Clock Cleaning & Lubrication Services

  WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?  When a Kit Cat clock has run long enough for its electric motor to fail, it has also run long enough to require a thorough cleaning and fresh lubrication before the new motor is installed in the clock. If a new motor is installed in a clock burdened by lint, dust, dried-up oil, and other debris, the new electric motor will probably also fail prematurely. So, obviously, the clock mechanism has to be cleaned completely and relubricated in order to eliminate the cause of the first motor's failure. If this is not done, it is easy to predict that the new electric motor will soon fail -- and it does!!!

  HOW SHOULD MY CLOCK BE SERVICED?  When I service a Kit Cat, Owl, French Poodle, Teddy Bear, or Panda Bear clock (they are nearly identical internally), I first disassemble it then clean all parts by hand. I clean the clock body, the eyes, the back, the tail -- in short, I completely clean the entire clock, inside and outside. Next, I inspect each part for wear and/or damage, then I apply the correct lubricant in the proper amount where needed, and I reassemble all parts. When the clock is fully cleaned, lubricated, and reassembled, I hang it on my clock test stand for at least 72 hours (and usually longer) before carefully packing it for return to its owner. Each clock must pass a time accuracy test before it leaves my shop.

  WHAT DO YOU CHARGE?   Altogether, I spend about one and a half to two hours servicing each clock; therefore, my charge is $25 per clock serviced for the cleaning and lubrication (the "servicing") portion of the job.

  CAN I SERVICE MY OWN CLOCK?  Yes, many people buy my 6-page, well-illustrated Kit Cat Clock Service Guide which sells for $4.00 (includes postage).  CLICK HERE  for more information about this service guide. If you are not eager to try this, however, please trust your instincts. Quite a few people try servicing their own clock(s) to save some money, learn there is a lot more to the project than they first thought, then end up sending me all the parts in a plastic bag along with a note asking for help!  CLICK HERE  for some tips you will need if you decide to service your own clock.

  WHAT IF I DON'T SERVICE THE CLOCK?  That is your choice, of course, but there is no warranty on the new electric motor when the clock is not cleaned properly. You see, new electric motors have a 1-year warranty when installed in properly serviced clocks, but there can be no warranty when the clock is not correctly serviced. Should a claim for replacing a motor under warranty arise, I will ask the owner to send the entire clock to me, not just the motor. If the clock is dirty, there is no warranty! If the clock is clean and correctly lubricated, I will immediately replace the motor at no charge and with no questions asked!