machefai

While at the carwash, one of the interior people cleaning the car scratched the plastic covering the speedometer and gauges.

Looking for advice on how to get the scratch out!!

isthrizzy

they make plastic polish...I've used one from Griots and it worked pretty good. It all depends on the depth of the scratch, but it should at least help.

Carwash people are evil - you're lucky that's all that got scratched.

viper522

sumbich. I've used PlastX on clear headlights with good results. Don't know how you're going to get in there with enough leverage to get it done though.

Iceman5210

Try with a hair dryer to heat it up from far away and getting closer if needed if hair dryer is not hot enoughf try heat gun in low from far and you mey have to get closer you will notice if needed,im a tecnician instaler and when stuff like that happens a little heat solves the problem. G luck hope it helps!

MashinA

iTrader: (20)

its ok you will eventually learn to clean your car yourself!
in the meantime, i hope you get it taken care of

Sango

iTrader: (10)

If the recommendations fail, the last could be done is to purchase a new plastic for the cluster. I assume you are referring to the transparent piece.

IS3003o3

iTrader: (5)

only way is to wash your own car. i wouldn't trust those people no matter how "professional" they look

embolism

if you've never used a heat gun for this application before I don't suggest you use your car as the first guinea pig. More than likely, you will make it worse. Use the plastx or other polish with diminishing abrasives and work it in well.

Have to agree with 303 in that I never let anyone else detail my car. My friends keep sending me these dealfinds, groupons etc. for detailers offering 50% off or more and I say thanks but no thanks. I might let one of them shampoo my carpets but that's it... haha

ChrISF

again, why i never let anyone clean my car lol

ISF_GG

iTrader: (2)

^^^
If you have a nice car, don't let some knucklehead with a dirty "wash" rag grind scratches into your car! I ALWAYS wash my own car, and even to this day my IS350 has ZERO swirl marks in the paint, and no scratches on the interior wood/plastic.

machefai

Think something like this might work? http://www.amazon.com/Novus-Plastic-.../dp/B001J7EVCQ

Also, does anyone know what type of plastic it is? It's the clear plastic separating you from the speedometer and tachometer. Is it acrylic?

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

So how'd it get scratched in the first place? Wearing a watch or ring...really? No wonder they work at a car wash.

viper522

Not all detail services are created equal. A buddy of mine does house calls where he can spend 3-8 hours, depending on the car and what you want done, custom detailing a car. In the end it turns out nicer than showroom condition.

sigteacher

I wash my own car 90% of the time. If I'm really desperate I go to the only reputable car wash in my city, and even then I only allow them to do an exterior wash. I don't trust them with the interior. Moreover, they never clean the interior well enough to warrant the risk AND the extra $4. Hell, I don't even trust the Lexus dealership to wash my car!

machefai

yeah, i assume it was a ring of some kind that caused it. unfortunately, it's like a 4" long gash that's pretty thick/wide. you can't NOT see it every time you look down!

the car wash was a hand wash/detailing place, it took them 2 hours. and honestly, i don't feel like going back and yelling at them and going through the hassle of that whole process, just not worth my time. if i'd seen it right away, then of course. but unfortunately i didn't notice until the next day. if i head back to the area at some point, i'll definitely stop in, but not worth going out of my way for right now. it'll just will make me more angry when they point to some small sign saying they're not responsible for any damage.