[Luongo]

I have a 2014 428i. I have recently noticed that the instrument cluster shows perfectly vertical scratch lines on the whole surface of the plexiglass and some strange haziness at the bottom part only when direct sunlight hits it at just the right angle (from the driver's side).

The plexiglass appear perfectly clear and not a single scratch is visible 99% of the time, but as soon as a low sunlight hits it, it shows all these imperfections. It appear to be on the inside surface of the plexiglass, not the outside.

Just to see if it is on the outside or inside surface, I have applied a small piece of screen protector at the bottom edge of the plexiglass. This would normally hide scratches on gorilla glasses or acrylic lenses but the imperfections on my cluster do not disappear at all and stays exactly the same.

Anyway, I just wanted to see if any of you have noticed similar scratches or haziness of their instrument cluster.

[NO_RETURN]

Please don't take this the wrong way but the most likely culprit is someone damaged it. Possibly even the dealer.

If you take your car somewhere to have it washed, the guys wiping down the interior aren't particularly gentle even if you are paying for a $$$ detail job... Typically they will use the same towel to wipe down your dash, seats, door jams, and any other dust dirt etc they see.

Reccomend that you DIY & use seperate clean towel for anything like plastics and never rub or scrub. For light clean up I just use a Swiffer Duster in my cars. Grabs the dust and you'd really have to try to scratch a surface with one, Inexpensive too.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

For some unfathomable reason I nstrument panel plastic is the most soft plastic known to man. My last car came new all swirly and hazy. All but the cleanest and softest microfiber will clean it safely. Luckily mine is pristine and I don't let anyone else wash the car for that reason, even the dealer. If it gets dusty I use compressed air to dust it. You can try plastic polishing products but they don't do a great job in my experience.

[Luongo]

Thanks for your input. I am so convinced that this weird haziness is on the other side (away from the driver) of the plexiglass.

Also, if there is a slightest cloud cover, the plexiglass appear pristine even when the sun is directly shining on it. It only shows up on a perfectly sunny and cloud free days at certain times (morning or evenings).

Very strange indeed.

[Fronzdan]

I wouldn't try polishing it out. It's not bad enough to warrant it and will likely make it worse. Plus if it's on the inside you don't want to crack it open introducing more dust and crap. I feel for ya, that stuff drives me nuts. It could have been done during assembly. 😨

[dL.]

You can try buying a solution called Polywatch. It has worked wonders for me removing fine scratches on instrument panel.

Finish it off with a coat of Plexus as that will leave a shine and protect the plastic.

The thing with polish is this. Polish simply spreads the scratch to a wider surface, thus making it less obvious. Since the instrument panel plastic is so huge, you will need to spread the scratch across. So never just wipe that area at the bottom. You will make it worse. You have to evenly polish the entire instrument panel in circular (or horizontal, personal preference really) motion to make it even. If you shine a light after you polish, you will notice that you will see wider spread scratches but much more finer.

It is impossible to remove scratches once it's on. But you can reduce the visibility by polishing. But you need a big surface to spread it otherwise you are just wasting time.

But if the scratch is catching your nails, then it's already too deep then I suggest to just leave it instead.

Hope this helps!

dL

[Luongo]

Found a similar problem on an Audi forum. The OP noticed the scratches under similar circumstances (direct sunlight at low angle). His dealer swapped the whole instrument cluster with a brand new one with factory protective film still intact. When he peeled the protective film, the new one was in exact same condition. The scratches are not on the surface, but in the plexiglass itself.

http://www.audiworld.com/forums/a7-1...uster-2831795/

[dreamspeed]

Yah the plastic is really prone to scratches. Even a soft microfiber cloth might scratch it, I would recommend using the clothes for eyeglasses and camera lenses

[tboooe]

This reminds me of my instrument cluster in my Audi, just sneezing at it will scratch it. As others have mentioned even using a micro fiber cloth will mar it. I now only use a swiffer and a damp MF cloth to LIGHTLY wipe it. Any sort of pressure will cause scratches.

[DC X3M40i]

I feel your pain
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...hlight=Cracked

Have the same/similar issue. Have an apt scheduled to have it looked at but I think I will just postpone until my regularly scheduled maintenance in May. Gonna see if the dealer will replace under warranty. I have a 2011 Honda minivan which doesn't get the same level of care my f30 gets but it seems like little things like thins would never occur.

[LZM Ray]

I had a pretty long scratch after valet once, I boght this scratch remover from target automobile section, and rubbed it in to the scratch, by the next morning it was GONE never saw it again, even when the sun hits it. The scratch was pretty bad too. So, worth the try $8.99

Product name is Meguires scratch remover gold or something like that

[smithf80]

bump mine is swirled and I want to clean it up!

[chazmink]

I would use Novus plastic scratch remover. Google it or search on eBay. I have used it on crystal displays on hand held radios with great success. Good luck.

[Chris@codemybimmer]

+1 for novus.
used it on mine and it worked like a charm