Just wondering what everyone is using for cleaning plastic dash lens without scratching. I replaced mine last year after cleaning all the gauges behind it but it is ready for an cleaning now. What works?
Thanks
Dunc

mirco fiber towel and for the polish use the stuff called plastiX you can get it at Advance Auto stores.

Blow off the dust first if you can, Like with a air line or those cans of air for cleaning computers. Then use micro fiber towel and plastiX. The dust is what scratches the plastic.

I've used Meguire's Scratch-X with excellent results.

I have a plastic cleaner and plastic polish (two separate items) made by 3M. I've used the cleaner and polish on all the lenses in my car in the past. They really make a difference. I think the polish and cleaner costs me around $6.00a piece 7 or 8 years ago at a local auto body supply store.

If the lenses are too far gone for the plastic polish, you need to wet sand. I ahd to do this on my contour last year for inspection. If you go on contour.org, there is a step-by-step process. It really turns out nice.

I've tried that plastix stuff on many lights and, just my experience, that stuff just sucks. Over and over and fine scratches remain visible. Took some NXT and polished then shot my lights down with Zaino z5 enhancer and its gone.

The wetsanding method Moloko describes works well but I now use a drill attachment with the polish after that and it turns out much better (for me) than by hand.

That plasticX stuff wouldnt even pull out the fine scratches on my very thin gauge cover in my 96 monte carlo. I've heard raving reviews about the stuff but my personal experience - it was worthless.

You can also get rid of yellowing / discoloring by seperating the lense from the assembly and baking it on very low temp in the oven. Clears up nicely but you have to pay attention to it. I dont know if it bakes stuff off, remelts the plastic slightly and lets it resettle or what but it works.

Flitz polish works pretty good too !

Gaz

Iv'e had good results with Blue Magic Plastic and Plexiglass Cleaner and light scratch remover.:thumbsup:

And, of course, theres the cigarette ash method as well. Free to us smokers for trying but if you dont smoke I am sure one of us hated scumbags live in your neighborhood and you could bum some ashes. :D

I have used a product that comes in a very small bottle called "Novus", it can be found at stores that work with plastics (Taps Plastics for example) and this stuff worked excellent on my gauge lenses. I forgot about this one because I ran out and havent gone back to the store I got it from.

Its in a small white bottle with red graphics / writing on it. Works very well on this plastic with light scratching or webbing.

Just another option. I have also heard good things about flitx and their drill attachment on plastics as Gazzer pointed out.