Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) Telescope Service & Restoration
We strip a Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly to its parts, clean the optics properly, re-shim and re-align them, collimate on the bench and finish with a star test. Standard service packages for Meade and Celestron SCTs from 8 to 24 inches — we will make an old telescope new again, or a new telescope better than it left the factory.
We service other two-mirror Cassegrain telescopes as well, including PlaneWave, RC Optical Systems, Optical Guidance Systems, Questar and the Asian brands.
Reopening 2027. SCT mechanical services are the second phase of our reopening, following optical coatings in January 2027. We are not accepting orders yet.
The Silver Service
A Schmidt-Cassegrain accumulates problems quietly. Shims compress, the focus mechanism stiffens and picks up shift, dust bonds to the corrector, and collimation drifts far enough that the owner stops noticing. The Silver Service addresses all of it in one pass, on the bench, with the tube apart.
- Total disassembly of the optical tube assembly, cleaning and inspection.
- Professional cleaning of the primary and secondary mirrors and the corrector plate using First Contact™ polymer.
- Cork and paper shims replaced with new material.
- Careful re-alignment of the optics and shimming to dead center.
- Re-lubrication of the SCT primary focus mechanism.
- Bench collimation of the optics.
- Star testing and final collimation.
Options and upgrades
The optics are already out of the tube, so this is the cheapest moment in a telescope's life to do any of the following.
- Mirror stripping and recoating
- Have the primary and secondary recoated while we have them apart. Priced from our coating and aluminizing price list rather than as a flat fee.
- Focuser upgrades
- Installation of FeatherTouch or Peterson Engineering focuser hardware, fitted while the tube is apart. Silver Service only.
- Interior flocking
- Lined with light-absorbing velvet to kill scattered light and lift contrast.
- Stainless fasteners
- Every fastener on the telescope replaced with 18-8 stainless steel.
- Composite tube replacement
- A composite replacement tube can be fitted — useful where the original is dented or corroded. Quoted individually.
Service prices
SCT service is the second phase of our reopening, following optical coatings in January 2027. These prices apply to work booked for the restart.
Silver Service
| SCT aperture (inches) | Standard | Rush |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | $395.00 | $595.00 |
| 9.25 | $430.00 | $645.00 |
| 10 | $450.00 | $675.00 |
| 11 | $485.00 | $730.00 |
| 12 | $520.00 | $780.00 |
| 14 | $605.00 | $910.00 |
| 16 | $695.00 | $1,045.00 |
| 18 | $805.00 | $1,210.00 |
| 20 | $925.00 | $1,390.00 |
| 22 | $1,055.00 | $1,585.00 |
| 24 | $1,200.00 | $1,800.00 |
Options
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Focuser upgrade installation | $25.00 plus parts and materials |
| Interior flocking with light-absorbing velvet | $100.00 |
| Replace all fasteners with 18-8 stainless | On request |
| Composite tube replacement | On request |
| Strip and recoat primary and secondary | On request priced from the coating list |
- A 50% deposit is required before work commences; the balance is due on completion.
- Return shipping is charged at cost and is not included in the prices above.
- Optical tube assemblies must be complete, with all original optics and mechanical parts in good order.
- Optical defects such as chips, cracks and scratches cannot be removed.
Price list effective 2026-08-20.
What we can and cannot do
Worth reading before you box anything up.
- The optical tube assembly must arrive complete.
- All original optics must be included. We cannot fabricate replacement optics.
- All original mechanical parts must be present and in good order. Some mechanical parts can be fabricated, at extra cost.
- Optical defects such as chips, cracks and scratches cannot be removed. Cleaning and recoating will not hide them.
Shipping your telescope
Package the telescope according to the manufacturer's shipping instructions and insure it well. Before shipping, check with your carrier that your packing method complies with their insurance policy — a claim denied on packing is the most common way this goes wrong.
Shipping instructions and the current delivery address are issued with your order confirmation. Please do not ship optics before contacting us.
Include with the telescope:
- The order form, completed and signed.
Return shipping is charged at cost and is not included in the service price.
Payment, liability and cancellation
Payment
A 50% deposit is required before work commences. The balance is due on completion.
Liability
Optic Wave Labs is a professional optical and mechanical company and assumes normal liability for your equipment while it is in our possession. We are not liable for the condition of materials while they are not in our possession — specifically, in transit in either direction. We are also not liable for pre-existing conditions such as chips, cracks and scratches.
Tell us about any pre-existing condition before you ship, using the order form. On receipt we inspect the telescope and report anything that looks like transit damage; those claims are between you and the carrier.
Cancellation
If you cancel an order, any refund is at our discretion as to whether, when and how much. Some of the modifications made during the work are irreversible, and cancelling mid-modification may leave a telescope that cannot be returned to its original state.
Frequently asked questions
What telescopes do you service?
Schmidt-Cassegrain and other catadioptric optical tube assemblies. We offer standard service packages for Meade and Celestron SCTs from 8 to 24 inches, and we service other two-mirror Cassegrain telescopes including PlaneWave, RC Optical Systems, Optical Guidance Systems, Questar and the Asian brands.
What does the Silver Service include?
Complete disassembly of the optical tube assembly, cleaning and inspection; professional cleaning of the primary, secondary and corrector plate with First Contact polymer; replacement of the cork and paper shims with new material; careful re-alignment and shimming of the optics to dead center; re-lubrication of the primary focus mechanism; bench collimation; and a final star test.
How much does SCT service cost?
Silver Service is $395.00 for an 8-inch, $605.00 for a 14-inch and $1,200.00 for a 24-inch. Every aperture and option is listed in the price table on this page. Return shipping is charged at cost on top.
Can you install a FeatherTouch focuser?
Yes. Installation of focuser upgrades such as FeatherTouch or Peterson Engineering hardware is $25.00 plus parts and materials, as part of the Silver Service.
Can you recoat the mirrors while you have the telescope?
Yes, and it is the natural time to do it — the optics are already out of the tube. Stripping and recoating the primary and secondary is priced from our coating list rather than as a flat fee.
Can you cut down internal reflections and improve contrast?
Yes. Interior flocking with light-absorbing velvet is $100.00. It kills scattered light inside the tube, which shows up as better contrast at the eyepiece. The tube is already apart for the Silver Service, so this is the natural time to do it.
Does my telescope need to be complete?
Yes. The optical tube assembly must arrive complete, with all original optics and all original mechanical parts in good order. We cannot fabricate replacement optics. Some mechanical parts can be fabricated at extra cost. Optical defects such as chips, cracks and scratches cannot be removed.
Do you take a deposit?
A 50% deposit is required before work commences, with the balance due on completion.