Contest compass

[LeonF]

As a follow on to a previous post- I have a couple of Contest 100s which are fine except the fluid is slightly hazy which is a slight problem at night when the lights are on. Can the fluid be replaced ? what is the best way to do this? Thanks

L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[Trevor_swfyc]

Leon,

Are you sure your hazy problem is not a tendency for the plastic to become opaque. The plastic can be polished with metal polish but I have no experience of how effective this is. If the liquid is the problem you could try filtering it which may improve its "Brightness" otherwise you would have to get replacement fluid from the manufacturer. This topic was discussed last month and it appears most modern compasses use alcohol but this has to be of the correct density and may be a mixture to derive the correct density.
Sorry I cannot be more precise.
Please revert if you solve the problem.
All the best
Trevor

 

[Guest]

I had to refill my compass last year, was told to use Esso Bayol Grade 35. This is a very thin mechanical oil used in the bakery-industry. Taste and odour free, and completely see-through. Problem was, i couldnt get in small amounts...so I used pure vaselin oil instead, which worked equally well.

 

[Guest]

I had the choice between buying a new compass at £200 or have a go at repairing my old one which was exrtemelly difficult to read because it was very dull.

I decided to overhauled my compass (not a contest) last year. Initially I thought that the liquid was murky, however, once I opened the compass I found that the spirit was clear, but the inside of the glass surface and the card were covered with a yellowish film/slime. I cleaned the surfaces and replaced the liquid with white spirit (from B & Q) applied sealand and screwed it back together.

Costed almost nothing to repair and it took me no more than one hour and now is as good as new. I am glam that I did not have to spend £200 on a new one. Have a go.

 

[ccscott49]

If it is the glass (plastic) brasso is excellent at polishing it, we used to use it on helicopter bubbles on the old sioux helicopters in the army, will polish any plexiglass or perspex.

 

[marcost]

First, you have to find out which fluid is used; it can be an oil or a mixture of water and an alcohol (ethanol, methanol, or other). Perhaps you can find it in the documentation of that compass.

I had some air in a C Plath compass, the kind of fluid to be used was mentioned on the back of the compass; and I went to a compass adjuster who sold me the right oil (1 liter for 10 euro). For filling up, a used an injection needle.

kind regards,

marc

 

[ozzyb]

When I first got my yacht seasons ago the compass face was also hazy. I use a Motor Trade, Grade A, non silicone polish (about £6/litre). It transformed the face and also protects it, only needs to be used every three months or so. I don't think its quite as aggressive as brasso (re. ccscott) and is excellent on spray hood plastic and all perspex windows. It won't eliminate deep sun aged cracks but will hide them. Remember to wash off first, as dust etc. will scratch the face.