Dashboard “glass” hazy

Hey all, I just got my 1st 4Runner! 2022 SR5 4WD Prium with around 48k miles. I love this vehicle! But the clear plastic over the dashboard that covers the speedometer/tachometer is hazy. I tried dawn dish soap and glass cleaner and nothing. It’s definitely on the outside because sometimes I can wipe it away a little bit. Almost wondering if I need to use one of those wipes that comes in a headlight restoration kit to see if it takes it off with an acid solution. Thoughts? I’ll post a pic.

 

Mine is so clear you can hardly tell it's there. I've never sprayed any cleaner or anything it that general direction though. Almost looks like there's protective film over it.

 

Welcome to the forum, Looks like something may have been sprayed on the dash cluster prior to your purchase.

Wonder if it got on there during them detailing it before you purchased it?

At a minimum it is not the way it should be.

 

Yeah something got sprayed/wiped on the dash cluster cover that shouldn't have. You can see in the photo how it is smeared all over. I'd maybe try a lens cleaner cloth before I'd try any sort of acid solution.

 

Maybe take a tiny dab of liquid car wax (not rubbing compound), rub a small spot, and buff it with a dry cloth. If that works, do the whole glass.

 

Thanks all. Great ideas. Any recommendations for liquid wax?

 

You need a plastic polish, like Meguire's PlastX. Done correctly, with a microfiber, it'll make it look like new. In the future do not use paper towels and Windex (or whatever) to clean it. That cluster lens scratches if you look at it too long.

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Pla...&qid=1695241538&sprefix=plastx,aps,156&sr=8-1

 

Looks like some chemical etched the acrylic. Honestly, it could've been the Dawn or if the glass cleaner had a heavy ammonia base. The Meguire's PlastX is amazing.

 

I personally like Meguiars.

 

I ordered the Meguiars. Thanks

 

get this once you get it cleaned up.

link won't copy over for some reason.

look for screenprotech.

 

Agree, any previous use of glass cleaner made for use on glass could have easily caused the hazing. Don’t use glass cleaner on this.

Also, I rarely clean my glass to make sure it keeps looking good. . Seriously, any dust that lands on it is very abrasive. Whenever I have “company” and want the glass clean, I gently dab a moistened towel to lift dust up (instead of swirling it across the surface). Turn the towel to a clean side on every dab. I do that a few times, then I’ll use a “plastic-safe”’cleaner to finish the job, with gentle pressure, in as few swipes as possible.

I think you can buy that plastic from toyota fairly cheap. Cheap is relative, depending on how much it bothers you. I also think it’s not that complicated to swap it out.

 

Have you used any dressing on your dash? They can really mess up the plastic on clusters. 303 protectant is known to have this problem.

 

I had a 1993 Ford ranger and the plastic was really bad I used the Meguiars PlastiX and it was incredible.

Use clean microfiber, clean properly, polish and change the spot on the rag multiple times. If you keep rubbing, any debris you pick up will also mark up the place you're rubbing.

 

No. Just got it.

 

I bought a very soft makeup brush that I keep in the glove box. That’s what I use any time the dust gets annoying. Gets the dust and debris around all the buttons and switches too.

 

If there is something previously sprayed, try 70% rubbing alcohol to see if it will cut through it

 

Be gentle....those lenses will scratch very easily. As mentioned, ScreenProTech has protectors for it. I have one one the 4Runner and Tundra. They have the radio screen pieces as well. @bigjfrank #2 is the part number if you need or decide to replace the lens.

https://www.sparksparts.com/v-2022-...emium--4-0l-v6-gas/body--cluster-and-switches

 

I tried an alcohol wipe and it does nothing.

 

Agree with the Meguiar's PlastX. Used this to restore the plastic gauge cover on my Grandson's 2004 Corolla.

OP's plastic cover does look like someone tried to clean everything in the interior using just one product (?) Or maybe a heavy ammonia glass cleaner and rubbed with a paper towel, as mentioned above.

For cleaning this area, I first use a tiny, micro-size toll/brush on the end of my ShopVac to suck all the loose dust away. Then clean using a computer screen cleaner with a soft microfiber cloth. Keeps it looking new.

 

The plast-X did OK. The folks before me really did a number on this plastic. I’ll keep trying to see if I can bring it back.

 

I’ve always used Novus plastic polish with success.

I have a dirty mind.

 

OP, I don't know how hard it is to remove the OEM dash cluster. Or whether you have the following tools. But if you can get it out of there, do this: get a plastic-specific buffing wheel for your bench grinder, set it on a low RPM, and use either PlastX or plastic rouge. Go at it easy, because high speed and not enough PlastX/rouge will cause burn/heat marks. Take it easy, work the plastic up/down and left/right. Finish it with a hand buff and it'll look like the day it rolled off the assembly line. It's hard to do with a rag in that confined space, so hopefully someone can link to a method for removing that cluster for the OP.

 

Another option for your Dremel:

Amazon.com: Magic&shell 20PCS Polishing Wheel Set Mounted Soft Fine Cotton Polishing Buff Wheel 1/8" Shank for Dremel Rotary Tools : Industrial & Scientific

Again, slow and low speed. Use rouge or PlastiX. Up/down, left/right. Buff with a good microfiber. Not sure if this is a viable solution because you still have to get the tool in there. Just trying to help.

 

Op, you ever get this fixed?

 

Screenprotech dot com