Notices
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

"Cloudy" plastic on gauge

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-22-2005, 10:55 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
cruisinPB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pacific Beach, CA
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"Cloudy" plastic on gauge

I bought my '03 4Runner used and the previous owner must have used too harsh/abrasive of a chemical cleaner to clean the clear plastic of the gauge. It's not terrible to the point where I can't read the odometer or speedometer, but it's annoyingly cloudy - everytime I look at it, I cringe. I want to either fix it or replace it.

Anynoe ever run into this? My gut tells me it can't be fixed, but if anyone knows where I can buy a new clear plastic unit for the gauge, I'd be greatful.

Thanks,
Old 03-22-2005, 10:57 AM
  #2  
Contributing Member
 
rimpainter.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Try Toyota of Richardson. Ask for Cam in parts. He has always been good to me and offered great prices. Be sure to specify "internet pricing."
Old 03-22-2005, 11:18 AM
  #3  
Contributing Member
 
Tacoma Dude's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by cruisinPB
I bought my '03 4Runner used and the previous owner must have used too harsh/abrasive of a chemical cleaner to clean the clear plastic of the gauge. It's not terrible to the point where I can't read the odometer or speedometer, but it's annoyingly cloudy - everytime I look at it, I cringe. I want to either fix it or replace it.

I'm going to hazard a guess here and say that the previous owner used Armor-all on the interior.

That stuff does nasty things to the guage plastic pane.
Yeah, I'm not sure if it can be fixed - unless there's a plastic polish out there that'll work?
Old 03-22-2005, 11:21 AM
  #4  
Registered User
 
Steveh29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've used Meguiars plastic polishes with some success. May be worth a shot if new plastic is too expensive or unavailable.

http://www.autogeek.net/megglascarki.html
Old 03-22-2005, 12:08 PM
  #5  
Registered User
 
Buki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't know about cloudiness,but pledge furniture polish will take out scratches in plastic. Might be worth a try also.
Old 03-22-2005, 12:09 PM
  #6  
Banned
 
Localmotion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i had the same problem...except i was the dumba$$ who used armor all WT had this awesome plastic cleaner(used for windscreens on motorcycles) and it polished it right up

Matt
Old 03-22-2005, 12:20 PM
  #7  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
cruisinPB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pacific Beach, CA
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
These are all great suggestions. Thanks!
Old 03-22-2005, 12:51 PM
  #8  
WT
Registered User
 
WT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Virgina
Posts: 721
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Localmotion
i had the same problem...except i was the dumba$$ who used armor all WT had this awesome plastic cleaner(used for windscreens on motorcycles) and it polished it right up

Matt
well just made since to clean it up since we had the guages all apart to put them new face plates in
Oh the stuff I used is called Plexus works great cleaning and polishing up plastics, I would say if its real bad just remove the clear part and clean both sides.
Old 03-22-2005, 07:09 PM
  #9  
Contributing Member
 
89macrunner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Tempe, AZ
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
go to home depot they shouold have some plastic cleaner...its not really a cleaner it accualy breaks down the plastic a tiny bit and will clean it up.


I clean my interior with windex..does wonders on plastic and viynal just dont put it on died leather
Old 03-24-2005, 12:19 PM
  #10  
Registered User
 
2001Millrunner's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Lynnwood, WA
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
griot's garage offers plastic polish, you can use them for tail lights too
www.griotsgarage.com
Old 03-24-2005, 03:40 PM
  #11  
Registered User
 
jtmaxx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Mililani HI
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The plastic over my head lights and my guage cover is like that also. The interior is my fault. I used Simple Green on it.
Old 03-24-2005, 08:08 PM
  #12  
Contributing Member
 
Yamaha+Toyota=Fun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bellingham, Washington and Ketchikan, Alaska
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You could also try that stuff that they have on tv to clear up scratches on eye glasses. A guy I know that I ride with uses it to get scatches out of his google lenses. They are made of lexan. It seemed to work fairly well too.
Old 03-24-2005, 08:12 PM
  #13  
Registered User
 
FirstToy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm going through the same thing and I'm just going to buy a new OEM plastic part and pop it in.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ashamsuddin
General Vehicle Related Topics (Non Year Related)
17
01-13-2023 03:17 AM
Dale Johnston
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners (Build-Up Section)
11
10-31-2015 10:22 PM
zanzabar0
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
21
10-11-2015 02:56 AM
whiteyota93
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
11
09-29-2015 02:31 PM
mtrdrms
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
3
09-26-2015 07:12 AM



Quick Reply: "Cloudy" plastic on gauge



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 10:24 AM.