Hey all

Anyone have any tips to avoid putting fine scratches in the gauge cluster plastic when cleaning the dust off? No matter what I try to do, I always seem to get some. I used my sunglass cleaner and the microfiber cloth and got a few minor swirls today, though they are barely noticable. I had great success using that to clean the Navi Screen but the gauge cluster is always a problem!!

Suggestions?

 

I would like to know too. I have had fine swirls on every car I have owned. Anyone had ideas becuase removing swirls from plastic in that tight of a spot is not going to be easy.

Mine sits with 1/4" dust right now to avoid swirls.

 

That plastic is really soft. Fine scratches are pretty well impossible to avoid. The last time I was in the States I picked up some Stoner Invisible Glass cleaner and it actually fills in some of the swirls. Seems to work well.

 

I'm not even going to try cleaning the plastic on the gauge cluster. I know I'll scratch it. When I was putting some Vinylex on the dash yesterday, I was super careful to avoid the plastic around the gauges. The only thing I do is go over it *very* carefully with my trusty california duster, but that's it. So far, no scratches

 

Yeah, a california duster sounds like a great idea, or some kind of feather duster...I think i'll give it a shot. What can I lose knowing that I will scratch it if I wipe it with anything anyway!

 

I use a terry cloth-type microfiber towel for gently dusting or cleaning the clear plastic -- not the thin eyeglass cleaner style. The MF won't scratch, and the dust/dirt particles go into the thick nap of the towel rather than being driven into the plastic surface. I sometimes use a little Einszett Cockpit Premium cleaner after dusting first.

FYI, there are good plastic polishes and cleaners available which can repair scratches (e.g. Novus). They can work wonders if your guages are already scratched.

 

to dust in the car, i use a pretty nice microfiber towel, don't get the cheap crap. you can use this to clean ur navi screen too. a little water and a tiny amount of pressure will clean it all. the california duster works very well. those cans of air people use for their computer works well to dust the car also.