Instrument Panel Plastic Is Hazy

[nuggetWRX]

So first let me start by declaring I'm a dumbass, just so that's out of the way. Here's what I did...

I use 303 Aerospace Protectant wipes on my dash and door panels and it works great, so I thought I would use it to clean my plastic instrument cluster panel. That was months ago, if not over a year. It was fine at first but recently I have been actually in my car quite a bit and the oil from the 303 wipes made it hazy. It started to bother me being that it's in front of my speedometer and I look at my gauges as much as anyone else does who drives.

I tried using windex to lift the oil, but it didn't work. It spread it around on the clear plastic panel. Then I tried using water, but that failed too. I also tried dish soap and warm water (ratio of 1:1) but that didn't work either. The water and the warm water with dish soap methods both went back to being hazy after I dried it.

Anyone have anything they can say that would help me? I think it's baked in because of the time I've left it on the plastic, but is there any way to save it?

My friend mentioned Meguires PlastX as an option, any idea if this will do any good?

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[Kean]

This is tricky Nugget. Those surfaces IME tend to be very sensitive. I try to avoid wiping them down as much as possible (prefer to just lightly dust when possible).

As for polishes, Plast-X may even be a little too harsh. It may be better to use something even lighter if possible.

Personally, I don't have much experience since I have rarely had to address this type of issue myself. However, some seem to have success with products like Meguiars #17 Plastic cleaner and #10 Plastic Polish. ....or something like Plexus. 3M also has a Plastic Cleaner (#39017) and Plastic Polish (superseded by #39010 these days it seems) that I have myself in one of my cabinets. I vaguely remember using this combo on an instrument cluster.

In either case, I would do some research on a sites like Autopia.org and maybe pick up some tips. I can tell you that your choice of towel will make a big difference. You don;t want something that will induce marring while wiping off the polish/product. ....you'll be walking in circles and beating your head against the wall.

[nuggetWRX]

I realized that I was up a river when the Magic Eraser my mom said "give it a shot, what have you got to lose" to started to scratch the plastic. So in good nature of not damaging it any further, I called my local Subaru dealer and ordered a new one for $26. I thought it would be the best option rather then waste hours of my time I don't have and money I'd rather not waste on tubes of polishes and cleaners I'll barely use.

I will keep that Autopia.org site in mind. I have a tendency to use good products on my car, except in this instance it was a lapse of judgement that put me up a river in the first place. I will just dust from now on, and if it gets dirty, only use filtered water.

[Kean]

Originally Posted by nuggetWRX

I realized that I was up a river when the Magic Eraser my mom said "give it a shot, what have you got to lose" to started to scratch the plastic. So in good nature of not damaging it any further, I called my local Subaru dealer and ordered a new one for $26. I thought it would be the best option rather then waste hours of my time I don't have and money I'd rather not waste on tubes of polishes and cleaners I'll barely use.

I will keep that Autopia.org site in mind. I have a tendency to use good products on my car, except in this instance it was a lapse of judgement that put me up a river in the first place. I will just dust from now on, and if it gets dirty, only use filtered water.

....wow, $26? Yeah, that's a no-brainer then. I would have thought they didn't sell those separately but that's great news.

[nuggetWRX]

I didn't actually know they came apart from the gauge cluster until I took the cluster out and saw the plastic quick-release tabs on the side. Lucky for me it was only $26, that's an affordable mistake. Until mid-week I'll be driving with no obstructive plastic in front of my gauges! Haha.

[Kean]

Good deal. Nice to know they come apart. Hopefully this thread will provide a nice alternative to a lengthy restoration. I'll definitely remember it next time I run across someone in the same situation.

[nuggetWRX]

I'm glad my lack of awareness in the department of solvents + plastics may be of benefit to someone down the road, haha.

[Kean]

Originally Posted by nuggetWRX

I'm glad my lack of awareness in the department of solvents + plastics may be of benefit to someone down the road, haha.

....happens to a lot of us (including myself). It's crazy how soft/sensitive some of these plastics can be.

[lando]

lol, magic eraser is very abrasive dude.

[nuggetWRX]

Originally Posted by lando

lol, magic eraser is very abrasive dude.

haha yep, i know that now. like i said, luckily a replacement piece was only $26.

[Cloneboy17]

I just replaced mine as well. Couldnt have been easier. just remove the 2 screws above the gauges. pop the bezel out. pop the plastic out. and reverse for reassembly. Does anyone know of something you can put on the plastic to scretch proof it? im thinking something along the lines of a screen protector for a cell phone. Any ideas? im thinking of ordering a couple more of the plastic covers so when this one gets scratched up i can just have a replacement ready to go. but it seems like a screen protector type thing would be easier and more cost effective.

[Kean]

Originally Posted by Cloneboy17

Does anyone know of something you can put on the plastic to scretch proof it? im thinking something along the lines of a screen protector for a cell phone. Any ideas? im thinking of ordering a couple more of the plastic covers so when this one gets scratched up i can just have a replacement ready to go. but it seems like a screen protector type thing would be easier and more cost effective.

....personally, I just try to avoid cleaning these areas with anything but my softest towels and only in a light motion to remove any surface dust. I don't like using cleaners on these surfaces and only do so when needed. ....which is rare since I try to keep my hands off of the lenses and avoid overspray when cleaning the rest of the interior.

[EdHilario]

Hey OP, got the part number for the replacement plastic?

[Techie Will]

I know this is years old and I'm not trying to necro, but went through the same thing with a severely scratched JDM cluster I just received.

This fits 2002 - 2007 clusters. Part number: 85075FE000

[thao96]

bump up

[JBHawkeye]

bump!