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info pls! should i restore or leave original? george nelson ball clock  

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sx455raidercelticfan
(@sx455raidercelticfanhotmail-com)
New Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 3
16/11/2010 2:20 am  

hi every1 im new and need a experts advice, im buying my mom a original george nelson ball clock for xmas, its all original and in very good condition but the brass is faded and has some areas that look almost like rust, i want it 2 look perfect but i dont want 2 ruin the value of it should i just leave it alone or should i have it the brass restored?? if some1 could please point me in the right direction it would help me out alot, thank you


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(@jazzbosympatico-ca)
Famed Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 319
16/11/2010 2:49 am  

If you want it to look perfec...
If you want it to look perfect, I would suggest buying a new Vitra re-issue ball clock.
Any vintage clock will show some aging, that is part of the charm.
As for value, most collectors would prefer to buy the clock in original, unrestored condition.
IMO, if you want it to look new, buy new.


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(@tick)
Noble Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 243
16/11/2010 11:11 am  

Restore or original
I think the beauty of most vintage pieces is the patina which tells the story of a pieces age. Think of it as wrinkles that add character. If the piece has rust there are things you can do to slow down the process, but if you do want a perfect piece for mom it's a good idea to buy a vitra reissue and enjoy Nelson's design in it's brand new glory.
Myself, I quite like the wrinkles. Whatever you choose, I'm sure it will put a smile on your mom's face.


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sx455raidercelticfan
(@sx455raidercelticfanhotmail-com)
New Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 3
16/11/2010 11:47 pm  

thanks 4 the info! ill leave...
thanks 4 the info! ill leave it alone


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Sound & Design
(@fdaboyaol-com)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 1445
17/11/2010 2:37 am  

I'd like to add...
If your...
I'd like to add...
If your mother has a collection of mid-century furnishing, study up on what she has. Take note of condition. If she hasn't made extensive restoration to her pieces, it's likely she'll appreciate a Nelson clock in vintage condition. If all her stuff is from DWR or what not, I would consider a new or fully restored clock. Personally, I don't consider restoring a Nelson ball clock sacrilegious. It's not ideal but not wrong as they're pretty common.


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barrympls
(@barrympls)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 2649
17/11/2010 4:54 am  

Can you
lightly steel wool (with very fine steel wool) those rust spots and then shine up the brass with Brasso?
I think it's worth a try.
What color are the balls...and is the clock electric or a vintage battery operated?


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Poach
(@chrome1000hotmail-com)
Noble Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 203
17/11/2010 5:51 am  

polishing the brass center
Barry makes it sound easy, but...
The brass body clocks have a clear coat. Where the coating fails, the brass corrodes. That's why the corrosion usually looks sort of blotchy. Getting rid of the blotchy corrosion takes some effort.
You have to strip off the coating to polish the brass. Any good metal polish will get rid of the corrosion, but you have to be careful not to damage the brass, which is just plating over a base metal. It's very thin, and easy to damage with abrasives.
Once stripped and polished, the brass looks far too bright. For it look "right" again, you have to wait several months for the brass to oxidize to a more muted tone, and reapply a clear coat.


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sx455raidercelticfan
(@sx455raidercelticfanhotmail-com)
New Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 3
17/11/2010 8:19 am  

my moms house is all 1950s...
my moms house is all 1950s from couch, bedroom set, to the dishs its taken years of searching her weekends and hours on ebay 2 find the right pieces
i called 2 buy the clock 2day and just my luck its sold, i knew i should of bought it on the spot but i was worried about the faded brass and rust, it looks like im on the hunt again


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