Polishing Instrument Cluster Lens

[dswancutt]

Anybody know of a good way to clean up the instument cluster lens? I found the best of the 4 I had, but it is yellowed and slightly scratched.

Thanks in advance

[pokethesmot]

headlight cleaner

[Painted75]

I use a 3M headlight polishing kit. It is fairly expensive for a one time use, but most of the components in the kit are available separately and can do wonders for hazed plastic.

The easiest solution would be 3M 39017 Plastic Cleaner followed by 39010 Plastic Polish. You may need to use a very fine sandpaper to clean any serious hazing, the kit I have uses 1500 grit and 2500 grit.

The key is to go slow and check several times. Good Luck.

[ron350]

It will be interesting to see how many people have been able to polish the yellow haze out of the plastic lens.

After many years of exposure to sunlight I wonder if the lens is yellow all the way through.
About 20 years ago I polished my 75-model lens and was able to clean up lost of the scratches. Not sure if I removed any of the yellowing but I could see the gauges better.

About 10 years ago I polished the lease again trying to remove the yellow haze but did not have much luck. Both times I only used polishing compounds so maybe sanding will remove some of the yellow?

Sure do wish the replacement lenses were cheaper. LOL

[78 Chevyrado]

I use flitz on all my clear plastic. It's a metal polish but it does a great job, fast, on plastics and it will buff out many scratches as long as they aren't too deep.

[kelsfine69]

I have used a rubbing compund and wax. It works good for the light scratches.

[piecesparts]

I use the 3M Finnessee-It pollishing compound to polish paint and it works great on plastic lenses, also. It can be done by hand or if you are brave, you can use a buffer set at slow speed.


All else fails, use toothpaste---it is nothing more than a fine grit polishing compound.

[dswancutt]

Thanks for all the great ideas and suggestions. I tried the Finesse-it, mainly because I has some on hand and it did a pretty good job of cleaning up the lens. The truck must have been owned by a smoker at one time since a lot of the yellow seems to be coming off.

[maxreps]

Finess-it then Nexus 2

[maxreps]

Finess-it then Nexus 2

[Painted75]

On more thing to suggest, use a wax of some sort to protect the plastic after any compounding/sanding/buffing, otherwise the surface will oxidize all over again. It basically just seals off the raw plastic surface. You will probably need to continue to polish it no matter what. The few I have done I always go over once a year with a good cleaner wax to ensure they stay looking good.

[73chevyman]

i wet sanded mine looks awesome just need to buff it more going to get the head light cleaning kit or some rubbing compound

[73chevyman]

i need to get the back half of the bezel its all brkoen from the previous owner all the screws holding the gauges are there but the screws holding the cover on is the problem hope i find one cheap and put all my gauges in it. don't clean the gauges with window cleaner you'll rub the writing off. lol i almost did

[killthewabbit]

I bought a new one from LMC a few years ago and it fit like a champ. Installed it in like 10 minutes. Here's a link to me doing it:

http://www.atleastihavechicken.com/w...-my-truck.html

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by Painted75

On more thing to suggest, use a wax of some sort to protect the plastic after any compounding/sanding/buffing, otherwise the surface will oxidize all over again. It basically just seals off the raw plastic surface. You will probably need to continue to polish it no matter what. The few I have done I always go over once a year with a good cleaner wax to ensure they stay looking good.

The instrument bezel is not as important to wax as the headlights would be. I have done my bezels in my trucks and have not had to wax or do anything more than just wipe the dust off of them in the last 3 years.

[slugish]

brothers has them also >

you will never get the old ones to look anything like you will be satisfied with.

[factory2wdblazer's]

mother's work's on every-thing window's, metal, plastic.. if polishing plastic be careful don't get the plastic to hot.

[heavychevy79]

I did prety good with a small air tool and buffing pad/wheel until I melted the
plastic in one spot.
Wet sanding then fine cut polishing wax/compound does work better.

[73chevyman]

i should of took a pic i used crome cleaner on mine mothers and buffed and buffed till i got fed up with it lol but the speed and the gas gauge turned out ok need to do it more when i got more time but it almost looks new

[mexgrhd68]

what if you buff and then clear coat it? will that work? just a thought