Cheap Plastic on Speedometer Head

gonzo

gonzo

New member
I have owned my 2004 runner for a couple of months now and have probably cleaned the inside 3 or 4 times. One thing that really bothers me is that every time I clean the plastic that covers the speedometer & tachometer I notice that the plastic gets little swirl scratches in it. I don't use an abrasive, and make sure to use a soft cloth. The scratches are so prevalent that, if the sun is shining on the speedo, I cannot see it. Anyone else have that problem? I owned a '93 runner for years and the speedometer head plastic looked great!

Any suggestions?
 
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After reading those threads, I think I'm just going to let mine collect dust. I don't want to blinded by the glare off all of those scrathces.
 
You *might* want to try a plastic polish - the stuff made for boat windows. Get it at marine supply stores.

I'm glad I know about this. I will use nothing but compressed air to clean my gauges.
 
Don't those dials have an "anti-reflective" coating on them?? If so, then that is what you're seeing. The coating makes swirls when you try to clean it. I had a similar experience on a wristwatch i had that had the anti-reflective coating on the outside.
 
I had a similar experience on a wristwatch i had that had the anti-reflective coating on the outside.
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But this is not an inherent property of a plastic with an anti-reflective coating. My eyeglasses have plastic lenses with an anti-reflective coating - and also a hard coating. I can clean the dust off with most any old piece of cloth without getting scratches.
 
I've seen this problem with almost every car made to day. It's just the nature of the thin clear acrylic plastic used over speedometers.

The best way to avoid scratches is to use a 100% brand new clean microfiber cloth (with no tag or the tag removed) and gently clean using Plexus.

You can also use Plexus to remove or at least reduce these scratches if they have already developed.

http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/bgi-20214.html
 
Replace that cover. Do not wipe new one off with anything or it'll scratch too. I use computer air duster, it blows all dust out of there and no scratches.
 
I use tissues, bunch several together and use as a duster, works real good and does not scratch, I also use my Cali Car duster the small dash 1
 
I just oredered a new one yesterday. It is $18.00 bucks. I scratched mine pretty good when I first got mine. Now I use my air compressor and blow the dirt off at 150 psi!
 
I use a very wet microfiber towel to clean and then very gently wipe dry with a dry microfiber towel. I've done this several times so far and no scratches.
 
how do you replace the cover? isn't it attached to the speedo? how easy is it to take the dash appart? last time i took apart a dash was in my 1990 acura, swore i would never do it again.
 
I hope that new link works. There are good pics from Service Manual on how to remove dash cover. If link is corrupted, remove the lower cover below the stering wheel by taking 2 screws out first. Than pull plastic cover towards you (there are 7 clips, they just pop out). Next remove glass: take 2 screws out on the top, then use flat head screwdriver to disengage 6 clips around the cover. Install is reverse. Trust me it's easy, took me 10 min. Good luck.
 
word

<<<< said:
I hope that new link works. There are good pics from Service Manual on how to remove dash cover. If link is corrupted, remove the lower cover below the stering wheel by taking 2 screws out first. Than pull plastic cover towards you (there are 7 clips, they just pop out). Next remove glass: take 2 screws out on the top, then use flat head screwdriver to disengage 6 clips around the cover. Install is reverse. Trust me it's easy, took me 10 min. Good luck.
Click to expand...


Brother, No Joy on the link. I'm also having this issue, and hope your info on the link will educate me enough to tackle this issue.

Dave
 
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