Instrument Panel Stain

Ok, so ever since I got my truck second hand it has had this stain in my instrument panel plastic. I have tried a few different cleaners with no luck.

The surface doesn't feel any different to the touch and it doesn't seem to scratch off either.

Is this something I am stuck with, able to clean off, or do I have to replace the whole cluster. ?

 

that looks like it could be on the inside of the plastic, and in a bad spot! not saying you did this, but I never spray anything when I clean the instrument panel - always spray onto a microfiber cloth then wipe gently. I bought a 2006 Avalon from a Toyota dealer a few years ago and one of the instrument panels was really messed up. I had them put a new one in before I bought it, they had it done the next day. Looked brand new...

 

Maybe try some Plast-X and see if it'll buff out.

 

Could be on the inside, but then you'd have to disassemble it to get the clear plastic off.

Whatever you do - be gingerly. This is an area where you can easily overcorrect and end up with a bigger mess than you have now.

 

^^^ This is good advice.

I think it's on the inside and you wouldn't want to damage the outside by getting too aggressive. Good luck!

 

It looks like some kind of chemical etching to me.

 

The plastic is removable, but you have to pull the cluster out to get at the 8 clips around the perimeter.

 

if all of the above states that this is removable, you could try remove it and use all kinds of different methods to clean it. i know either buffing with a buffer like auto body repair shops use works good on headlights.

 

The reason I think it's inside is because I've seen how damp detail shops can leave the interior of a car. And if it isn't dried out you'll see the humidity condensate in all kinds of weird places including behind the instrument cluster.

 

This for me, too.

 

Just peachy.
Yeah being in the inside would explain why it won't make a difference. Maybe it would be best to pick up an old cluster and just swap out the plastic.

 

Same amount of work to do that than clean it.

 

Sort of looks like some chemical ate it. Happened to my car after I took it somewhere to get detailed. Their interior spray did not agree with the clear plastic and it etched dots all over the place. Might be lucky and it could just be on the inside.

 

I don't have the part number, but I believe the clear plastic is available from Toyota.

 

And with my luck it wither wont work or it could make it worse.
On the other hand I learned if I just have the part around, it leads to less frustration and I can always just swap it out.

 

Ive seen it floating around the interwebs. I plan on replacing mine at some point

 

I think this is it.
Gonna surf around to make sure it's the best price though.

http://parts.irwinzonetoyota.com/p/...ml?partner=googlebase_adwords&kwd=&origin=pla

 

I'm finding that a lot of times, even though your local dealer has a higher price per item, it ends up cheaper because you don't have to pay shipping. Most of the time my dealer can get my parts overnight.