Murky Compass Glass

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Tillernut

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I know it's not glass but it makes no difference, I still can't see the card. Is there anything I can do to rectify this problem. There has been no cover on this and the sun has damaged it.

Regards
Terry
 
Last edited:
Tillernut said:
I know it's not glass but it makes no difference, I still can't see the card. Is there anything I can do to rectify this problem. There has been no cover on this and the sun has damaged it.

Regards
Terry
Click to expand...

speak with Barry Phillips

BPSC Marine Services
Unit 4 Park Business Centre
1 Park Road
Southampton
SO15 3US

sorry i have lost his number / email
 
Toothpaste - it's a very mild abrasive. Worked a treat on mine which was also damaged by long exposure to the sun.
 
Funnily enough I have the very same compass with the very same problem.

Saying that the previous owner has said it leaks oil a tiny bit so perhaps I may have to bite the bullet and get a new one :(
 
Sun damage to a compass

The sun will kill a compass by making the plastic bowl murky and also by getting the oil too hot so that it is forced past the expansion bellows and out any place it can. I doubt any work will make the compass right. By all means try tooth past or a plastic polish but you may find no oil in it anyway.
Have a new one and make sure it is always covered when you leave the boat. My similar compass has been in Oz sun for 28 years but always covered and is still OK.
The proper plastic cover supplied didn't last long. I stuck velcro around the top and sides of the compass and made up a patch of cloth with velcro on the edges. It is screwed at the bottom permanently and sticks up over the compass to protect it.In fact I seldom open it.

I worked with light aircraft for a long time. The compass is often mounted on top of the dash board (coaming) so in the sun inside the windscreen. Being black painted metal they get very hot. The usual thing is to get a beer can or stubby holder made of polystyrene cut a slot in the styrene so that the can holder covers the body of the compass. The compass lasts a lot longer.

good luck olewill
 
Polish it with tee cut on a buffing mop, make sure you dont overheat it. Or if you want to be very posh try Fenwicks acrylic polish and their polishing kit. (also works on hatches and windows.)
 
I have emailed Barry at BPSC and he says to buy a new one. I think I will do this but will try toothpaste or T Cut on it when I change it! Thanks to everyone who has posted.
Regards
Terry
 
ghostlymoron said:
Last winter I found that the cover was frequently blown off by the wind so I cleverly stuck the cover on with Duck tape. Anyone know the best way to remove Duct tape glue from plastic compass covers?
Click to expand...

I have used a product called ZOFF, obtained from chemists< which is for getting sticking plaster residue from skin. If you can use it on skin I think it must be OK on perspex.
 
Toothpaste is very good for removing the bloom from plastic.
But to give it a shine to restore it to new use Bluebell Metal Polish gently applied with a yellow duster. When the polish is rubbed and you get a shine, then apply e second helping of Bluebell and let it dry. Once dry, rub off gently again with a dry spot in the yellow duster. You will be amazed.:D
 
Tillernut said:
I have emailed Barry at BPSC and he says to buy a new one. I think I will do this but will try toothpaste or T Cut on it when I change it! Thanks to everyone who has posted.
Regards
Terry
Click to expand...

Seems like you are half ignoring what has been said here.

Don't bother trying to change it UNTIL you have tried the toothpaste, which, by the way is less abrasive than T Cut. Use a yellow duster to apply and remove, dont get tempted to use a kitchen scouring sponge.

I promise you a good result without resorting to spending £100 quid on a new compass.
 
FullCircle said:
Seems like you are half ignoring what has been said here.

Don't bother trying to change it UNTIL you have tried the toothpaste, which, by the way is less abrasive than T Cut. Use a yellow duster to apply and remove, dont get tempted to use a kitchen scouring sponge.

I promise you a good result without resorting to spending £100 quid on a new compass.
Click to expand...

I thought it may have been easier for me to renew as my partner and I are driving down to the boat at Xmas to do several jobs e.g. renew plywood inside, renew hatch, install solar panel and remove sea toilet and replace with a Porta Potti. Plus lots of other small jobs. However as lots of you are certain about toothpaste, you've not seen the state of my teeth!, I will give it a go BEFORE I replace the unit. I do appreciate any info I get from my posts from you guys who are so much more experienced than me, please don't think that I was ignoring or disbelieving what you had said. Perhaps, rather than buy a new compass I will buy a cover?
Regards
Terry
 
Well from someone who has a very milky looking compass at the mo, i'd say regardless of wheter you clean-up the old one or buy a new one, the first priority should be a half decent cover to stop it hapenning again. 100 odd quid is still 100 odd quid and you don't want to be shelling that out too frequently when you don't have to.
 
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