Cleaning the guages?

[Chris1515]

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what type of cloth I should use to clean the clear plastic lens over the guages on my '05 that will avoid scratches?

When I bought it, the lens over the spedometer had a scratch in it, and the dealer replaced it. But before replacing it they tried to buff it out, and I saw just how soft that plastic is.

Thanks.

 

[Solice]

I've been using a microfiber towel and it seems to be working alright. I'm pretty sure this has been discussed before so try searching for it.

~EDIT~ Here is a thread that may help you a little more ::

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4567&highlight=gauges

 

[khaug]

My method (warning - for anal folks only!):

Take a cotton ball, thoroughly wet it with Windex or similar glass cleaner. Use this to gently wash the lenses. Then, take dry cotton balls and blot (or wipe as gently as possible) the glass cleaner off the lenses. Be sure to use genuine cotton balls and not the cheap synthetics that are showing up on the market these days.

Never, ever, try to clean the plastic instrument lenses with ANY sort of a dry cloth, no matter how soft. The trapped dust will act as an abrasive and you'll have scratches!

Fussy? You betcha. Works, though, and leaves ZERO scratches!

IMHO, Toyota oughta be horsewhipped for putting such scratch-prone lenses in their vehicles.

 

[jwyshrek]

If you already have scratches...then I may have some bad news...

I talk to some guys here locally that specialize in plastic products. (TAP Plastics)

They said that the plastic lens on the cluster is most likely Lexan...it is their opinion that there is nothing currently on the market (available to us) that will restore the lens back to 'like new' condition. In fact, they said the most of the plastic polishes may make things worse...as it seem to do in my case...used the Novus 1,2,3 products and Mequiar's Plastic polish.

Basically, they said that it was impossible to remove all the scratches (especially fine scratches) from Lexan...just nature of the beast.

They suggest replacement.

I did talked to the service manager at the local toyota dealership...they said they would replace it under warrantly...just hope they don't do other damage replacing it.

Almost want to do it myself...

 

[jwyshrek]

oh yeah...I don't believe this problem is unique to 4runners or Toyota...I have a '99 olds Alero...same problem.

Wish there was an aftermarket one made of glass or acrylic...

 

[fastlif306]

I use honda polish in a spray can with a soft cloth. good enuf for me, but I usually hit dirt roads all the time so as soon as its clean, its dirty again.

 

[<<<<]

Touchless, I use compressed air.

 

[toybox]

Touchless, I use compressed air.

That is great to blow the dust off but on mine it is not just dust. Whe allergies are bothering me I occasionally sneeze in the truck and get some spots on them which makes cleaning by wiping a neccessity. That said, I usually blow the dust off with compressed air then wipe with a damp microfiber rag and the wipe with a dry microfiber rag. I don't clean the gauges very often though just as a precaution.