COMPASS, PRISMATIC, Mk3 Restoration?

[Gurn]

I just bought a project, here is a pic of its paint condition. The top cover is actually worse. I'm wondering what is the proper process is to paint restoration. What kind of paint and how to properly do the white markings?

Thanks.

Information

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[Badger]

You might want to try our Milsurps custom search engine located in the top right corner of the site. It only searches our site using Google techniques and can be quite efficient. For example, in your case, type in the words compass prismatic and see what happens ..

Regards,
Doug

[Chris7171]

Hi
I think the “white paint” isn’t paint at all, but a process where lead is used and corroded in some way? Other members may be able to shed light on this.

who is the maker of the compass as some are rarer than others?

[Peter Laidler]

The cases were stripped in an acid bath and lightly bead blasted to give the new paint a good key. Hinge bar tested and replaced if necessary. Inside the bowl lightly masked, lens guard screwed on and then painted in the usual sunkorite paint*. The case lines were infilled with white quikfil while the case was warm. A bit more complicated than that in real life of course. But later on, we didn't re-line the cardinal points on the cases just black or khaki paint

* or IRR khaki after the mid to late 70's or so but touch painted in a crap PAINT, brushing, air drying, instrument, black.

[Gurn]

Hi
I think the “white paint” isn’t paint at all, but a process where lead is used and corroded in some way? Other members may be able to shed light on this.

who is the maker of the compass as some are rarer than others?

[Gurn]

Compass is stripped and just about ready for paint but I've discovered its missing three screws as seen in following pics. This was bought as a bag full of parts so I'm lucky that's all that is missing. It was already drained of fluid and the glass cover plate was already loosened. After cleaning the excess mastic the glass popped right out easily with a little pressure from my Mighty Vac in reverse. Card was nasty but cleaned up nice. All the old Radium was removed. I dabbed oil on it as I scraped it away so there was no dust. Used gloves and mask in a well ventilated work shop anyway. After the cleanup It barely had any reading at all with my CDV 700 radiation detector. Stay tuned for updates and more pics. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated as this is a first for me.

[browningautorifle]

I think you'll find more than one thread about this as Peter Laidler used to repair them to his misery at times. He did an inspirational about one some time back. If you could glass bead blast that case it would likely pay you in the end. Peter may have the small parts you seek. He has deep pockets...and there are a couple of his minions hereabouts that might also have "Stuff"...worth a WTB ad. Peter will be along to sort it in a minute...

[Gurn]

Yes, I have read several times (learn something new each time) Mr Laidler's and others threads on these and have learned much from the valuable info here. Thanks to everyone here and the well of knowledge this great site offers.
Thank you for your advice.

Gurn

[browningautorifle]

By the way, hope you'll show us once it's done...doesn't matter how long that takes.

[Gurn]

I will, in fact I will keep everyone up to date with pics and how and what I do.

Is a 1939 a low production year? I don't know if I've seen another? Most seem to be later.

BTW, here are pics of the state it was in before I got it. A real basket case. I love a good challenge.









If I have to I will replace the broken cover glass with a pocket watch crystal, I have about 125 assorted sizes so I know I have one that will fit. It will be slightly convex and have no line. First I'm going to try to repair the cracks with RainX windshield repair kit. It probably wont work but there is no hurt in trying. It will make for some good pics at least.

Stay tuned