Dirty/opaque compass - how to clean

[Robert Wilson]

I read on the fora that dirty/opaque compasses can be cleaned using a household product. I've tried a search but nothing coming-up.
I know liquid parafin/baby oil can be used to top-up/refill the compass, perhaps it's the same for cleaning?
The "clouding" seems to be on the outside, and has a "crazed" appearance.

Any ideas what the "product" is?

TIA

 

[VicS]

3

I read on the fora that dirty/opaque compasses can be cleaned using a household product. I've tried a search but nothing coming-up.
I know liquid parafin/baby oil can be used to top-up/refill the compass, perhaps it's the same for cleaning?
The "clouding" seems to be on the outside, and has a "crazed" appearance.

Any ideas what the "product" is?

TIA

Metal polish eg Brasso combined with elbow grease might remove light scratching. I doubt if anything will restore one which is discoloured, opaque or badly crazed. Avoid anything containing solvents of any kind.

If you value your compass obtain the correct fluid for it from a compass repairer if it needs topping up.

 

[Sailingsaves]

I read on the fora that dirty/opaque compasses can be cleaned using a household product. I've tried a search but nothing coming-up.
I know liquid parafin/baby oil can be used to top-up/refill the compass, perhaps it's the same for cleaning?
The "clouding" seems to be on the outside, and has a "crazed" appearance.

Any ideas what the "product" is?

TIA

There is a polish for acrylic (don't know if your compass is acrylic or polycarbonate or what) that works very well.

If you cannot find acrylic polish (could be good for use on windows later?) then maybe try a mild (not gritty) toothpaste on a sample test patch area; I have had some success with toothpaste and some failures.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Thanks for those responses.
The compass doesn't need topping-up, thank goodness for one less job on the list!

I think it may have been the toothpaste trick which I heard about before. I'll try it - when the gale and rain stops. Pity after three lovely days, back to West Highland weather - please take your jet stream southwards again.........

 

[saltylegs]

I used 3M fibreglass restorer and some fibreglass polish.

 

[Norman_E]

I would not use brasso because it is too abrasive and can leave Perspex quite cloudy. Proper Perspex polish is gentler and non abrasive toothpaste might doo just as well if it is tested first on an inconspicuous area. On some compasses removing the surround exposes an area to test.

 

[BarryH]

Machinemart stock a "plastics" polishing kit. I have had amazing results with that on plastic windows and plastic headlights.

 

[William_H]

I bought a polish /cleaner at a motor car accessory shop sold for cleaning headlights. It seems to work fairly well on my sun damaged perspex windows. Although as said plastic will deteriorate beyond repair. I always keep a cover over my compass. good luck olewill

 

[LadyInBed]

I seem to recall reading that nail varnish remover does a job.

 

[onesea]

I used 3M fibreglass restorer and some fibreglass polish.

Will try some of these methods, but does any one know where I can get those compass light holders? or how to light them when you are without them...

 

[Robert Wilson]

I bought a polish /cleaner at a motor car accessory shop sold for cleaning headlights. It seems to work fairly well on my sun damaged perspex windows. Although as said plastic will deteriorate beyond repair. I always keep a cover over my compass. good luck olewill

Sadly, my boat came without the cover. I'll try the local (72 miles away!!) motor factors, thanks. And I'll try for some of BarryH's PPK too.

I seem to recall reading that nail varnish remover does a job.

I'll add nail varnish to my ditty bag, along with the toothpaste, Brasso and PPK. I'll be verrrry careful experimenting on small unimportant areas!


And will you PLEASE take your Jetstream back, as I previously asked - it's FOUL up here. It's not helped by Weather Girls and Men reporting "beeyoootiful weather for the whole country", and then quietly adding "apart from the far Northwest of Scotland".
Bah. Humbug:disgust:

 

[quimby]

And will you PLEASE take your Jetstream back, as I previously asked - it's FOUL up here. It's not helped by Weather Girls and Men reporting "beeyoootiful weather for the whole country", and then quietly adding "apart from the far Northwest of Scotland".
Bah. Humbug
_____________________________________________
We will hold a referendum on the above and let you know!:encouragement:

 

[Robert Wilson]

And will you PLEASE take your Jetstream back, as I previously asked - it's FOUL up here. It's not helped by Weather Girls and Men reporting "beeyoootiful weather for the whole country", and then quietly adding "apart from the far Northwest of Scotland".
Bah. Humbug
_____________________________________________
We will hold a referendum on the above and let you know!:encouragement:

Well please hurry up and hold it!

I'm a tad fearful that now that the JS has returned "north" to it's habitual location it's here to stay and we shall get the prevailing wet westerlies all the time - which makes all the work done/being done on the boat a complete sodding waste of time, effort and money.!!

 

[2copplane]

I found normal cream cleaner does wonders on my old compass. Not that I ever used it...

 

[nigelmercier]

I seem to recall reading that nail varnish remover does a job.

Acetone: it will dissolve, or mark the plastic.

Get the proper stuff: http://amzn.to/PCFu8e

 

[William_H]

Sadly, my boat came without the cover. I'll try the local (72 miles away!!) motor factors, thanks. And I'll try for some of BarryH's PPK too.

My plastic compass cover quickly fell to bits in the sun. I made one out of sail cloth. A few pleats gave it a concave shape to match the bowl. It was attached with velcro screwed to the bulkhead around the compass and velcro on the sailcloth cover. Ultimately I screwed the cover on the bottom edge. Funny I don't think I have uncovered it all season. A little project for you if you have a domestic sewing machine and an old sail. good luck olewill

 

[John the kiwi]

Will try some of these methods, but does any one know where I can get those compass light holders? or how to light them when you are without them...

Not sure exactly what compass light holder you mean, but my compass light failed when i was refitting it. Tiny little bulb. I went to local electronics bits shop and a nice young man sold me a tiny white LED and even calculated the volt drop and resistance i would need and sold me a packet of 5 resistors. He was sorry he said that i had to buy 5 as i only needed one but that's how they were packaged. Cost like 50p Total. Where oh where do you get service like that any more?
Anyway the small white LED fits the housing and works well.
Good luck.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Sadly, my boat came without the cover. I'll try the local (72 miles away!!) motor factors, thanks. And I'll try for some of BarryH's PPK too.

My plastic compass cover quickly fell to bits in the sun. I made one out of sail cloth. A few pleats gave it a concave shape to match the bowl. It was attached with velcro screwed to the bulkhead around the compass and velcro on the sailcloth cover. Ultimately I screwed the cover on the bottom edge. Funny I don't think I have uncovered it all season. A little project for you if you have a domestic sewing machine and an old sail. good luck olewill

Were you a boy scout? !!

Thanks for the advice, and encouragement - but I think I have enough projects to keep me busy for many a month yet! At the rate the jos keep piling up having an obscured compass is irrelevant as I can't see the boat ever getting back in the water!
Just started to scrape off the old antifoul (8 years at least, I reckon) - estimated bare-gelcoat-stage is about a month of solid day-in day-out scraping.

Well, keeps one out of the swindleries!

 

[onesea]

Not sure exactly what compass light holder you mean.

John its the black bits at the bottom held on with 2 screws, I believe they are the light holders.
my compasses are in a rather exposed place and they are missing. If all else fails it will be trial and error and LEDS from underneath, another job on the list...