Instrument Cluster Scratches

One of my regular customers brought me his 2008 GTI and asked if I could remove some fine scratches in the plastic instrument cluster along with the normal detail. I have never done this before, so does anyone have a method that works? The scratches are very fine.

I do have Megs Plast-x and Menzerna polishes.

 

I wanna know too.... My dad's van has a ton of scratches on the instrument cluster and it takes away from an otherwise clean interior.

I saw this video a few weeks ago and it's definitely applicable to your question.... Watch how this guy gets the job done. But this method would be tough to use in some situations where there is little room for a buffer:

YouTube - Innovative Detailing presents "TODS" The Other Detailer's Scratches

 

I honestly wonder how well some of these head light lens polishing kits might work for this? I have new plastic to go over the cluster in one of my cars. I might just have to test is out.

 

Like PlastX? Hm.... good question. I got a bottle I might try that and see what kind of results I get.

 

I found this at the my local carquest.
Duragloss #681, Duragloss PLP (Plastic Lens Polish)
It seem to do a good job removing them from the speedo lens on my mini.
I might try a coat of cquartz or opticoat to keep from scratching again.

 

do remember that some dashes have a matte coating ontop so watch out when you're polishing.
you may end up having a shinier dash than you want =p

 

I think you will have to remove cluster from the dash to do so....good luck!

 

Isn't this thread about plastic lens?

 

Plast-X works great. You need to use a terry towel (more bite) for the initial buffing. You should do the final buffing with a yellow applicator. Patience is key. It takes a few buffings before you start seeing any improvements.

I removed scratches from the shifter and cluster my 06 highlander when I first bought it.

 

THis begs the question...How does one clean the plastic that covers the instrument cluster? I hear that plastic is super sensitive.

 

depending on the car, you can actually snap most of the plastic lenses off the actual cluster, just be careful not to touch any of the dials.

 

Sorry I have failed my comprehension of instrument thingy

 

I'm going to give PlastX and a foam applicator a shot.

 

I remove the trim to expose all the edges of the cluster lenses and just polish with Optimum Polish II and my 3" pads that fit on my drill...only takes about 5-10 minutes.

 

Some detailers remove scratches from external plastic door pillars using Menzerna PO203S and a white pad. This may or may not work on the instrument panel plastic, and you would probably have to do it by hand.

Zaino Z-14 Plastic Cleaner and Polish is another product you may want to examine. I haven't tried it but their other products are pretty good..

 

Soooo, Ever since I bought my car *I have had these stupid scratches on my Gauges cluster housing. IT HAS ALWAYS PISSED ME OFF!!!! I got tired of looking at these light scratches in the light So i removed the cluster to handle business.

All Work Was done by Hand

-3M Rubbing Compound
-3M Plastic Cleaner'
-3M Plastic Polish
-CG MF Towels




Removed the Cover Bolts....





Exposed the Cover and cleaned all the dust off the inside.

3 Steps to Corrected the Plastic.... All Done by Hand Using CG MF Towels

I picked up the Chemicals from Detailing.com and wanted to go all 3M on this one.

-3M Rubbing Compound
-3M Plastic Cleaner'
-3M Plastic Polish





Looks LOT better!!!

 

Mine are pretty bad on both my cars. Yay for buying old cars from people who could care less... Looks like that method worked pretty well for you Handz, I'm going to have to pick up some plastic cleaner and polish! Already have the rubbing compound, that stuff is amazing.

 

Another great combo is CG extreme wet glaze followed by the new Megs D301 finish polish/wax, used this combo today on plastic Porsche speedo covers and they were pretty bad...........used a 100ppi foam applicator and it took awhile but too aggressive of a applicator will re-marr the surface, just one of those tasks that requires time.

 

this is my question as well. i have some minor scratches and dont want to add any more.

 

Seeing that it's mostly dust build up use compressed air. But other than dust everything else is a different story and I can't help you out.