Workshop Hints
Ageing paper dials.
The British Horological Institute has archived and edited the following from e-mails sent to the Clocks/ClockSmiths mailing lists on the Internet. The information here does not necessarily indicate a method approved by the BHI, we are only publishing this digest so that others can decide for themselves whether the methods listed below will suit them.
On many American clocks and cheap alarm clocks the dials are paper. These tend to get damaged with age. However if you need to replace the dial with a new one it can spoil the look of the clock.
Here are a couple of suggestions for ageing the dial to make it look correct for the clock.
An old fashioned method is to use Potassium Permanganate. Use a weak solution of Potassium Permanganate (KmnO4) and water. Use just enough chemical to make the solution a deep purple colour. Brush the solution onto the dial. When the dial dries it will turn a dull brownish colour.
Another method is to use a solution of black coffee. Again brush this lightly onto the dial and allow to dry
Both these methods will require some practice to get right, so practice on some spare card first.
