Foggy Dash (Instrument Cluster)

[oasis]

Is there a way to effectively clean (make clear) the plastic barrier to the speedo and the clock/tach?

Having not taken the dash pod out, can this supposed-to-be-clear plastic "window" be replaced, or is there someone who sells nice used replacements?
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Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI

[Steve M.]

What about the kit to restore UV faded plastic headlights? Found in your local auto parts stroe.
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[hopkin]

I don't what your speedo looks like so I don't know if this comment is helpful to you, but I was able to replace the (plexi)-glass in my speedo on my Beetle.

The glass was flat, so it was easy to have a new one cut. The speedo was easy to remove and disassemble to do this.

I don't think the material used for the plexiglass was the same as the headlight material, that is to say it appeared to be foggy throughout, not just on the surface, so I don't think the headlight lens cleaner would have worked. That may be true in your case, if possible I would test it or maybe someone else has tried and can post.

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1972 914 (past)
1991 Honda Civic (Original Owner)
1996 'Open Air' Mexican Beetle (current)
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2017 Dune Edition (daughter's car)

[DanHoug]

try wiping it with Armour All or any dash plastic shiner and see what that does. if there's dust on the inside, it's got to come apart of course.
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[djkeev]

One of my clusters was hazy around the edges......

I thought "huh! The plastic is old and hazy!"
I motored on looking out the Windshield.

That old dash cluster is somewhat fragile, proceed carefully with well intentioned repairs!
My mindset was that everything is working! I'm NOT touching it!

Dave
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[oasis]

Thanks for the responses!

I will be replacing the speedo/odo. I will be ordering a new cable as well. I will be adding a clock to the empty right side (not counting temp and fuel gauges). The plastic "dome" (not sure what to call it as it's more rectangular than circular) needs replacing, too. I'm going to add LED lights.

I will try the cleaner method first unless something else falls into my lap. The plastic is rectangular but it also has a subtle concave-like curvature, top to bottom (unlike the Beetle or Thing).

Everything about this seems somewhat fragile, and I don't know how far one can go in breaking it all down to subcomponents. If the plastic is replaceable, that would be an easier route.

I'd like to get everything done all at once so there isn't a lot of disassembly and reassembly going on. I'm okay with paying someone who has had experience rather than trying to clunk through in a trial and error manner.
_________________
Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI

[valvecovergasket]

the plastic is bonded in and i think youd be hard pressed to replace anything
that said the whole thing isnt sealed all that well and odds are its just dirty.

here are a couple pictures of the setup during a gauge project, i didnt take too many good "before" ones but you can at least see how it comes apart.
its pretty easy to dissect just be careful with the plastic foil, probably a good time to replace it if it looks at all suspect.
getting it to this point is just a matter of a handful of philips screws and some careful removable of the foil. its not rocket science, if youre worried youll forget how it goes back together just take a bunch of pictures along the way...

you can see the plastic on the left hand here

and where it used to be the mounting edges are visible here (i had to break it out in pieces, theres no way your removing it cleanly to replace it)

but getting back there to clean it off is a good step. both of the cluster surrounds (my original and the cleaner one i bought to work with) were pretty dirty back there

[oasis]

Thanks!

If it is just dirty, it's dirty on the inside of the plastic. I used the same wipes I use for my eyeglasses trying to clean the outside.

The plastic being bonded in is no surprise, but I appreciate the confirmation. I will do my due diligence when the weather gets a little warmer (unless I have all of my desired parts gathered ahead of that ... then, I'll just let a professional take over).
_________________
Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI

[plummerdesign]

This is a rather easy item to accomplish.
And you will not have to disassemble.
.
Lift off the instrument pod cover. Take out the semi-clear plastic protector.
Set these aside.
Get yourself some Q-tips and some plastic-friendly cleaner.
OK.
On top of the speedometer and Clock/Tach sections are the foil ribbons that connect to the dash lights. The lamps are twist in/out. Twist them out with CARE and set them aside. The key is to not harm the blue foil (if it has not been converted to ClusterMaster).
The blue foil connects to the white plastic clips that serve as light baffles.
.
These white plastic clips release and slip out of their slots. Again, it's old plastic so be careful. CAREFULLY move them aside with the blue foil just a little.
.
GOLDEN!
.
Now you will have an ACCESS PORTAL to clean the area which is foggy, dirty and needing Q-tips dipped in cleaner.
If you are savvy, a very small wipe (like an eyeglass wipe) can be poked into that opening to make cleaning easier. To do this you will also have a way to pull the wipe back out : )
.
This procedure works well.
Replace everything with the same CARE as when you removed it.
.
Jeffery
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It is old and green and it makes me grin.
1984 Westfalia 1.9

[oasis]

Thanks! I will give it a try when it warms a little.
_________________
Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI