Cloudy Instrument cluster plastic lens.

I was cleaning something up in the truck the other day, this is a new truck mind you - about 4,000 miles on the Odo. And I had a rag with a little alcohol on it. Just rubbing alcohol on a clean new microfiber.

Figured why le the alcohol go to waste and wiped off my instrument cluster. Looked clean and nice!

Then the next day I got in and it was all cloudy an swirly with the wipe marks I left. Not scratches. How do you clean the plastic lens?

 

Most people avoid cleaning the 3rd gen instrument cluster all together for that very reason. Lightly dust it and move on. Quite a few threads about this.

 

Right-O! That's what I SHOULD have done and didn't. Now I'm here and a light dusting isn't getting it done.

 

You will most likely need to replace the lens. These things scratch so easily. The thread below talks about replacing the lens.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ched-up-instrument-cluster-plexiglass.503376/

 

What a bummer! Sorry to hear this happened.

If you're already set to replace it anyway, you could throw a hail mary and try polishing it. Most plastics like this can be polished as long as they don't have special coatings or something on them. And even then, you could potentially polish off that coating entirely and just be left with standard, clear plastic.

There are polishes made specifically for plastics but I've also had pretty good luck with standard automotive paint polishes too. Polishing generally works great for fine scratches but since you did damage chemically YMMV.

And next time, although rubbing alcohol seems pretty harmless I'd recommend keeping it away from your vehicle unless you've tried other, safer, products first. These days, there are so many different materials and coatings used in automobiles that it can be real easy to do damage even with normal household cleaners. Best to stick to only products designed for automotive use - and even then, be careful, read the label and test in an inconspicuous place if needed.

 

Alcohol destroys plexi, acrylic, and clear plastic in general fyi

micro fractures, clouding, and worse

 

You might have melted the plastic with the alcohol.
Try something like this before replacing the lens. My 2007 lens still looks new using this polish and a microfiber towel... never use paper towel and the less you touch the lens the better (i think it gets scratched just looking at it lol.)

 

I've had good luck with Meguiars Plastix in the past fixing cluster screens, but ScreenProTech makes protector film that hides the damage and protects additional scratches from developing. I don't think you're allowed to link their stuff here, but it's easy to find on Google and very easy to apply.

 

Tried some Novus - Clean, Shine, and Protect Plastic Restore that was recommended on a different thread. It worked GREAT on the still clean and pristine center touch screen. It did NOT work on the instrument glass. Going to cut to the chase and get a scratch cover and see if that gets it done.

 

Found this thread before posting a new one, but my new to me Tacoma has cloudy gauge clusters from improper cleaning. I'm going to give Meguiars PlastX a shot tomorrow, and will post a follow-up for those interested. I'm not unfamiliar with detailing procedure, but never had to deal with instrument/gauge clusters on my previous vehicles. I'm hoping there is hope, as when I hit the cluster with a spray of water (no soap, but similar to clear coat testing) the cloudiness disappears and only forms again when dry. @GTGallop any luck?

 

I've used Plastix on other cars clusters in the past and liked it. Never seen a cluster as easily scratchable as the one in the Taco's though. I'm a little weary the Plastix could actually do more harm than good on this specific cluster, whereas the film is supposed to hide it somehow.

 

Odd update...
The swirly pattern left by the alcohol has somewhat faded. If I look for it, it's still there but not as pronounced. Not sure why or how.

 

WEIRD. Glad it kinda resolved itself.

I'll try it in a small spot on the Tach before trying the Speedo. Mine are on a 2nd Gen cluster, but I doubt the plastics are much different. Plan on using a Lens Cloth for application, if it works, cool. If not I'll try the Screen Protect thing, my only concern is that they're not true "micro scratches" like the 3rd Gen usually get.

 

Oh I didn't notice the 2g part. Normally when I apply it I use a microfiber. I don't know anything about the 2g clusters, but they can't be more sensitive than the 3g's lol.

 

Update:
Finally got around to it. I used lens wipes (basically eyeglasses or photolens super fine microfiber wipes) as the applicator, and applied almost ZERO pressure and just let the PlastX do the work. It didn't get it to absolutely perfect, but man it cleared up the cloudy/haze. I was a dumb and didn't take full Before pictures, but here's a mid and after shot.

Center speedo was honestly worse than the tach and fuel/temp but I was too excited and didn't take a pic of it before. You can see there's still a small dot on the speedo by the 40/60/80 KPH that I ALMOST got out completely by the end. Picture the whole speedo like that dot down to the Trip. It was gnarly.

Not perfect, but I can deal with that for a soon to be 12 year old truck. I think it got them down to the level of microscratching and hazing that those overlays mentioned above would work, if I ever go down that route.

 

Odd update to my odd update.
Apparently I didn't notice it anymore because my truck was dirty AF. When I cleaned it, guess what magically reappeared?
Yeah... The Friggin Swirles!

 

Well, that stinks to hear @GTGallop. I bit the bullet and bought a single set of ScreenProTech cause I don't want to deal with having this happen again. I'll keep the thread updated, more interested to see how it handles the fine microscratches on the Tach.

 

Will try the Meguiars Plastic and see if it works! I'll post before and after pics when i do it.

 

This is exactly what we use on plexi aircraft windows. It's kinda the standard in aviation circles. Good stuff.