Wall Grandfather Clock Upcycle

4 Materials
$20
4 Hours
Medium

Every once in a while you come across a real gem at the thrift store and when I saw this hanging Grandfather clock, I knew that is was destined for a stunning upcycle.


I am a huge fan of upcycling. I find that people throw out so many wonderful treasures that could totally be repurposed into something new, chic and trendy.


Let me show you what I did to this clock and you can let me know in the comments what you think.

Here's what the clock looked like at the thrift store.


I scooped up this little treasure for just $7.99.

The first thing I did when I got this little baby home was take it apart. The pendulum was already broken and just sitting inside the clock so that was easy to take out.


I removed the clock face with a screw driver an took out the glass.


I gave this treasure a fresh new coat of paint with some Country Chic Paint in the colour String of Pearls.

I did two coats of paint. After I let the paint dry for 12 hours, I used 80 grit sand paper to reveal the dark colour of the clock underneath — just around the edges.


This gave my clock a chic yet rustic look.

I cut some wood shims to fit the back of my clock and then stained them in Weathered Grey stain.

I arranged the wood shims on clock backing for totally new look.


This also worked well to cover the whole left by the clock mechanisms that I took out.

To secure the woos shims in place, I added two piece of thin corner trim to each side and then secured them with an air nailer.

I added in a tiny little shelf by cutting a piece of 1x2 and then securing it in place with my air nailer.

Now instead of a clock, I have an adorably chic rustic shelf unit.


I am so happy with how this turned out and so glad that I was able to give a broken old clock new life.

If you love this project make sure you check out my video on Tangi!

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Holly Grace
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  • Jeanb3125 Jeanb3125 on Apr 02, 2021

    I would like to make one like this, but somehow using the clock face (or part of it) and the pendulum somehow in the shelf. Do you have any ideas for doing this. We just LOVE your project. Thanks for sharing

  • Babs Donovan Babs Donovan on Mar 31, 2022

    How did you remove the gold swirls on the glass?

  • Katen Katen 5 days ago

    Where were you ten years ago?!? Received as wedding present in ‘78 from sister. HATED it. Cheap looking and not interested in winding. Held onto in back of closet because sis gave me. Finally Goodwilled it, never used only opened to please her but never out of box. I would rather die than hurt her feelings. However your remake makes me wish I’d have held on longer; could have remade, enjoyed and displayed and enjoyed happy thoughts of my sister rather than silently cursing dust covered box in back of closet. Very nice upgrade

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  • Marilee H Marilee H on Mar 30, 2022

    Love your upcycle of the clock. I have one that's almost identical, I may have to do this to it. It's not a grandfather clock though.

  • Kim Kim on Apr 02, 2022

    It’s Just too cute Holly! My granddaughter would absolutely love this!

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