I give up...

M

Mindflux

New member
:( <-- pretty much how I feel every time the sun hits my speedometer gauge plastic.



I have been VERY careful in wiping down the soft plastic on my gauge cluster, but it seems no matter what I do, I'm adding scratches.



I'm using a Pakshak MF towel, that is always washed in Liquid Detergent and air dried.



I've tried the wipe/lift motion, the wipe motion. Dry wipe, Wet wipe.. Plexus wipe.



I swear each time I clean it, I'm just adding more and more scratches, of course when the gauge cluster isn't in direct sunlight (shaded by the dash) it looks pristine.



What on earth is the problem here? WHAT THE :angry :argue .



Also, construction crews SUCK. I didn't see this massive rock in the road the other day, I plowed over it, scraped the ca-ca out of my chin spoiler and it went bouncing around under my car. -- I have yet to see any leaks.. so I think I got "lucky".



Anyway, yeah the gauge cluster seems uncleanable without scratching it. Maybe I'll get some Meguiars Plastic polish... although all my novus plastic polish does is Haze up the darn plastic.



I give up..

:rolleyes: :nixweiss :down
 
I had the same problem. I bought some novus 2 and found that it made the problem worse. Then I sat like a maniac with a cd and the novus 2 until I found a way to use it properly. The only way I found that it didn't haze is to apply it with a foam applicator (the yellow ones you would use to wax) and to work it until it is completely dry. When applied with this method my results were :xyxthumbs



*EDIT*



Forgot to mention that I had to shake the novus very hard for a long time until I got it to a proper consistency.



Best Regards,



Kevin
 
Whoops, I mean I bought some Renovo, per a recommendation from CMA.



When I used it, all it did was Haze up my plastic.



I tried to order Novus from their webpage, but I never got a confirmation email, nor my product.



:angry
 
Wow MF, I kinda wonder from time to time how you were coming along with your plastic guage problem. Sorry to hear you still haven't fixed it. Would Novus #2 be any gentler than Plexus? :nixweiss I've never used Plexus, but it sounds less abrasive than Novus #2 I think.



I don't know how you'd do this without making a mess, but what about that ancient paint finishing trick about using dry cornstarch? Or what about using a CD scratch repair kit? I tried fixing a CD with Novus #2 at one point and couldn't stop it from creating micromarring. Last idea might be a pure glaze with a foam pad. I think they usually contain some solids in them that don't touch paint, but they might polish and fill in your plastic.... maybe? I dunno. :p
 
Plexus is very fine, takes a lot of rubbing to smooth even the finest scratches. Novus #2 is a little more abrasive, and Novus #3 is great for deeper scratches. IMO these are the best products on the market for plastic care - they put Meguiar’s to shame.
 
I can't figure this one out. My VW GTI 337 has the same instrument cluster as Mindfluxs' and I've had no problems at all with hazing/scratching.



I wipe it down with a damp MF every so often, and it looks great... :nixweiss
 
geekysteve said:
I can't figure this one out. My VW GTI 337 has the same instrument cluster as Mindfluxs' and I've had no problems at all with hazing/scratching.



I wipe it down with a damp MF every so often, and it looks great... :nixweiss
Click to expand...





Another 337 here, I'm doing the same as you and using a damp MF to wipe it down and have no problems either:nixweiss



I don't think I'm doing anything special???
 
geekysteve said:
I can't figure this one out. My VW GTI 337 has the same instrument cluster as Mindfluxs' and I've had no problems at all with hazing/scratching.



I wipe it down with a damp MF every so often, and it looks great... :nixweiss
Click to expand...



You got me, I have no freakin idea what's goin on. I just happened to get the sun right on the cluster the other day and saw it is absolutly destroyed.



I don't think there is any repairing this...



:rolleyes: :confused: :angry
 
Mindflux, did the dealership prep your car? Maybe it's something they did before you got it? Or maybe it's something they've done when you had it in for service??



You know how those VW service departments are....:down :down
 
derrickm said:
Mindflux, did the dealership prep your car? Maybe it's something they did before you got it? Or maybe it's something they've done when you had it in for service??



You know how those VW service departments are....:down :down
Click to expand...



No, it's certainly something I've done. I was very anal about the dealer not doing much to my car upon arrival.



There are reports all over VWVortex regarding soft cluster plastic. I've tried it all. :down



Dry wipe, damp MF wipe (which leaves streaks), spray plexus on.. wipe plexus off.



Scratches scratches scratches.



:down
 
Mindflux, I’ve done a lot of playing with plastic care products since my present car is the third one that I’ve owned with a plastic rear window and IMO if you can’t fix it with Novus and Plexus, then it can’t be fixed.



Plexus - least aggressive

Novus #2 - more aggressive

Novus #3 - most aggressive



Start with #2 using a folded microfiber towel. If that doesn’t take care of it then go to #3. Once the scratches are gone repeat with the next less aggressive polish and finish with Plexus.



Please let us know what you try, and how it turns out. Good luck!
 
Nick T. said:
Mindflux, I’ve done a lot of playing with plastic care products since my present car is the third one that I’ve owned with a plastic rear window and IMO if you can’t fix it with Novus and Plexus, then it can’t be fixed.



Plexus - least aggressive

Novus #2 - more aggressive

Novus #3 - most aggressive



Start with #2 using a folded microfiber towel. If that doesn’t take care of it then go to #3. Once the scratches are gone repeat with the next less aggressive polish and finish with Plexus.



Please let us know what you try, and how it turns out. Good luck!
Click to expand...



Oh i'm sure they can, they're small scratches. No big gouges..



Problem is.. I ordered Novus off their webpage.. never got charged, never got product. Go figure.



I wanted it... they didn't wanna give it!
 
I got mine direct from Novus, but you can also buy it here and save a few bucks.



Resist the urge to use Meguiar's #17, #10, & #18. <IMG SRC=http://home.jps.net/~ntaylor/images/thumbs-dn.gif>
 
Nick T. said:
I got mine direct from Novus, but you can also buy it here and save a few bucks.



Resist the urge to use Meguiar's #17, #10, & #18. <IMG SRC=http://home.jps.net/~ntaylor/images/thumbs-dn.gif>
Click to expand...





I tried directly from Novus. They never did anything when I went through the purchase process :(
 
Out of the two VWs I've owned, I've never had this problem.



I do however never ever touch the cluster, and the only thing that does touch it is a california dash duster.



The one time I have used it, I actually sprayed a protectant over it, one of those plastic protectants for use on the dash, like the meguiars protectant (not shiney), and after wiping it on and buffing the remaining residue, it actually fills in the little scratches (I have a few near the bottom, from the first owner) and shines perfectly.



Maybe this is something to try? I mean it can't hurt. :)



I understand how annoying it can be.



Are you applying these products when the cluster is in the dash? You may have more luck removing it, it is only held in by three screws and is a sinch to take out. If you want some instructions on how to do this, just hit me up.



- Anthony
 
adg44 said:
Out of the two VWs I've owned, I've never had this problem.



I do however never ever touch the cluster, and the only thing that does touch it is a california dash duster.



The one time I have used it, I actually sprayed a protectant over it, one of those plastic protectants for use on the dash, like the meguiars protectant (not shiney), and after wiping it on and buffing the remaining residue, it actually fills in the little scratches (I have a few near the bottom, from the first owner) and shines perfectly.



Maybe this is something to try? I mean it can't hurt. :)



I understand how annoying it can be.



Are you applying these products when the cluster is in the dash? You may have more luck removing it, it is only held in by three screws and is a sinch to take out. If you want some instructions on how to do this, just hit me up.



- Anthony
Click to expand...



Yeah it's in the dash. I dunno.. I've seen a few threads on the vortex regarding this issue. Same thing, ultra soft cluster plastic. I'm being as careful as I can, and the scratches just keep coming.



:down
 
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