Remove and replace your scratched up instrument cluster plexiglass

No problem. I used a soft microfiber cloth. Maybe keep a couple handy. I considered using a fine finishing pad like I’d use for waxing bit it wasn’t necessary. My strong recommendation is to first pull the trim piece around the cluster. This will give you full access to wipe down and you’ll be able to avoid any polish material being left behind around the edges. You’ll need to remove the one around the radio before you can pull the one that surrounds the cluster. Both just pull out with a little bit of force. These are easy and safe trim pieces to remove and the payoff in this case is worth it in my experience. The only slightly tricky part is manipulating around the turn signal but it’s simple really. I’m sure there are videos available. Good luck!

Edit - It may not be perfect when you’re done but I saw a huge improvement. This is one of those cases where I didn’t push my luck and settled with a pretty good result.

 

Wish I would have seen this thread sooner to see how easily scratched the cluster is. I was cleaning my glasses with one of those alcohol wipes and I saw some water spots on the dash and well... scratched it up.

 

Well, you can improve things. Check out my post above about using the plastic polish. May not be perfect but it’ll likely be much improved.

 

Thanks for the info! I will try it out. Mines bad in the bottom corners. Saw dust and use my glasses wipe…. Then realized oh hell what did I just do. Then I found this forum and didn’t feel so bad, as it has happened to many.

 

I did the exact same thing!

 

I took the advice above and used some plastic polish and a microfiber towel to apply it and it made things way better.

 

I now just use a Swiffer duster lightly and make sure to dust often enough that that’s all I need.

 

Anyone attempted Plexus? It's a plastic polish that's an aerosol. I've good luck with it on other plastics like motorcycle helmet visors and windscreens and soft top windows. I would try it on my truck, but the plexiglass is already pretty bad. Probably going to get a new piece.

 

Just making sure you all are aware, this product covers up or “heals” the micro scratches left by cleaning pretty darn well. Combined w/polish first, it will almost look new. Then after it’s applied, you can wipe the shit out of your cluster with anything afterwards and not worry about scratching. I haven’t seen it recommended in a while
Screen protech. TW won’t let me make a link for some reason

 

So I ordered a new gauge cluster and the Screenprotech stuff. Came out great on the head unit, auto trans stuff I didn't. I have used plenty of Paint Protection Films etc. But for $50.00 I didn't think it was anything to write home about. Left it out in the sun for 2 days, and most of the bubbles went away but not all. So I ripped it off and put Blackfire Ceramic Pro Black on it and wowwwwwwwwwww. I have an extra gauge cluster that I ceramic coated as well and might just sell it on the forum.

 

Didn’t want to read all the pages. I work in a body shop and had a lot of theft and vandalism lately. If you want a cheap fix and have a friend with tools or you have some it’s easy. I had a scratched lens on a vandalism car and part was back ordered. Long as the scratches aren’t really deep it’s a easy fix. Wet can’t the plexiglass with 2000 grit till it’s all nice and flat and no scratches can be seen. If you have a drill you can use a headlight polisher or any 3” pad is best with a step 1 cut and wool or foam pad. Also can ask a detail shop if your worried about polishing with a buffer. I used a step 2 swirl removed on foam and it looked new again. Next time I will take pics

 

Was about to order a new cluster film but decided to use an old bottle of 3m headlight restorer polish I’ve had luck with before.

The 4 year old bottle took out the majority of surface scratches, but there were imperfections on the inside of the plastic that I wouldn’t be able to fix unless I completely removed the cover.

4 simple steps, should take 15 minutes and 5 sore fingers:

1. Remove plastic trim.
2. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the surface, then rub a good amount of polish on the lens.
3. Use the clean side of the cloth to really buff out the polish - fast, circular motions.
4. Pop the plastic trim back on.

See before, during and after below:

 

Cheap way to fix rhe clear lens is same as scratch repair paint. Sand the lend with 800 or 1000 wet to start depending on how bad it is. Sand till scratches are gone. Then move up to next grit till 2000. 1000 to 1500 to 2000. Then use cut like 3m with a wool.or foam cut pad then swirl pad and compound. I used this on theft cars that get scratched lens at the body shop.

 

Huge help, mine is cracked..........thanks to the author for the detailed fix.

 

I installed the scteenprotech film on my 22 yesterday and am curious if anyone else has had their bubbles disappear? I have quite a few and I’m hoping I don’t have to peel the films back up! It hasn’t really been above 40 degrees where I live so I’m wondering if that is a factor

 

One of the best cheap mods I did. I didn't have as many bubbles tho. The few ones I did have did went away on their own. I purchased 2 sets thinking if I messed up the first attempt I had a back-up. Never needed it. Still very satisfied over a year later. Great product so far.

 

Oh yeah, I have made the mistake of rubbing dust off of my clusters on my third gen 4Runner and my last 3rd gen tacoma. I was so mad at myself!

 

It's okay, as I was just lucky I seen the post showing how easy it was to scratch the dam clusters when I first joined Tacoma World after purchasing my truck. I was like WTF??? Folks were replacing them??? They scratch easy??? I quickly read through the thread and ordered right away. Didn't touch my cluster on my brand new truck until the film arrived. Got lucky. Especially with my kids in the truck.

 

It makes me wonder............where else did Toyota skimp on materials to save a few dollars in design...
I definitely have to do this upgrade!!!