Foggy compass dome? Try Brasso!

[speedoo]

Unless the plastic has been fogged up below the surface, it will clear it right up. I had a binnacle compass that was unprotected from the sun... 24 year old Florida boat that I recently acquired. The compass dome was so opaque that the numbers were tough to read. I figured the dome had to be replaced.

I got on the phone, looking for a replacement dome or repair. Called Viking Compass Repair..

COMPASS REPAIR

The gentleman there quoted me a price for the repair that made buying a replacement compass a better option. He also told me that it was tricky enough repair that buying a replacement dome from him was not advisable.

Just before hanging up I asked him if there was any way to clear the dome up and that's when he suggested trying Brasso.

Thirty minutes later, the compass dome was pretty much completely transparent!

[shadow]

I agree, I love brasso!! Nice to know that it works on that too!!

[speedoo]

Originally Posted by shadow

I agree, I love brasso!! Nice to know that it works on that too!!

I must admit, this was probably the fIrst time I've used the stuff since I was in the USNavy, decades ago. Polished the brass belt buckles with it back then.

OK so I can see using it on bow and stern pulpits and any other stainless that's visible. Where else do you use it?

[DeepFrz]

Reckitt Benckiser Professional - Our Products

[Alan Wheeler]

You can also get cutting compounds specifically for plastics. Great for taking the haze out of windows etc. and good for the compass too.

[GordMay]

Whether you use Brasso, toothpaste, or one of the commercial plastic polishes to clear up the haze, the technique is largely the same.
Just put some on a small cloth and use it as if you were using a very fine rubbing compound, turning the cloth as needed and re-wetting with the polish, then finishing with a clean, dry cloth. Repeat until any haze, scratches, and pitting disappear. These products generally are very fine abrasives, not just cleaners, so they actually grind out the scratches and pits, with a little bit of effort.
After polishing plastic parts, often the plastics haze over much quicker than they did originally. This is because the manufacturer coats the lens with a protective layer, which polishing removes.
Some of the polishing kits have a final protective coating you put on, after polishing. You can also use a product like 303 Aerospace Protectant or paste wax. These after-treatments may help the repair last longer.