Remove and replace your scratched up instrument cluster plexiglass

I need to do this, mine looks terrible

 

Thanks for this thread! Just cleaned the interior of my new truck for the FIRST TIME, and I scratched this panel! I was using a paper towel and windex and it instantly created micro-scratches on this plastic. I know now to forever use cloth hand towels on my interior from here on out, but the damage is done. Can't undo that. I was worried I was going to have to buy whole new instrument panel if I wanted to fix it. Now I know how to fix it myself.
It baffles me why they would use this cheap plexiglass that scratches so easily on an instrument panel that you look at constantly. I would gladly pay $50-$100 more for my $40,000 truck to have this piece be made of glass, or more high-quality plastic.

 

I just used this and now I have a haze to the plastic where I used it? I tried cleaning it off as well no luck..what have I done?

 

I’ve had mine replaced at the dealership at no cost but the replacement was equally but not as bad. It come straight out of the box with hairline scratches and over time gets even worse. I give up and accept the fact the plastic gauge cluster looks bad.

 

?? dunno ... the Meguiars worked to remove the hazing on mine. A couple of deep scratches are still there. I used a new cotton rag (think t-shirt material) and it came out better than before.

 

Lol. Yeah it's only an issue for me when the sunlight hits it just right. I've decided to ignore it too.

 

Not to mention when the dealership replaced the gauge cluster they scraped and scratched the plastic dashboard making it look like a theft recovered vehicle. They didn’t mask or tape off any parts. Oh btw, they will be replacing the dashboard as well.

 

Any updates? Thinking of ordering this myself.

 

I wondered about this myself. I scratch mine first week I bought the truck

 

tagged

 

Meguiars PlastX is a diminishing abrasive plastic polish that works very well.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/toyota-tacoma-instrument-screen-protector.561464/

FYI for after replacing the screen. Ijust ordered one as well as the screen

 

I've heard there is an anti glare coating which is what makes it so prone to scratches. Has anyone who has polished theirs noticed an increase in glare?

I feel like the curve of the piece is what reduces glare more than a coating, but just want to remove any doubt for my own piece of mind before I polish.

 

I scratched mine the first time I cleaned the interior. Looks terrible when the light hits it just right.

 

Thanks for the post! I just got my first Tacoma, went with the TRD Pro. Brand new and after having for a few months (not even 5000 miles) I noticed the plastic screen was cracked in two places. I mentioned it to the dealer at my first 5000 maintenance visit hoping they would do me a courtesy and replace for free. They came back and said since I had installed ditch lights with a built in switch (bottom left, near the cluster where your knee is) that they would not be able to do anything. They wanted $300+ to replace it (~$50 part, ~$250+ labor). The ditch lights were my first DIY mod so I could see me being a little naive but I had no trouble with the install and didn’t come close to the dash. Everything was very plug and play where the other buttons were down there. Nonetheless I had no way to argue so I said to just leave it alone. Good to know how to replace this though now! Thank you!

 

Go find another dealer and see if they will replace it. They get paid for warranty work.

 

Plexus will do a similar thing for fine scratches.

BTW over the weekend, I left a bunch of dust into the cab:



After I got home last night, I did the Swiffer Duster trick following up with a random, clean microfiber towel and 70% isopropyl alcohol. Not a single scratch.

 

Lifesaver. Made the mistake of using a microfiber cloth on mine as well. 2 month old Tacoma with a horrible looking cluster panel is no good .Thanks!

 

NO! automotive tint is pressure sensitive, meaning the glue starts to adhere as soon as you squeegee it. and when you remove the tint for any reason, it will leave the glue behind. I have tinted many radio faces for our customers, and I ALWAYS try to talk them out of it. but they want it so they can dim the lighting coming from it. also, window tint will only work for a short period of time on plexiglass or plastic. it isn't even recommended to use on anything other than smooth glass.

 

holy cow this is actually a thing?!?!? Any updates on test gauge BLazingBlue? I think I have wiped mine lightly since buying a few weeks ago... will have to be very careful now. Just looked at my corolla's and its flawless.