Cloudy instrument covers...1986 hunter 25.5

[sailorkoop]

I recently purchased a 1986 hunter 25.5 and have some things that need to be fixed. The covers on the instrument guages are all cloudy from the sun i suppose. You can't see the depth gauge at all and knots gauge is looking pretty bad. Im told the depth gauge is pinging and probably working fine. You just can't see it!!

Where can i buy the plastic/glass or whatever it is to replace these and how do i keep this from happeneing again? I assume there must be some sun covers for the plastic or some such things??

All comments and suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Sailorkoop!

 

[Steve Dion]

What brand of instruments?

Contact the mfg to see if they have a rebuild program.

 

[navigator97]

Until you find replacement covers, you may want to try one of the automobile headlight cleaners. They work pretty well to clear up cloudy headlights.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Usually you can use other means for cleaning a lense. Use wet and dry sandpaper using water starting with 400 -800 which has worked well. Also, a compound with a low grade buffer will work. An automotive compound sold in stores will work. I would try this first.

Creazy Dave Condn

 

[sailorkoop]

Thanks for all the great ideas!!

Greatly appreciate your knowledge!

Sailorkoop!

 

[shanker]

If you don't want to buy a lens polishing kit or wet dry paper, you can use toothpaste or peanut butter (just takes a little longer). I won a bet with my smart a$% son when I suggested that for his cloudy headlight lenses on his '95 Intrepid.

I polished all my light lens covers on my Mac last year (bow, stern, anchor all around light and mast light) and it made a very noticable difference.

If you have just cloudyness either method should work (paper or a kit). If you have crackle in the lenses, I would start with 400 grit paper, then 800, then 1600 and finish with the polish. The polish kits seems to really make it pop a little better that paper does. They should definately be salvageable. Good luck. Show some before and after picks.

 

[sailorkoop]

Excellent ideas!

Thank You!

This board is a great wealth of great information for a novice like me.

I thank you all!

Sailorkoop!

 

[C Jones]

I just use an automotive polish on my tinted factory h23 windows. This only lasts 3 months but its easy and fast to do. Name brand does not seem to matter as I have used 4 kinds with the same good results

 

[Barnacle Bill]

If the manufacturer of your instruments are still in business, I would send them in and have new bezel glass replaced. It won't be much and maybe they will just send you a new bezel (case). If antiquated and no longer in biz, then the other suggestions might help.