Nanuq Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 I ran across some photos on VRF showing Superdome crystals that have been crazed from UV exposure. They're fascinating, but I'm not real sure I like them. Thoughts? This photo barely shows how the crystal on my Sharkie is starting to do the same.
Demsey Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 My Furuno depth/fish finder is like that. Couldn't imagine liking a watch crystal like it. Either.
freddy333 Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 Although the sun does damage crystals (oxidizes/makes them brittle over time), I think the actually crazing (hairline cracking) occurs (to oxidized/brittle crystals) from temperature & pressure changes (frequent expansions/contractions).
jmb Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 I think they need new crystals! If this was done artificially then some things can be carried a bit too far...
dluddy Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 I'm all for vintage but if my crystal looked like that I'd replace it
Member X Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 That would bug me something chronic lol
Brightight Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 I have to agree, those would be candidates for new replacements in my book. When it interferes with seeing the dial and hands it's over the top for me.
Nanuq Posted October 13, 2009 Author Report Posted October 13, 2009 Freddy, I don't know if you remember but a few years ago we were talking about how aged crystals took on more and more of an amber tint. Someone (IT WASN'T ME!) subjected a Superdome to some crazy intense UV at his job and reported that after about 30 to 40 hours he started seeing this crazing but no color change. He told us "Stop! Stop! It's ruining the crystal!" and little did we realize... Fascinating, eh??
freddy333 Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 Freddy, I don't know if you remember but a few years ago we were talking about how aged crystals took on more and more of an amber tint. Someone (IT WASN'T ME!) subjected a Superdome to some crazy intense UV at his job and reported that after about 30 to 40 hours he started seeing this crazing but no color change. He told us "Stop! Stop! It's ruining the crystal!" and little did we realize... Fascinating, eh?? Yes, I remember that now. You may be right. But I also recall that the light source generated heat, which may have been the catalyst that prompted the cracking. Either way, I agree with the others - when the lens gets cloudy, it is time to change the lens.
Ronin Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 Interesting. Anyone with extra domes to play with should do a Freezer (or Nanuq's Backyard ) -to- Hot water bath -to- freezer a couple of times. If that is the look you are going for. Science!!! Gotta love it.
Nanuq Posted October 13, 2009 Author Report Posted October 13, 2009 Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. A freezer is actually not cold enough, they only go down to zero or so. What's REALLY a hoot is getting out in a hot tub, then jumping in the -20F snow, then back in the hot tub. The snow instantly freezes to the crystal (and your bum) then it melts right off again. And... it's never cracked or caused a failure in a plexi crystal for me.
TeeJay Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 That's a really interesting effect I like how it looks, but as above, I think I would consider that time to replace the crystal when it gets to that condition
Guest avitt Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I've got a handful of old DW Tropic 21s that look just like that
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