E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Interior => Topic started by: Jocigar on August 19, 2020, 12:41:49 PM

Title: Instrument cluster lens repair
Post by: Jocigar on August 19, 2020, 12:41:49 PM
Has anyone restored the gauge lens? 

as in remove scratches and buff back to clear ?  wondering how workable the plastic is, if I can wet sand some deep scratched. 

Also buffing sometimes overheats and melts plastic if not careful.    Any hands experience with this?     

I would buy new from roseville but I need speedo too, found a cluster unit with lens scratch for 400 so would be worth it if I can fix it.

thx !!
Title: Re: Instrument cluster lens repair
Post by: Cudajason on August 19, 2020, 02:59:43 PM
Quote from: Jocigar on August 19, 2020, 12:41:49 PM
Has anyone restored the gauge lens? 

as in remove scratches and buff back to clear ?  wondering how workable the plastic is, if I can wet sand some deep scratched. 

Also buffing sometimes overheats and melts plastic if not careful.    Any hands experience with this?     

I would buy new from roseville but I need speedo too, found a cluster unit with lens scratch for 400 so would be worth it if I can fix it.

thx !!

I used some a product call PlasticX on mine years ago and it cleaned up pretty nice.  Cant hurt to give it a try.

Jason
Title: Re: Instrument cluster lens repair
Post by: Bullitt- on August 19, 2020, 03:07:59 PM
   Way back in the day I mess up a lens on my Duster.. Took it to a local shop that specialized in plastics & they buffed it out using a bench top buffer for me..
    I'd use low speed with extremely light pressure keeping the polish damp  :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Instrument cluster lens repair
Post by: anlauto on August 19, 2020, 03:27:28 PM
This won't remove HEAVY scratches but it polishes it up real nice....
Title: Re: Instrument cluster lens repair
Post by: PLY474 on August 19, 2020, 06:53:18 PM
I used the final polishing compound from a 3M headlight restoration kit.  Rubbed by hand.  Came out very well. 
I sometime use it to clean up lightly scratched CDs.
Title: Re: Instrument cluster lens repair
Post by: BIGSHCLUNK on August 19, 2020, 08:47:46 PM
We buff lots of plastic at the shop. Have had good results with the PlasticX and the buff kit show above. Keep things wet, heat is not your friend
Title: Re: Instrument cluster lens repair
Post by: Jocigar on August 20, 2020, 06:14:21 AM

Thank you all !  ...appreciate the help.

Title: Re: Instrument cluster lens repair
Post by: Spikedog08 on August 20, 2020, 08:37:30 AM
What year are you working with?  Is it the 70 style or the later style?   :dunno:
Title: Re: Instrument cluster lens repair
Post by: Mopar5 on August 20, 2020, 05:15:11 PM
800 grit wet sand and clear coat