I was wondering if anyone has a good way to clean the lens that covers the speedo, temp, feul gauge etc. I have always used a soft damp terry cloth in the past but over time it seems to leave hairline scatches which you really only see when the sun shines directly on it. I presume it is made out of Polycarbonate or maybe Acrylic. I don't know if you use a microfiber cloth that it would be any better. Anyways I am always open to a better way if you have one.

 

You might try using a plastic polish to get rid of the hairline scratches, and a plastic detailer to keep it clean. You can pick them up at any auto parts store. Never use ammonia based cleaners (ie. Windex) on plastic, it can ruin the finish. I use a plastic polisher for the lexan windscreen on my motorcycle and it keeps it optically clear. I always use a high quality mircofiber cloth, my experience with cheap cloths is that they tend to scratch. Also just to note, I believe that all plastics tend to have some hairline scratches, it's just the way it's manufactured.

 

I also have fine scratches as well. And I alway use a damp cloth. Any ideas on how to remove the scratches and prevent them in the future? (other than NOT cleaning the dust off the lens)

 

See my post above.

 

Thanks, Moptop! I'll have a look next time I am at an auto parts store. Hmm..wonder when that will be? Just one of the nice things about the TCH is it doesn't need much care. I see mostly older cars on the parking lots of these places when I drive by. Have you ever seen the oil soaked parking spaces from the oil-leakers? My TCH will most likely be the most expensive vehicle there!

Anyway, do you have a brand of plastic polish to recommend?

 

I use the novex spray for cleaning
http://www.novuspolish.com/

or I've heard good things about the Meguires PlastX
http://www.meguiars.com/?clear-plast...Cleaner-Polish

The Meguires might be a little overkill though reading the description. Personally I would start with just a detailer spray before going to any sort of actual cut polish.

 

For initial cleaning, try a very soft interior detailing brush to gently remove the grit and dust on the surface (running a vacuum near the brush helps). Once the major grit is off, try using Plexus as a cleaner. Spray it on a good micofiber towel and then wipe on and polish the lens cover.

Plexus and Aerospace 303 are good for interior and exterior plastics (including headlight covers). Both were originally developed for the aviation industry and work very well with almost any plastic found in autos today.

 

I was about to post this same question...and now we have an answer...cool.

 

I use a camera lens brush you can pick up at any Wolf Camera or similar type store. The soft lens brush will not scratch the plastic and the fine bristles get along the edges pretty well.... You can even get a small squeeze type blower brush to really clean the crevices if you're in to super detailing...

 

GeorgiaHybrid: Where can you purchase Plexus? On Youtube they have videos of it used for laptops, ipod / cellphone screens etc. Not sure if it can be used there safely (and I am not recommending it) but interesting!