Available in a variety of styles, shapes and colors, quartz wall clocks make an affordable time-keeping option for any room in the home or office. Like any mechanical operation, however, they aren't exempt from the occasional need for repair, which can easily be done with a little knowledge and patience.
What Basic Repairs Can be Made?
The first and easiest problem to fix is restoring the clock's battery power, which is done by removing the battery from the back of the clock and replacing it with a fresh one. If the battery contact points – those little metal tabs inside the terminal – are corroded, you can usually clean them by first removing any loose corrosion with a moist paper towel before using a small bit of sandpaper to exfoliate any additional material from the contacts.
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A clock's hands can need adjusting over time for a number of reasons. If your clock is running slow, hands could be touching and will need to be adjusted in order to function properly. Another reason for this could be that the hex nut in the center is too tight, so try loosening it a quarter turn to allow the hands to move with ease. If hands tend to get stuck around 6 o'clock, tighten things up by pushing the hands firmly down onto the shaft that holds them. Clock hands can also become bent over time, so if your hands are sticky or seem to be pushing up against the plastic clock face, use your fingers or a pair of pliers to manipulate them in the right direction.
Where Can I Find Replacement Parts?
Replacement parts for quartz clocks can be found at most watch and clock repair shops and a variety of places online. When searching for replacement parts, take care to note whether your clock's movement is of the press-on, I-shaft or high torque variety before purchasing.
What Problems Aren’t Worth Fixing?
Although most problems that a quartz wall clock might run into can be fixed without too much stress or money, some simply aren't worth fixing and you might be better off replacing the whole thing entirely. If you find that your clock is frequently off-time even after you've situated its hands, your clock hands are bent beyond repair or the plastic cap that covers your clock face is scratched or damaged, it is usually worth springing for a new model entirely.