Seth Thomas Clock Maintenance

Seth Thomas

• Born in 1785 in Wolcott, Connecticut, Seth Thomas bought a clock factory in 1810 and manufactured tall grandfather clocks, before moving on to clocks that sit on shelves and clocks that are wall mounted. The first clocks had wooden mechanical movements, but this evolved later to brass. The iconic clock in New York's Grand Central Station is a Seth Thomas. Thomas died in 1859, but his clock company lived on until it was bought by the Colibri Group in 2001. Colibri then stopped manufacturing Seth Thomas clocks, according to the website ClockHistory.com.

Wall Clock Care

• Caring for clocks will extend their lifespan and lessen the need for costly repairs. Debris and dust can hamper delicate clock mechanisms. While it may be seem obvious, one of the most important maintenance jobs with Seth Thomas wall clocks is making sure they are securely fastened to the wall. Most hang from the wall with a screw. Check every few months to make sure the screw is tightly attached to both the clock and wall. Gently wipe the clock's face clean with a microfiber cloth. If the clock is a type that needs to be wound regularly, use this occasion to clean both the front and the winding mechanisms on the back.

Grandfather Clock Care

• Oiling and cleaning grandfather clocks can be a tall order. The clock seller 1-800-4CLOCKS recommends oiling interior mechanisms of Seth Thomas clocks every two to four years, and giving them a complete cleaning every five to eight years. It also recommends cleaning the mechanisms more frequently if the clock is losing time. The entire exterior of the clock should be gently dusted every few weeks, and wooden surfaces waxed on a regular basis.

Mantel Clock Care

• The National Association of Clock and Watch Collectors recommends cleaning mantel clocks with a feather duster weekly to reduce dust buildup. Twice a year, use a vacuum cleaner's soft brush attachment to help remove dust from exterior crevices. Before moving and maintaining a mantel clock, remove its pendulum. Glass can be cleaned with a small amount of Windex or other glass cleaner that is applied to a cloth. Dry the glass with a paper towel or soft cloth. The clock's mechanisms should be oiled every two years.