Remove and replace your scratched up instrument cluster plexiglass

Which 303 product and what type of microfiber cloth?

 

303 Aerospace Protectant. Not sure what the name of these cloths are. Get the yellow one pretty wet, but not soaked, in 303 and worked into the entertainment screen. Let dry for 5 minutes. Used the white polishing cloth to buff it to remove the shiny film 303 leaves. Those white cloths are amazing. Use them for waxing, LCD TV and computer monitor screens etc. Never scratch. Freaking baby soft. Buy those white cloths locally at an auto parts store. They are awesome for the final buffing after applying car waxing. They also work pretty well to remove the wax a couple minutes after it dries on car surface. I wash and reuse all these, they hold up well.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07YTKXHKG?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image

 

I was always wondering about this. My instrument cluster plexiglass is trashed.

 

I tried cleaning mine today using windex. It was dirty and kinda looked like someone blew 3 packs a day worth of smoke onto them. It’s cleaner but obviously severely scratched.

Years ago, I had some eagle one plastic polish. It did miracles on my motorcycle wind screen and helmet face shield. It must be discontinued because I haven’t seen it in years. It claimed to have fillers to fill in the minor scratches. What was hazy turned to look brand new.

I thought of trying PlastX. I wonder if anyone else tried it with good results.

 

did not work for me, 9 bucks down the drain and I think even left more scratches . I would not even waste time .

 

Was thinking of trying this? Anybody used before or something that did work without having to replace cluster ?

thanks

 

Subbed. My 2017 is looking pretty worn. Thanks bud!

 

It looks good at straight view but when the sunlight hits it from the side, you can still the all the hairline scratches on the plastic. It’s the grade of plastic that Toyota uses on Tacoma, it’s terrible. I bought a replacement and straight out of the box you can tell it’s not perfect.

 

My cluster was replaced at 5k due to tripmeter failure. That plastic was heavily scratched. Now, at nearly 25k, it looks like a family of dandruff emitting people have brushed their hair on it. No scratches though. I wish there was a safe cleaning method. I swore off any normal products after attempts on the original cluster. Compressed air only removes the loose stuff. The rest sticks to the screen like duct tape.

 

Thanks for info on this thread. Just changed mine out. Cracked for no reason last summer. After I took it apart look what I found. I think this must have been smashed in during the trucks assembly. The upper bezel never looked right since the day I bought it. Makes sense.

 

That thing had a rough paper route

 

Didn't read every page of this thread, hope I'm not repeating a suggestion, but I've removed scratches from more sheets of plexi and acrylic than I care to count over 40 years in display/museum work, and Novus #2 Scratch remover will get most of the scratches I've encountered.

Rarely did I have to start with more aggressive Novus #3 but it's available. You can buy the Novus #1 for a final buff out but any plexi/acrylic cleaner will work for the final clean-up, or even Windex ammonia-free. (I'm curious about the earlier posts about 303 Protectant, I use the stuff on my truck as a protective coating and love it, but I'm guessing that hides scratches rather than actually buffing them out.)

If I do have to get out the Novus #2 to buff out scratches on my own bezel, I will squirt the solution, which is like thin tooth paste, onto a micro cloth and work the towel in tight circular patterns until the scratches disappear, or mostly so to the point you don't notice them anymore. DISCLAIMER: I have not used the Novus #2 yet on my own Tacoma, it's too new. When I clean that bezel I use acrylic or lens cleaner with a fresh micro fiber cloth.

NOTE: Reading through this feed, it sounds to me like the dash bezel plastic is a lower grade, which sounds discouraging. Some acrylic is purer, seems harder, and I believe holds up against scratches better...

 

I wish it was glass. Replaced it 3 years ago and have not cleaned it since. Dingy yes. Scratched no. Air only removes the top loose particles. Disregarding safety to electronics I think the only way to get a scratch-free cleaning is with a 2500 psi pressure washer. Maybe.

 

Any recommendations on a "good" microfiber cloth?
I bought a pack from autozone that basically suck, even for washing & waxing.

 

I used some Griott's Plastic Cleaner/Polish and it seems like the microscratches are just not budging. I do think I reduced some of the bigger scratches.

I'm going to complain the next time I bring it in for service and see what's what. It's kinda wild how shitty this plastic is, yet it collects so much dust that you just have to clean it or wipe on a somewhat regular basis.

 

Well I just went out and did mine with the Meguire's PlasticX and it worked great. Thought I would polish my Entune screen while I was at it and it left a whitish looking stain in a few places. Not bad but noticeable. Go figure. And tried to remove it with isppropyl alcohol and glass cleaner but still there. Crazy.

 

https://premierprotection.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

They make custom fit protector covers for the instrument cluster that also restores. Installed one over my used/scratched instrument cluster and it now looks brand new. For sure won't have to get a replacement ever again. They also make screen protectors for the head unit and little plastic plexiglass cover by the shift knob. Highly recommend

 

At this point the scratches don't even bother me, it's the layer of dust on the inside of the panel. Before I replace the panel, need to figure out how to block dust from getting into that hole for the odometer stick..

 

I called but number didn’t work. I sent an email/request for quote. Do you have a direct link?