Ford Clear Lens - Instrument Cluster Bezel

**Junkyard** · 08-13-2016, 05:57 PM

I'm looking for some advice on how to deal with correcting the clear plastic lens that covers the instrument cluster in my 2014 F150. It has to be the softest clear plastic I have ever come across; I think I scratch it every time I drive it and glance down at the speedometer!

I have always used clean microfibre towels with some form of cleaner or fluid, although not always a specific plastic product. Usually I will give it a wipe with a dampened towel at the same time I'm cleaning my interior glass. Despite my efforts, the lens is full of scratches.

So far I have tried rubbing plastic-x, and the #10/17 combo. #10 & 17 gave it a "like new" reflective finish, but once the light hit it at the right angle you could see that it didn't really do anything with the scratches. So, my question is what do the experts recommend? Do I have the right product(s) but not the right tool(s)? Is there a specific technique I need to use? I'm thinking I need to go to town with the plastic-x, but obviously I am hesitant to work it too much for fear of making it worse.

**LSNAutoDetailing** · 08-13-2016, 06:33 PM

Once the scratches are there, it's impossible to get rid of them.
Essentially just like eye glasses, the extremely thin plastic is coated with an anti-glare coating.
When cleaning the gauge lenses, I use a soft Leica Cloth (for eye glasses and optics lenses) and Eye Glass cleaning spritz.

**Junkyard** · 08-20-2016, 06:36 PM

** Update **

So today I decided to pull the cluster and hit it with everything i've got. I took it down to my workbench and started with Plastic-X on a foam applicator in circular motions over the entire cluster face, working it for about 30-45 seconds. I removed it by spraying the cluster down with Meg's glass cleaner. I then applied #17 with the other side of the foam applicator and removed the haze with a lens cloth. I finished it off with #10 and another clean lens cloth.

It's not brand new, but it's 90% which works for me. It can be done!