Cleaning Instrument Cluster window

[metroplex]

How do I clean these things w/o scratching the plastic? The only reason I want to clean mine is because there's so much dust on there that it's starting to block the dials when there's sun reflection on the plastic.

It's getting scratched up - I used moist lens towlettes that I got for use on my glasses, sunglases, etc...

I have a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria. I've seen polycarbonate safety glasses take a beating w/o a scratch. Why did Ford use such crappy lenses for the instrument panel???

Update: I decided to try a different approach: spray some of the lens cleaner (used for anti-reflective coated lenses) directly onto the panel and wipe it with a paper towel in a up/down motion. I see to only notice the side-to-side scratches.

I'll see how it looks later on.

[ May 06, 2005, 08:44 AM: Message edited by: metroplex ]

 

[luvs2drive]

I use a spray cleaner/polish I get from a Honda Motorcycle dealership. It's called Honda Pro-Polish. Works awesome on the dash and any optical plastics. My instrument cluster plastic looks new.

 

[Alan]

Mothers used to sell a plastic spray polish/cleaner but I don't know if they still carry it.

 

[ruking77]

Perhaps you have a few underlying assumptions, that are just not true as viewed (pun intended) through the results you are getting.

First of all dirt/dust is an abrasive, plastic epecially if you wish to retain optical clarity is very delicate. Even your polycarbonate scratch resistant eyeglasses WILL scratch if you use the wrong cleaning solutions or impliments.

If your panel is that dirty I would use 100% cotton toweling dampened in car wash soap and follow up with a clear H20 rinsed 100% cotton toweling. If you need to dry it again use 100% cotton toweling to dry.

 

[metroplex]

quote:

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First of all dirt/dust is an abrasive, plastic epecially if you wish to retain optical clarity is very delicate. Even your polycarbonate scratch resistant eyeglasses WILL scratch if you use the wrong cleaning solutions or impliments.

---

First of all, my eyeglasses and safety glasses usually get washed with water, soap, paper towel, napkin, cloth, whatever I find, etc... and it doesn't scratch period. The only way to scratch them is use a tool or really abrasive material.

If dust is scratching the instrument panel... then instrument panel plastic is cheap and chintzy. Even made in China watches with plastic faces fare better against dust scratches than the instrument panel on a $20k car. Other Crown Vic owners have experienced the same thing. I used lens cleaning cloths designed for camera lenses and it STILL scratched the **** instrument panel.

 

[acdcking]

[/QUOTE]First of all, my eyeglasses and safety glasses usually get washed with water, soap, paper towel, napkin, cloth, whatever I find, etc... and it doesn't scratch period. The only way to scratch them is use a tool or really abrasive material.
[/QB][/QUOTE]

I have worn glasses since the 9th grade, and can tell you that you do need to be careful or eyeglasses can be scratched. And paper towels are the worst.

 

[shortyb]

The plastic on instrument panels is usually an uncoated polycarbonate (for safety reasons) and susceptable to scratching fairly easily. A couple things I've used are; Meguiar's #17 Plastic Cleaner and #10 Plastic Polish, pretty good results with MINOR scratching, and Meguiar's new PlastiX, basically a combo cleaner/polish that took out a moderate scratch in my motorcycle headlight cover (hard polycarbonate). Once the scratches are gone/minimized, I use the same Honda Pro-Polish for maintenance. Minimizes the static also. Microfiber cloths are great for this sort of thing also. Use them damp and it lifts dust/dirt without scratching. Hope this helps a bit.

 

[metroplex]

Thanks shorty.

I do have microfiber cloths around, I guess I could use that along with the lens cleaner solution.

 

[moribundman]

If you want to clean plastic without scratching it, you need to first remove abrasive particles. Use a soft brush and gently dust off as much as possible. Then use a liquid plastic cleaner on a soft cloth, but never wipe in a swirling motion. Light scratches can be buffed out with plastic polish. An antistatic cloth (photograhic supply store) works well for keeping gauges and dash clean.

 

[tom slick]

I use some stuff called "plexus" it works great on optical plastic. I think it is the same as the honda plastic polish.

 

[kenw]

quote:

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Originally posted by acdcking:

---

First of all, my eyeglasses and safety glasses usually get washed with water, soap, paper towel, napkin, cloth, whatever I find, etc... and it doesn't scratch period. The only way to scratch them is use a tool or really abrasive material.
[/QUOTE]

I have worn glasses since the 9th grade, and can tell you that you do need to be careful or eyeglasses can be scratched. And paper towels are the worst. [/QB][/QUOTE]


that's because GLASS is not PLASTIC. Big difference. Paper towels won't hurt glass. They can hurt plastic.

most "eye glasses" are plastic. Instrument panel covers are almost always plastic.

 

[JohnBrowning]

On really old cars I take the plastic lens out and use safe cut or clear coat polising compound or even a cleaner wax and a felt bob and polish the scratch's out. Then I use a nice carnuba wax to fill and level the surface. It has consistently removed the crazeing from 12-16 year old Toyota cluster lens.

 

[oilpan49]

Yep, I agree with all the others and I laughed out loud when I read:

"Even made in China watches with plastic faces fare better against dust scratches than the instrument panel on a $20k car"

I'm a pretty loyal fan of Meguiars so I like to use a product called PlastX from there consumer line. Looks like this:

I use that in conjuction with a Meguiars Ultimate Wipe. Keeps the plastic in good shape,,,,,AR