[boostm3]

Anybody notice how easily the plastic in the gauge cluster around the gauges scratches? It accumulates dust very quickly, and even a gentle swipe with a finger will leave scratches ... Even a microfiber towel will scratch it when gently trying to remove the dust. Havent tried a moist one yet, but this plastic seems awfully soft to me making scratches unavoidable. Dont know if its only LCI models, or if they all have this condition, but curious to hear from others.

[dynamite]

I also noticed that after cleaning it soft towel. Now, even afraid of touching it.

[M2Nebula]

Same concept as exterior paint. Don't screw with it when dirty. If the dealer does a quick interior detail it usually ends up with scratched plastic surfaces. Clean low pressure compressed air and then a micro duster before any towel and cleaner. I would rather have some dust then scratched plastic. Keeping up with it is the best or don't touch it!

[M2Nebula]

[boostm3]

Well, with car paint, you can generally avoid scratches by using a lubricating quick detailer between the surface and the microfiber towel.

Do you think the same principle would apply to the gauge surrounds? From what Ive seen, those surrounds are way softer than the paint on the car which can generally survive a gentle touch with a dry finger; those surrounds cannot.

[M2Nebula]

Originally Posted by boostm3

Well, with car paint, you can generally avoid scratches by using a lubricating quick detailer between the surface and the microfiber towel.

Do you think the same principle would apply to the gauge surrounds? From what Ive seen, those surrounds are way softer than the paint on the car which can generally survive a gentle touch with a dry finger; those surrounds cannot.

Yeah, harder surface for the most part, but same overall thing....dirt and dust scratches. Don't f with it until you got your systems down, whatever they may be....

[diavliyo]

That can not be cleaned up by just looking at it.

[ORIGIN M.]

OP thanks for posting!

I will tape it off If I ever need a windshield replaced.

Good to know I am going to be quite careful now that I know.

[diavliyo]

Photos..

[M2Nebula]

I have a pre-LCI and haven't noticed any real softness in the plastic although I am always careful when cleaning/wiping plastic surfaces. In sunlight at the right angle it easy to see scratches if cleaned improperly. I miss old glass VDO's....

[boostm3]

Originally Posted by M2Nebula

I have a pre-LCI and haven't noticed any real softness in the plastic although I am always careful when cleaning/wiping plastic surfaces. In sunlight at the right angle it easy to see scratches if cleaned improperly. I miss old glass VDO's....

Can you please describe your procedure?

[M2Nebula]

Originally Posted by boostm3

Can you please describe your procedure?

If you have compressed air with a proper filter, then a partial squirt with an appropriate nozzle will remove most of the dust. A camera lens bellows duster or feather duster used lightly also works. Then normal microfiber towel with foaming glass cleaner.

[boostm3]

Originally Posted by M2Nebula

If you have compressed air with a proper filter, then a partial squirt with an appropriate nozzle will remove most of the dust. A camera lens bellows duster or feather duster used lightly also works. Then normal microfiber towel with foaming glass cleaner.

I dont have a compressor, but I do have cans of compressed air with little straws stuck in the nozzles to clean electronics, computers, etc. Think that would work?

[M2Nebula]

Yep, good alternative.

[Nezil]

I haven't tried cleaning the gauge plastic in my M2 for fear of the exact same thing that you mention OP. In my previous car (A 2012 Jaguar XF), I also probably only touched the gauges two or three times in the 6 years I owned it. In my wife's 2016 Honda Pilot, my kids scratched the gauge plastic within 5 minutes of me getting it home, just by poking their hands through the steering wheel and touching it.

Unfortunately gauge plastic on all cars I've owned is the softest plastic known to man. I have no idea why all brands have the same issue...

A little known fact is that CDs and DVDs scratch really easily, but for Blu-ray, a new coating was developed to prevent scratches and it really does work. It's still possible to scratch a Blu-ray, but they're much harder and more resilient than a CD or DVD. If it can be done for a cheap disc, why can't it be done for gauge clusters!

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Nezil

I haven't tried cleaning the gauge plastic in my M2 for fear of the exact same thing that you mention OP. In my previous car (A 2012 Jaguar XF), I also probably only touched the gauges two or three times in the 6 years I owned it. In my wife's 2016 Honda Pilot, my kids scratched the gauge plastic within 5 minutes of me getting it home, just by poking their hands through the steering wheel and touching it.

Unfortunately gauge plastic on all cars I've owned is the softest plastic known to man. I have no idea why all brands have the same issue...

A little known fact is that CDs and DVDs scratch really easily, but for Blu-ray, a new coating was developed to prevent scratches and it really does work. It's still possible to scratch a Blu-ray, but they're much harder and more resilient than a CD or DVD. If it can be done for a cheap disc, why can't it be done for gauge clusters!

I understand I am married to sneezy one of the seven dwarfs.

Sneezes all over everything... Bless her little heart.

[David.m]

Just checked my car after seeing this thread and not a mark of any kind to be seen anywhere on or around the cluster. Have had my car just over 3 months/5K km and clean the dash area probably every 2 weeks, in this area I initially use a damp microfibre cloth followed by a dry microfibre. We might have kinder dust in the southern hemisphere!

[stefan]

All BMWs are notorious for this. For whatever reason they find the cheapest utter shit plastic they can find. I'd say compressed air is the only way to safely clean it but then I imagine dust could get into the gauge cluster. Seriously there's no way to clean it without swirls or micro surficial scratches. It's deplorable.

On my past cars I've used some griots plastic polish and some elbow grease and that restored it pretty well.

[MrKepan]

Originally Posted by stefan

All BMWs are notorious for this. For whatever reason they find the cheapest utter shit plastic they can find. I'd say compressed air is the only way to safely clean it but then I imagine dust could get into the gauge cluster. Seriously there's no way to clean it without swirls or micro surficial scratches. It's deplorable.

On my past cars I've used some griots plastic polish and some elbow grease and that restored it pretty well.

I have owned a Toyota and it's the same situation. the material they use is kind of like some packaging used for the dry flowers/scented candles. if you ever bought those things.

[McGary911]

Mine's a pre-LCI and I keep a small microfiber towel in the side pocket. When I'm stuck at a light I sometimes give it a dusting...along with the iDrive display. Both look fine. Maybe the newer ones are the softies.

[stefan]

Originally Posted by McGary911

Mine's a pre-LCI and I keep a small microfiber towel in the side pocket. When I'm stuck at a light I sometimes give it a dusting...along with the iDrive display. Both look fine. Maybe the newer ones are the softies.

I promise you, your gauges have surficial scratches. take an LED at an angle to it or get direct sunlight on it.

[McGary911]

Originally Posted by stefan

I promise you, your gauges have surficial scratches. take an LED at an angle to it or get direct sunlight on it.

That's exactly what I did (the former, as it's been about 5 days since we've had sun down here). It's fine.