instrument cluster plastic
06-03-2009, 06:01 AM
#21
Swiffer is safer than a any paper towel or cloth but it can still scratch.
For less than the price of a box of 3 Swiffers, you can get a can of compressed air that will last you over a year.
With the Swiffer, it's not the Swiffer itself that scatches. It's the particles that get trapped in the fibers. Even without pressure, they can scratch that uber-soft platsic.
With the Swiffer, it's not the Swiffer itself that scatches. It's the particles that get trapped in the fibers. Even without pressure, they can scratch that uber-soft platsic.
Last edited by Bob58; 06-03-2009 at 06:04 AM.
06-03-2009, 06:17 AM
#23
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I agree with Bob -- better not to touch it at all. If you need to wipe, DON'T use paper towels. A micro fiber cloth would be best and if a cleaner is necessary, use one designed for use on airplane windscreens (which are made of plexiglass). I'm involved with a group that flies a WW II AT-6 Texan and we don't let paper towels and Windex (or any other ammonia based cleaner) near the canopy.
06-03-2009, 05:00 PM
#26
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Kind of hard to see the speedo and tach through anodized alum. Unless we are talking different plastic than I think.
If we are talking the somewhat cheap looking plastic surrounding the instrument cluster, I think the answer there is that alum would shrink Audi's profit margin, thus it wasn't used.
If we are talking the somewhat cheap looking plastic surrounding the instrument cluster, I think the answer there is that alum would shrink Audi's profit margin, thus it wasn't used.
06-03-2009, 05:12 PM
#27
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I'm going to suggest that there isn't an applicable plastic (polycarbonate probably in this case) that wouldn't scratch. I think the design flaw here isn't the choice of material but that the plastic is angled and curved in such a way as to really catch the light and show up the scratches.
It's been a long time since mainstream cars had glass gauge covers (like my old MG). Maybe you have to buy a Roller or a Maybach to get glass these days.
It's been a long time since mainstream cars had glass gauge covers (like my old MG). Maybe you have to buy a Roller or a Maybach to get glass these days.
06-03-2009, 08:13 PM
#28
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Despite the corn-ball name, PolyWatch does a good job removing fine surface scratches from different types of plastics. I've used it to remove scratches from both my car and motorcycle instrument cluster lenses. It's marketed as a acrylic watch crystal polish and as such, it's sold in small 5gram tubes for about $8.00. I've only seen it available for sale on the internet, but you could probably see if a local jewelry store stocks it.
I use Plexus plastic cleaner/polish for regular cleaning and protection of headlight lenses and instrument cluster. It leaves a clear polish-able film on the surface. Should only be used on smooth hard plastic surfaces; so don't use it on the satin anti-glare Nav. screen
<a href="http://www.esslinger.com/polywatch5grams.aspx"> PolyWatch </a> - where I purchased mine; can be gotten elsewhere.
<a href="http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/frames.html">Plexus</a> - company's website
06-03-2009, 09:41 PM
#29
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Kind of hard to see the speedo and tach through anodized alum. Unless we are talking different plastic than I think.
If we are talking the somewhat cheap looking plastic surrounding the instrument cluster, I think the answer there is that alum would shrink Audi's profit margin, thus it wasn't used.
If we are talking the somewhat cheap looking plastic surrounding the instrument cluster, I think the answer there is that alum would shrink Audi's profit margin, thus it wasn't used.
06-04-2009, 04:26 AM
#30
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PolyWatch(crystal Polish) and Plexus(plastic cleaner/polish) are a couple of products I've used with good results.
Despite the corn-ball name, PolyWatch does a good job removing fine surface scratches from different types of plastics. I've used it to remove scratches from both my car and motorcycle instrument cluster lenses. It's marketed as a acrylic watch crystal polish and as such, it's sold in small 5gram tubes for about $8.00. I've only seen it available for sale on the internet, but you could probably see if a local jewelry store stocks it.
I use Plexus plastic cleaner/polish for regular cleaning and protection of headlight lenses and instrument cluster. It leaves a clear polish-able film on the surface. Should only be used on smooth hard plastic surfaces; so don't use it on the satin anti-glare Nav. screen
PolyWatch - where I purchased mine; can be gotten elsewhere.
Plexus - company's website
Despite the corn-ball name, PolyWatch does a good job removing fine surface scratches from different types of plastics. I've used it to remove scratches from both my car and motorcycle instrument cluster lenses. It's marketed as a acrylic watch crystal polish and as such, it's sold in small 5gram tubes for about $8.00. I've only seen it available for sale on the internet, but you could probably see if a local jewelry store stocks it.
I use Plexus plastic cleaner/polish for regular cleaning and protection of headlight lenses and instrument cluster. It leaves a clear polish-able film on the surface. Should only be used on smooth hard plastic surfaces; so don't use it on the satin anti-glare Nav. screen
PolyWatch - where I purchased mine; can be gotten elsewhere.
Plexus - company's website
Thanks for the additional suggested products. I still think compressed air can only go so far. Sure it will remove loose dust, but what about dried spots from liquids (rain from having windows down, sneezes, accidental spit while talking, etc.).
