Speedometer cluster cover

[leftyrb]

While detailing my vehicle this past weekend, I used a camera lens cleaner designed for both plastic and glass and ended up scratching part of the plastic cover for the speedomter and gauge cluster.

The new plastic piece is only $35 Cdn, and I think that many of the trim pieces will pull-off, but not sure. Has anyone performed such a procedure, and if so, what are the processes at removing the trim.

Thanks

 

[toybox]

I'm sure someone else will chime in but I believe the cluster just pulls out and is attached by clips.

Just curious, how did you scratch it with the lens cleaner?

I've heard of this happening before and planned on being very gentle with a microfiber towel but now that you scratched it I don't know what is safe.

 

[leftyrb]

Just curious, how did you scratch it with the lens cleaner?

I normally use 303 Protectant due to its anti-static properties, but dust etc. had settled in the corners of the 3 pods, so thought I would use something with cleaning properties. I had previously bought some lens cleaner and a silk polishing cloth from a high end photography shop, designed for both polishing camera lens, as well as safe for plastic. I tried to remove the marks by using Meguires Plastic cleaner/polish, without success. The plastic panels are very soft, and easily marked. I had to replace the panel cover assembly twice on my Nissan, in the course of less than 3 years. I would really like to find a safe cleaning product

 

[rensho]

HUH, i'm not the only one. I tried lightly cleaning with microfiber towels and scratched them as well. I couldn't believe my eyes. Now i'm afraid to touch them, and it has been 5 mos.
I guess use canned air, but that is rediculous.

 

[DR.2B]

use toothpaste

Try using a little bit of toothpaste and apply it in a circular motion, then buff out the scratches. This works on clear plastic sometimes. Just be sure not to use anything extremely gritty such as toothpastes containing baking soda.

 

[toyo]

Mine did the same thing. It burns me up to look at those scratches. My biggest complaint on this truck is that the interior pieces are so fragile. The silver trim scratches just looking at it. Back to your ??, yes it just pulls out.

 

[yabedude]

My speedo is scratched too. Have no recollection of how, but one day it had a scratch.

I was not going to replace it with another one that's so fragile and was going to look for an after market one instead.

 

[jtb71]

Microfiber, cloth, tissues, everything scratches the hell out of those covers. My damn seat is starting to rattle now too. 5K and this ride is not holding up to well! What gives?

 

[T4R04LTD]

Yeah, mine is the same thing. Its all scratched, I don't know how it got all scratched up, but it annoys me while driving and looking at my speedometer. Does anyone know the part # on partznet.com. I would like to replace the existing one.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[04bkrunner]

so i'm not the only one....mine was srcratched the day i drove it home from the dealership, it had 3 miles on it. i think the problem isn't the scratching, it's the angle of the plastic. you notice the scratches more with the way light reflects. on most other vehicle instrument lenses, the lens is angled such that top part is closer to the driver and bottom is further, thus less light refraction. on the 03-04's toyota did the opposite - made the lens angle the wrong way. look at your other vehicles and you'll notice what i am talking about.

that and the dang HVAC lights are so faint in the middle of the day...i would suspect toyota to fix soon...

very minimal complaints in respect though, nothin like giving a mustang gt a good run for its money in a lifted suv w/32's

:hat: