Gauge Cluster Cleaner

so I got the car and used my normalcy stuff to clean gauge cluster, scratched it up a good bit, paid 35 for a new one because the scratch was bothering me being right over the digital speedo. Used blue shop towel and windex, new is on but to avoid deep scratches what do you use? Pic of it for reference.

 

I use lemon Pledge and a micro fiber towel. There is some good stuff called Plexus you can buy on Amazon that is designed for aviation windshields (which are plastic) and can't be scratched (I used to have a small plane and used that). Lemon Pledge was a common product also used on small plane windshields and I happen to have it laying around the house.

 

Thank you, Dang thing scratches pretty easy. I’ll try that instead

 

Could have given you a pretty good looking one.

 

The only way to clean these without scratching them is to stand OUTSIDE the vehicle and use an inspection mirror to view the cluster. DO NOT MAKE DIRECT EYE CONTACT WITH THE CLUSTER. Direct eye contact is abrasive to this material. Once you have assessed the level of contamination, you can begin. Seal the vehicle from the outside and pull a vacuum to 500 microns to boil off any humidity inside the vehicle. Then use compressed nitrogen to blow off the moisture free and now loose contaminants. Use a brand new hermetically sealed SST chinchilla fur gauntlet to GENTLY suggest to any remaining particles to vacate the premises. You’re welcome.

 

Here's what I do...
Blow off excess dust with my Milwaukee mini leaf blower.
Dampen a plush microfiber towel with Meguiars interior cleaner.
Gently wipe off dust in one direction, never wiping with the same part of towel.

One member posted using masking tape to remove the dust. I don't know about all that...my way works for me.

 

I use sandpaper. 100 grit.

 

Baby diaper and a little Turtle wax hybrid soluion. I will look crystal clear as I have a new one in the box and yet to put it in because of the results I got.

 

If you get a Screen Pro Tech, it will hide most/all of the scratches, and be easier to clean without scratching. It would be really easy to install if you remove the screen (like your photo). The sheet has the same hole as your screen, so center the holes, and make the rest an equal gap around the outer edge, it will be hidden when you install it back in the dash. They make one for your radio screen too, and if you have serious doubts, you can purchase a second sheet at a greatly reduced cost. If you have it out of the dash, it only takes a little patience and focus…

 

This. Those cluster lenses always scratch easily. Put these on mine weeks ago after marking it up accidentally.

https://www.tacomalifestyle.com/products/toyota-tacoma-screen-protech-kit

 

Dudes, just clean wit a slightly damp clean microfiber rag. No paper towel. No Terry cloth. No scratches or issues.

 

I bought my truck with 25k miles and plenty of gauge cluster scratches then promptly wiped it down and made things worse.
I found this suggestion in the sticky about replacing the instrument cluster plexi and some people claimed in addition to offering future protection it also hid older scratches. Mine just came in today, but I’m not sure I’ll have the energy to install it before I leave for vacation. I ordered the back up set of screen protectors option, so worst case I replace the cluster cover and install the second protector on that.
I’ll post back once I’m able to try it out.

 

Little piece of advice... pull the trim off around the cluster and radio. Makes things easier, and it is not difficult.

 

Get the screen protec people. My was starting to get scratched. Installed the protec and it completely hid the scratches. Now I can clean however I want and not worry. Dry, wet paper towel etc. be done with it.

 

Microfiber can be real dangerous. They stick to things, like my hands, and things stick to it. I’ve got some swirlies on the dash from a microfiber that l tossed on the vise and stupidly wiped down my dash later. You can’t see the metal in that towel but it was in there. It’s I. The trash now.

 

Did you know on the 2022 Tacoma you cannot replace the plexiglass without changing out the speedo and tach cluster? My dealer told me they are a sealed unit now. Unfortunately mine came new with a smeared residue on the inside. They are waiting on a complete gauge cluster from the factory. Ugh…..

 

true the Screen Protech is for real. it will even heal up the small scratches you may already have and make it like new if the scratches are light.

 

Another vote for screenprotech. I also put one one the stereo head unit.