by the hour handler can deny the chance of occurrence of damage:
- Loose objects worn by the handler have the potential to come into contact with and cause damage to the clock. Deleting these items before handling hours can reduce the risk of damage.
- Wearing "[...] cotton or rubber gloves when handling metal clock parts" may limit the chances of moving contaminants from the hands to the clock surface.
- Pendulum damage during clock movement can be prevented by removing the pendulum or fixing it inside the clock through latch or padding before clock movement. It can also prevent damage to other interior components.
- The "[...] should always be held in the most robust area" and move from one location to the next in the back.
- The hour-size correlation with the number of people moving can ensure hours security. Small coat clocks, for example, may only require one mover, while a high clock may require some movers to safely take them to another location.
Storage and display
Proper storage and display mechanisms can work to ensure clock security. The use of a solid and sturdy surface when storing or displaying a clock can prevent it from falling on a hard surface. The wall clock for example requires a secure attachment "[...] to the wall if an accident should be avoided and the clock should be run correctly." Motion sensitive lighting and indirect light source use can limit the amount of light and heat that survive by hours, both of which are sources of clock damage. A clean clock environment can eliminate the chance of dangerous contaminants to come in contact with the clock. The HVAC system can add an extra level of safety by removing such contaminants from the air.
Humidity and temperature
The humidity and ambient temperature at which the clock is displayed or stored can affect the clock conditions. Damage can be avoided by maintaining certain moisture levels and temperatures in a clock environment, depending on the material from which the clock is built.
- a. Wood watch
- The ideal humidity and temperature for wooden clocks varies by season. In summer, an environment with a temperature of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity of 40% to 60% are suitable. During the winter, an environment with a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity of 35% to 50% are the main ones.
- b. Metal clock
- Clocks made of metal work well in an environment of 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 30% relative humidity.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance of the clock can ensure long-term preservation.
Examination conditions
Visual inspection can determine whether the clock should be cleaned and/or lubricated, whether there are signs of infestation and/or damage available, and whether the clock should be wrapped and/or set to the correct time.
- a. Cleaning, polishing, and lubrication
- Periodically cleaning surfaces may negate corrosion or abrasion opportunities due to dust buildup. It should be stated that such surface cleansing can also result in loss of information about the history of the clock, since "[...] various" impurities "or" salt deposits "can provide valuable clues on past objects [...]." Dust and contaminants others can also cause clockwise wear, because "the abrasive particles will become embedded into the cushion wall and act as a piece of sandpaper [...]." Regular working hours activities can also cause wear and tear, as lubricants are known to decrease over time. The loss of clock function due to wear and tear of working hours can be avoided through regular cleaning, polishing, and lubrication performed by trained professionals. In performing such treatment, a professional will disassemble the needle so that it can be thoroughly examined "[...] for worn or damaged parts, tired springs and dirt or oil accumulation."
- b. Winding and setting
- To function as a watchman of time, and to prevent damage to working hours, the clock should be regularly wounded. A well-established winding schedule eliminates the threat of over-winding. Regular binding can also ensure that working hours are still working. In the correct timing, the minute hand is rotated clockwise to the desired time.
Maps Conservation and restoration of clocks
Typical types of damage
Damage can affect all the components and materials from which the clock can be built.
Wood damage
Due to its porous nature, the wood is significantly affected by contact with water. When moisture is high, excess water in the air is absorbed, resulting in wood expansion, while little or no air in the air when low humidity can cause shrinkage of wood. Changes in such characters from the original state of the wood can cause damage. Types of wood damage associated with low humidity include "[...] structural cracks, raised veneers and inlays, gaps in the joints and embrittlement of adhesives."
Metal damage
Similar to wood, interactions with water can also prove to be detrimental to metals. When the contaminants come into contact with the metal, they combine with the existing moisture or draw moisture on the metal. "[...] This combination with moisture can produce corrosion."
Complete or paint damage
Resolving the damage can occur as a result of the use of cleaning products and/or polish on the surface of the clock. Rather than performing tasks intended to aid in clock preservation, some products "can be completely dark or become blurred with age, resulting in a dark, dull and often irreversible ending." Any word or picture painted on the surface of the clock can be faded or even removed when the fine piece is touched and exposed to moisture from the hand.
Interior damage or working hours
Damage Clockwork can be generated through over-winding, interaction with contaminants, improper lubrication, and clock movement when the pendulum is not secured before the clock is moved. A free swing pendulum can be damaged and may inflict damage to other interior components during the clock's movement.
Preservation and recovery
Interventional action can be performed by a trained conservator when a clock problem arises, with treatments varying depending on the type of clock and situation.
Conservator
A conservator specializing in clock care will have the qualifications and training to treat the clock appropriately in a way to "[...] not be fully compromised with the historical value of the [...] object." Conservators rely on inspection systems, documentation, and research prior to treatment so that proper treatment is accepted, as "Sometimes the only way one can understand the detailed history, quirks, and eccentricities that are common to a particular watch is to study it to gather as much information as possible of [...]. "Apart from finding the clock problem and paying attention to the hours it takes, the conservator can also provide knowledge of procedures such as a winding hour for an uninformed clock owner so that future clock damage due to human error can be avoided.
Example: Anglesey Abbey Pagoda Clock
The horoscope conservator at West Dean College is responsible for the care of an 18th-century pagoda clock sent from Anglesey Abbey's historic home by the National Trust. In starting the project, the clock checks show that "The automata and clock elements seem to be running, but struggling, and the music sounds like needing some extra hands to help play the rhythm." Hours were later dismantled, and attention was taken to document information about each of the more than 600 components in both textual and photographic terms, including measurements and where each component fits within hours. "After inspection, each component is cleaned and dried, wrapped in acid free tissue, and stored with catalog number."
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia