Any alternatives to soft plastic gauge cluster lens?

[luke87gt]

Hi guys,

Our cars come with a very soft plastic gauge cluster lens. It scratches very easily and on every 4th gen 4runner I've seen it looks like it's been fished out of the Titanic :suspicious:

Does anyone know any alternatives (glass? harder plastic? etc)

I'd like to order a new lens but thought I've check first before I place an order for OEM that will look like crap again after 6 months.

Thanks,

Luke

 

[brianhuntRVA]

Maybe spray them with some sort of clear coat before you install them?

 

[MONTYMTB]

Hi guys,

Our cars come with a very soft plastic gauge cluster lens. It scratches very easily and on every 4th gen 4runner I've seen it looks like it's been fished out of the Titanic :suspicious:

Does anyone know any alternatives (glass? harder plastic? etc)

I'd like to order a new lens but thought I've check first before I place an order for OEM that will look like crap again after 6 months.

Thanks,

Luke

There was a similar thread a while back, and someone chimed in saying that they had good luck with a product - can't remember what it's called, could probably find it with a search - that you can buff it out with to remove the scratches. Might try that before going through the trouble and expense of replacing it.

 

[NinjaOne]

There was a similar thread a while back, and someone chimed in saying that they had good luck with a product - can't remember what it's called, could probably find it with a search - that you can buff it out with to remove the scratches. Might try that before going through the trouble and expense of replacing it.

Something like a CD cleaning kit or headlight cleaning kit might work? If you are already planning on swapping out the cluster, couldn't hurt to try it on one of them.

Following using something like that to fill in the scratches and buffing it out you could seal it with something like this to extend the 'fix'

 

[TechWrench]

The biggest issue with these gauge lens covers is how you clean them. Just using a bare cloth or paper towel to wipe them off is a sure way to scratch them. I always use a cleaning solution, like the stuff for cleaning LED screens, on the plastic lens before I gently wipe them with a Micro-fiber cloth. It cuts way down on the amount of damage to the lens.

 

[4by4th]

What is it that you're trying to clean off that's scratching it? If it's just dust use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment. Been doing that for many years without scratching.

 

[fullboogie]

If you have a bench grinder, buy a polishing wheel for it and some plastic rouge. Run that lens across it for a few minutes and it will look like the day it was made.

 

[Sporin]

What is it that you're trying to clean off that's scratching it? If it's just dust use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment. Been doing that for many years without scratching.

That's impressive! I've looked at a ton of 4th gen Runners and they are all scratched to some degree.

I bought both mine used so the damage was already done, I'm sure that's common.

I try to use the softest cloth I can and just hope for the best.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Buy a new lens for like $30, then buy a laptop screen protector, cut to fit?

 

[riceandpho]

village toyota parts
83138
cluster lens.

 

[luke87gt]

village toyota parts
83138
cluster lens.

Is there anyone out there that does free (or reasonable) shipping on this part?

I've looked at like 10 Toyota parts distributors and I can't seem to get this thing to my door for under $45.

 

[riceandpho]

if the total is over that much with shipping, i would just go to the dealership.