New life for faded compass

[Jackdaw]

My Plastimo Mini Compass is as old as BlueJ, and has gone without a cover for as long as I've owned her. Recently while looking a brand new compass I was struck how yellow and cloudy my globe was. Too the the point I was ready to order a new compass. With a cover.

But on a lark I figured I would try a headlamp restoration system on it. All the reviews pointed to the Sylvania one being far and away the best.

$20 and 20 minutes later it's a new compass. The picture does not do it justice. Wow. 180 bucks saved, and a new cover is on its way!

https://www.osram-americas.com/en-us/products/automotive/Pages/headlight-restoration-kit.aspx

 

[Davidasailor26]

Very good! I wonder if the plastic will still have its original durability or if it will yellow faster now.

 

[Jackdaw]

Very good! I wonder if the plastic will still have its original durability or if it will yellow faster now.

The reviewers said that the Sylvania kit (which has 7 steps) includes a UV inhibitor as its last coating and was the only one to not exhibit the return of yellowing.

 

[Kermit]

Too bad it won't fix cracks. Mine is all cracked and dry. It still work. Just can't see it.

 

[Captain Ron 18]

I've been using auto rubbing compound on the car headlights - works remarkably well and stays clear for at least a year between treatments. I see no reason to believe that it wouldn't work for compass, as well. And somewhat less expensive...

 

[Sailor Sue]

I used a similar headlight kit to renew the plastic drop boards and companionway slider on our boat. Not as good as new, but it removed a lot of the crazing, and it's much easier to see through.

 

[NYSail]

I sent my 30 year old compass on my last boat back to the manufacturer and for about $200 they replace the globe clean refilled replaced everything... the thing looked brand new

 

[plenny7]

Very nice! Do you have a "before" photo?

 

[NYSail]

I'll try and dig one up.... though I can say the dome was clouded and small cracks, the fluid low and the dial faded.....

 

[Jackdaw]

Very nice! Do you have a "before" photo?

My neighbors. Mine looked like this just more yellow.

Now. Better pix than yesterday. Note how much more my clinometer lable has UV faded.

Side by side in our slips... notice now they both read the exact same heading? ;-)

 

[Captn Scotty]

It would seem you guys have no deviation at all on either vessel?

 

[Daveinet]

Toothpaste also works. Works well for plexiglass windows. The only limitation is that the isn't any coating to put on it as a UV inhibitor. Of course Plexiglass does not need a UV inhibitor. Acrylic is transparent to UV. I think most of these lenses are ABS.

 

[Jackdaw]

It would seem you guys have no deviation at all on either vessel?

At least not at that heading! ;-)

Mines been swung and has compensators. The one on the Capri I'm sure has not but has no steel to speak of nearby.

 

[Captn Scotty]

At least not at that heading! ;-)

Mines been swung and has compensators. The one on the Capri I'm sure has not but has no steel to speak of nearby.

Well then, you know whoever adjusted your compass did a good job!