Compass Lens Turned Cloudy

Compass Lens Turned Cloudy

With age the once clear plastic globe over the front of my compass clouded over. It was my fault…the compass plastic cover died years ago and I never replaced it and the lens yellowed and became more or less translucent.

The same thing happens with car headlight lenses, and the fix for both is the same. You can buy a lens cleaning kit at an Auto Parts Store that will clean and make clear the lens, or go a long way to making the lens clear again. If it will not clean up well enough, you are out only a few dollars. You do not want to spend a lot of money on it if you still have to replace it…right.

With my compass, it cleaned up very well. Not all the yellowing came out, but you can now see and read the compass card. 8-) You may need to polish the lens two or three times, and each time it gets a little better. The compass will last me another year for sure, and if I keep polishing it, it should still get better.

Tooth paste will also work. It has a mild abrasive in it and it will work on most plastics. Tooth paste is a little messy but it works well and it is easily available and cheap.

If you have to replace the compass, check out the digital compasses that are now available. They are smaller and the cost is reasonable. If you replace it with another magnetic one, get a good one. Most of Ritchie’s compasses are both repairable and have 2 yr. or more warranties.    

This is the Tacktik, solar powered digital sailing compass. It is waterproof, no wiring needed, all you have to do is mount it.