cloudy/scratched cover over instrument panel

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Jun 8, 2005 | 07:32 PM
  #1  
Anyone have a solution to a scratched up plastic cover over the instrument panel on a 2000 I30?

Any products that will shine it up clear and transparent??

(don't want to buy a new one!)
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Jun 8, 2005 | 08:06 PM
  #2  
Meguiars makes a polish/cleaner for about $6.00 plus shipping. Worked great on my I30. Website is www.meguiars.com They make great stuff!
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Jun 8, 2005 | 08:23 PM
  #3  
might be too extreme, but if its bad you can always wet sand and buff it.
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Jun 12, 2005 | 02:46 PM
  #4  
I ended up using Mother's plastic polish/cleaner with so-so results. (parts still have a haze over the plastic) It may just be time to replace the cover. Anyone do it and do they sell just the cover? Cost?
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Jun 12, 2005 | 04:40 PM
  #5  
cover is liek 26 bux from the dealership i think. use rubbing compound then the polish...it should come out perfect
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Jun 12, 2005 | 06:22 PM
  #6  
I purchased a new one fromt he dealer a few years ago because of the same issue and if I remember correctly, it was only about $10 for the plastic lense over the guage cluster. That is just for the clear plastic piece. May be worth it and save you time.
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Jun 13, 2005 | 06:13 PM
  #7  
Thanks for the input!
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Jun 14, 2005 | 10:43 AM
  #8  
Quote: I ended up using Mother's plastic polish/cleaner with so-so results. (parts still have a haze over the plastic) It may just be time to replace the cover. Anyone do it and do they sell just the cover? Cost?
I used some of my Mother's **** called "back to black" on the rear window seal... it only lasted 2 days before fading again.
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Jun 14, 2005 | 06:53 PM
  #9  
Well this is what I did and it worked great. Instead of getting a new one, I used the mothers plastic polish as noted above. Still had lots of scratches and areas that were cloudy.

Then I noticed that as I cleaned off the plastic cover with a damp cloth, the plastic was clear when wet. So I thought, what can I use to keep the cover wet?

So, I sprayed the cover with CRC 2-26 Plastic Safe Lubricant. (From Home Depot. The stuff seals electrical connections) The stuff dries crystal clear and hides all the scratches!!!! When I should it to my wife she said "what did you do, take the plastic cover off?" Thats how transparent the cover looks now!

So if you want a quick fix to cover all the scratches on your plastic instrument cover, just spray it with CRC 2-26!
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Jun 14, 2005 | 09:01 PM
  #10  
or u could have clear coated it
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Jun 6, 2011 | 01:37 PM
  #11  
elimintate scratches in two minutes.
Before you spend hours on this try my way.......which I leaned the hard way.

Use the shiniest silicone protectant, I like Black Magic myself. Wipe plastic with a damp cloth slightly impregnated with a drop of dishwasher detergent. When dry get the softest cloth you have and just wipe some of the Black Magic on it -- lightest coat you can put on. Done! Like new, will last for around a year.
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Jun 6, 2011 | 04:35 PM
  #12  
did you really just bump a 6 year old thread?
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Jun 6, 2011 | 07:56 PM
  #13  
lol. May be he's just trying to get his 15 posts
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Jun 7, 2011 | 05:29 PM
  #14  
Quote: Before you spend hours on this try my way.......which I leaned the hard way.

Use the shiniest silicone protectant, I like Black Magic myself. Wipe plastic with a damp cloth slightly impregnated with a drop of dishwasher detergent. When dry get the softest cloth you have and just wipe some of the Black Magic on it -- lightest coat you can put on. Done! Like new, will last for around a year.
Thanks for answering my post from 6 years ago!

But what I ended up doing is replacing the tinted plastic cover with a new clear one from the max. This solved two problems...scratches are gone and I can see the guages again as the cluster lights in the I30 have dimmed with age.
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