Blurred Compass Lens

[Warren Kaplan]

My 1980 CD27 has the original bulkhead mounted compass. Compass works fine but over the years the elements have taken their toll on the plastic "transparent" lens so that it is more translucent than transparent. Oddly, when washing down the boat, if plain water splashes on the lens it becomes crystal clear ...until it evaporates and then once again the compass is almost unreadable. Anyone have any secrets for "rejuvenating" the lens and permanently clearing it? Any magic formula in a bottle that will wipe away the effects of 20 years of sun, salt and spray??



Setsail728@aol.com

[john vigor]

Warren, if the plastic is not too deeply scratched, but merely scuffed, polish it with Brasso. It comes up like new.

John Vigor
CD25D "Jabula"




jvig@whidbey.net

[M. R. Bober]

You can use toothpaste and a damp cloth to work through minor haze and scratches. It works. Mint flavor doesn't help.
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330



thebobers@erols.com

[Warren Kaplan]

You can use toothpaste and a damp cloth to work through minor haze and scratches. It works. Mint flavor doesn't help.
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330

Mitchell,
Do you know if flouride will help prevent this from happening again? Also, how often do I have to brush the compass to keep those numbers smiling back at me. HAHAHAHAHA!
Warren



Setsail728@aol.com

[Ed Roberts]

Hi Warren,
He wasn't kidding. The reason the lens is translucent is that UV and wear-and-tear has created a very fine roughness on the surface, When water fills these in, it becomes transparent. Toothpaste is a mild abrasive, and will polish the plexiglas (?) back to is original smooth clarity. Other fine abrasives like Bon Ami will probably work also.
Ed R

[Catherine Monaghan]

Here's another thought. If you already have a plastic cleaner and/or polish for use on your dodger windows, it will probably work on the plastic compass as well.

catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 <a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/bcomet/real ... ization</a>, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

Hi Warren,
He wasn't kidding. The reason the lens is translucent is that UV and wear-and-tear has created a very fine roughness on the surface, When water fills these in, it becomes transparent. Toothpaste is a mild abrasive, and will polish the plexiglas (?) back to is original smooth clarity. Other fine abrasives like Bon Ami will probably work also.
Ed R

catherine_monaghan@merck.com

[Mark Yashinsky]

Take a look at the thread on cleaning pexiglass hatches. Also look into covers for the compass (and any other bulkhead instruments).