Plastic compass restoration

[Pacofan]

I have a plastic bulkhead mounted compass in the cockpit, as I suspect do many of you. The clear plastic bowl has become a bit opaque over time, making the compass difficult to read. I their a cleaner or T-cut like susstance that can improve this?

 

[White Horse]

You could try

Brasso . The lads at work use it to polish marks from perspex .

 

[FullCircle]

Brasso good, so is toothpaste. Neither will scratch the lens, both will take off the opacity.

 

[seanfoster]

I've got the same problem, so I'll give that a try. The fluid is low in mine, I've read various threads on what to refill it with, with suggestions included gin, baby oil etc? Is there a definitive answer to this?

 

[john_morris_uk]

I've got the same problem, so I'll give that a try. The fluid is low in mine, I've read various threads on what to refill it with, with suggestions included gin, baby oil etc? Is there a definitive answer to this?

I wish you luck with the refilling, but in nearly all the ones that I've tried to sort out, there's been a hole in the diaphragm and the fluid leaks out again. (I've tried gin - but a very light oil (white spirit?) is nearer the mark with some compasses.)

 

[fergie_mac66]

bay oil

different manufacturers use different fillings my old sestrel used bay oil. It had a leak on the Diaphragm . As it was brass I soldered the edge of the Diaphragm(after emptying it ) then refilled it got the bay oil from a compass correction company in hull blowed if I can remember the name .. but anyway i digress you have to fill with the right stuff because the wrong stuff can dissolve the lettering on the compass card . its worth putting the stuff and the compass in fridge for a few hours as it allows the liquid to expand when it gets warm and then in winter when its cold and the liquid contracts, the expansion Diaphragm doesn't go beyond the minimum which can cause seepage of air into the seals when when it hits the stops so as to speak.
edit: sometime you can clear plastic with brasso but if its glass jewellers rouge floated in a smidge of light oil can be better dont know where to get the rouge now everywhere's closed down.. the brown man gets everywhere

 

[colvic987]

If its that bad, then just get a new one, not worth the trouble trying to get it filled and clearer screen...

 

[Tillernut]

I have tried toothpaste and I have found that it didn't work for me.

 

[bomdia]

THe product is called 'Xerapol'. I bought it from a local car supplies place. It removes scratches from clear plastics like perspex and acrylic.
I takes a bit of time/rubbing, although the results are good. A compass dome should be done it 15 mins i reckon.
a tube cost 6 or 7 pounds.
If anyone could tell me how to restore the yellowed plastic surround to my compoass binnacle i'd be grateful.

 

[billmacfarlane]

If it's the fluid contact BPSC at Southampton. They supplied me with the fluid(Isopar L), when my Silva compass went opaque last year. Filling it was a matter of getting hold of a syringe and thin plastic tube, and a bit of patience at the end to get rid of the inevitable bubble.

 

[FullCircle]

I have tried toothpaste and I have found that it didn't work for me.

Send it to me. I stand by 20 years of performing this miracle.