[Boatanchors] HQ-180 dial window discoloration

[Gary Peterson]

I have an HQ-180 in quite good condition.  The, originally clear, dial windows have turned a dark amber.  

If the calibration set control is rotated, it is easy to see a clear line of demarcation between the amber and clear celluloid or plastic.  The discoloration is in the exact shape of the trapezoidal cutout for the dial windows.

I have tried a cotton swab, moistened with Windex and another moistened with isopropyl alcohol, to remove the discoloration.  Neither swab picked up any amber color.

This leads me to believe that the discoloration is due to exposure to ultraviolet light.  The receiver may have been in a location where it was exposed to direct sunlight for a considerable amount of time.  If my assumption is correct, there is nothing that can be done to restore the clarity of the window material.  The use of any abrasive material would assume the damage was restricted to surface level and would result in the removal of the black index line.

I do have another HQ-180 with some cabinet damage.  However, its dial windows are still clear or colorless.

Does anyone on the list have experience with removal of the front panel on an HQ-180?  I’m hoping that any attempt to swap dial windows between the two receivers will not turn into the proverbial can of worms.  Sometimes, doing something like this just isn’t worth the time taken.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Gary, KzeroCX