George Nelson Clock Restoration??  

Does it just look dingy, or
are there losses to the original paint?
Perhaps all it needs is a thorough cleaning?
I'd try to keep it as original as possible. but, of course, it's yours now and you can do with it whatever you wish.

only a little
the hour hand of the clock has a little crimp in it (nothing major) and a little paint has worn away from that area. other than that im sure your right it just needs a good cleaning. I restored dozens of chairs, tables, etc... but im nervous about playing with a clock.lol.

Lots of cotton balls and swabs.
Maybe a drop or two of liquid dishwashing deregent in a bowl of warm water. Wet a swab with the solution and go over a +/- one square inch area at a time. Don't rub too hard and inspect the swab regularly to make sure you don't remove any color. Discard soiled swabs for fresh often and blot dry with cotton.
If the weak detergent solution doesn't cut it, try adding a bit of denatured alcohol.
Touch-up the area of loss with some artist's watercolor and a tiny brush. Easily washed away if you don't get the color quite right the first time.
Have fun!

Thanks
i'll give it a go. i'll post a photo when its done. Im pretty excited about this clock. I know there pretty common but i've wanted one for a while now and the means in which i got it make it something special. thanks again.