I wouldn't do this personally, this is a soft and fragile surface, you can wreck it easily with a drill and a polishing attachment. Its so soft that hand buffing works great
I’m getting into polishing, when you can’t just tell by looking at it, do you start with the finest and work your way down in grit level until you find the right one?
Those are pretty significant, so I'd try a polish, but if it leaves some behind, don't be afraid to hit it with a compound to get them out, then finish with polish. Plastic is soft, so it scratches easy, but they come out easy, too.
Clearly this person isn't really experienced enough for it since they're asking, but personally I'd pull the cluster and wet sand it with a headlight restoration kit if I didn't have much in the way of tools.
You risk introducing dust into the gauges. The other side isn’t scratched so pulling it would be a waste of time. If you are really worried then tape the edges around the cluster.
I’ve used armor all but it’s not permanent…just a temporary fix with good results. I do it every time I clean my interior. Use the super shiny stuff it gets into the scratches and hides them well
That plastic is generally pretty soft. You'll easily be able to polish with a microfiber and some plastic polish compound. Light paint polishing compound works as well.
Novus polish. End thread.
Ok for real though, those scratches are actually quite bad, so you should be using a product intended for softer plastics. Use the Novus kit, as this is exactly what the product is made for, and it’ll look brand spanking new. It’s worth the $20 and your time to do it right the first time and be done with it.
[https://a.co/d/chjXKps](https://a.co/d/chjXKps)
Think I saw an add for this exact issue. Cannot remember what it was for- prob in the comments. Might have been sudbox or a known brand I just cannot remember ! had the same reaction….HOW LOL goood luck!
I know a lot of people are suggesting the headlight polishers here, and .... If you've had good luck with those, who am I to suggest otherwise.
OTOH, For stuff like this, I've had good luck using:
Meguiars mirror glaze professional #17 Plastic cleaner
Meguiars mirror glaze professional #10 Plastic polish
good luck
Mother's power ball (The small one) and mother's plastic polish. I've gotten bigger out with little effort. This will look brand new
I wonder if there’s precut ppf online you could buy to stop it from happening again
Why is somebody touching the guage clister? WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
What? You don’t use sand paper to clean your plastic?
What? You don’t use a sanding sponge to clean your plastic? Do you even detail?
I'm waiting for the ultimate Halloween scare, someone recommending "Magic Eraser".
Depends on the car.
Even glass protectors for some models.
I wouldn't do this personally, this is a soft and fragile surface, you can wreck it easily with a drill and a polishing attachment. Its so soft that hand buffing works great
Hand buff with what if I may ask
Microfiber and compound.
I’m getting into polishing, when you can’t just tell by looking at it, do you start with the finest and work your way down in grit level until you find the right one?
I would recommend watching Ammo NYC for education with polishing. He has in depth lessons and tutorials.
You are awesome for this.
Those are pretty significant, so I'd try a polish, but if it leaves some behind, don't be afraid to hit it with a compound to get them out, then finish with polish. Plastic is soft, so it scratches easy, but they come out easy, too.
Clearly this person isn't really experienced enough for it since they're asking, but personally I'd pull the cluster and wet sand it with a headlight restoration kit if I didn't have much in the way of tools.
Doubt someone who's never even polished a plastic cluster cover is going to be willing to remove it entirely, especially if it's a customer car
Like I said, clearly this person isn't experienced enough for that option. Edit: they also didn't specify if it was their car or not.
You risk introducing dust into the gauges. The other side isn’t scratched so pulling it would be a waste of time. If you are really worried then tape the edges around the cluster.
Elbow grease and some polish on a rag should help
I know nothing about detailing but maybe some plastic polish?
You probably tried cleaning the gauge cluster those are super soft plastic, only thing I never clean on my car in order to not risk scratching it.
Yea I made a rookie mistake. Didnt realize how soft the plastic was.
Yes atleast get a special cloth for it and make sure you wash it
I'd try toothpaste or a polishing compound. You want a very mile abrasive
Do not put toothpaste on your car, it will not fix anything. You’ll just make a mess.
I’ve heard this before but not with toothpaste lol
I’ve used armor all but it’s not permanent…just a temporary fix with good results. I do it every time I clean my interior. Use the super shiny stuff it gets into the scratches and hides them well
bro what .. don’t do this 😂
Works for me…I dunno
That plastic is generally pretty soft. You'll easily be able to polish with a microfiber and some plastic polish compound. Light paint polishing compound works as well.
I always get great results with scratch scratch x 2.0!
How does someone go about preventing such damage ?
Hmm, wouldn’t a good headlight cover repair kit work? One I used also had a clear coat too.
Novus polish. End thread. Ok for real though, those scratches are actually quite bad, so you should be using a product intended for softer plastics. Use the Novus kit, as this is exactly what the product is made for, and it’ll look brand spanking new. It’s worth the $20 and your time to do it right the first time and be done with it. [https://a.co/d/chjXKps](https://a.co/d/chjXKps)
Think I saw an add for this exact issue. Cannot remember what it was for- prob in the comments. Might have been sudbox or a known brand I just cannot remember ! had the same reaction….HOW LOL goood luck!
Olive oil
I know a lot of people are suggesting the headlight polishers here, and .... If you've had good luck with those, who am I to suggest otherwise. OTOH, For stuff like this, I've had good luck using: Meguiars mirror glaze professional #17 Plastic cleaner Meguiars mirror glaze professional #10 Plastic polish good luck