Scratched Guage Cluster Fix???

[Jetboy]

Took my 4runner in for its first oil change and they scratched up the gauge cluster. Why do I ever let a dealer touch my car? It always ends up being more work to fix what they do wrong than to just change the oil myself. They obviously used the dirty towel to wipe off the dash and gauge cluster. I need a sign to hang on the steering wheel "DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!!! DON'T CLEAN ANYTHING. DON'T RESET ANYTHING. DON'T CHECK ANYTHING ELSE. I'LL DO IT MYSELF. DRAIN THE OIL - REPLACE THE FILTER - PUT NEW OIL IT. NOTHING ELSE."

This was Mark Miller Toyota in Salt Lake City, UT BTW.

It was obvious the instant I sat in the car. It's scratched, not dirt. They denied that they ever wipe the dash off, but offered to have a car detailer come try to polish it when he's at their shop next. Am I a fool to let them touch it again? Last time I let Lexus fix my car it ended up going VERY poorly - due to very low quality work.

Any great ideas on how to fix it? Anyone have luck with a polishing compound?

 

[SilverRiver]

I don't have an an answer for you but I have been thinking of trying something on mine which is also scratched. Here is what I would try:

1) With tape mark off visible portions of the instrument cluster
2) Task dash apart to access instrument assembly and remove the lens
3) Lightly scratch the lens where it will be covered by trim
4) Try to buff it out with automotive polishing compound or headlight polishing compound

If that doesn't work then maybe the lens portion isn't too expensive to replace (not the whole cluster, just the lens).

 

[1engineer]

Headlight polishing kit and finish it off with a dremel and small buffing wheel attachment.

 

[carlomagne]

damn makes me not want to go in for my 5000 mile service.

 

[Antman]

Just have them order a new clear plastic gauge cover- I think it'll cost them like $30.

 

[Jetboy]

Just have them order a new clear plastic gauge cover- I think it'll cost them like $30.

For $30 - I'd just order one myself and swap it out. I was thinking it was the whole sealed unit cluster like Lexus uses for $1,502 <-- that plus tax is what Lexus actually wants for one. no kidding. I had one replaced under warranty because one LED went out on the tach. needle.

I found an OEM one for $20. If polish doesn't work, I'll just swap it out myself. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

Meguiar's Scratch X works well on plastic lenses, I've used it to restore my old '87's dash cluster cover! It looks brand new now and has no visible scratches at all.

I did this with a 3" foam buffing pad and a good amount of Scratch X, thickly-spread with my hand over the lens then run over with the buffing pad in slow, even passes in several directions.

It helps if you're able to snap the original lexan panel out of the cluster first, as you do not want the white crap all over the dash and in between the crevices and reset hole for the odometer!

I have to do my '11 4R's gauges soon, the previous owner obviously threw his/her keys and other shit in the pockets where the speedo and tach are. I'm planning to throw some clear bra material over the lenses once I get them cleaned up, that will keep them from ever getting scratched again!

 

[Scoobs]

Don't let them touch it again. Fix it yourself, extremely easy to do. No need to replace the cluster lens, and its going to get scratched gain at some point so you might as well learn how to fix it yourself.

Megs 205 also works well

Megs PlastX may be too abrasive

I polish mine up every spring using the very best product I have found so far for this purpose Quixx Acrylic Scratch Remover.

Amazon.com: Quixx Acrylic Scratch Remover: Automotive

 

[Engineer]

As mentioned , just get a replacement cover and do it yourself. Someone on here someone asked for photos so I took mine apart and its truly a 10-15min job start to finish. I would try to get the dealer to order the part for you (easy enough to ask anyways).

 

[BlackWorksInc]

For $30 - I'd just order one myself and swap it out. I was thinking it was the whole sealed unit cluster like Lexus uses for $1,502 <-- that plus tax is what Lexus actually wants for one. no kidding. I had one replaced under warranty because one LED went out on the tach. needle.

I found an OEM one for $20. If polish doesn't work, I'll just swap it out myself. Thanks for the suggestion.

We usually sell the lenses separate and they are relatively cheap and easy to install. I did one for my stepdad's LX470 and I have one for my 4th gen sitting in my toolbox for when my dashboard comes in (previous owner got some light scratches and stuff on it.)