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BMW M2 Forum > BMW M2 Competition Model > Best way to safely clean the instrument cluster and the idrive display screen?

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      09-27-2019, 08:11 PM   #23
silvercas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewc89 View Post
That's for the navi screen, not the instrument cluster
here is a start https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3303...663e4237f4fe-2
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      09-27-2019, 08:38 PM   #24
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The iDrive screen is pretty sturdy since it's a touch screen.

the gauge cluster I just use compressed air from an air compressor. just looking at that thing will scratch it.
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      09-27-2019, 08:44 PM   #25
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Man, am I glad I found this thread, I usually wipe over my screens a bit here and there with a MF, but not in this car, it'll only be air!
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      09-28-2019, 07:55 AM   #26
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I posted the following in a similar thread...

“I have followed this thread since before I got my M2C.

There were no marks on the gauges when I took delivery.

Several weeks later, while detailing my car, I noticed dried droplets of some kind on the gauges.

Very carefully, I used a brand new, soft microfiber cloth (damp with water only) to very gently wipe the foreign substance off the gauge surface.

I held my breath and used no pressure from my hand.

Just the weight of the microfiber cloth brushed the gauge surface clean.

I then used another brand new dry microfiber cloth to gently touch the gauge surface dry.

Luckily, no damage was done.

Whew.

I hope I don’t have to do it again.”

I used brand new microfiber cloths with no washing detergent residue, in case this was an issue.

I very lightly brushed the gauge surfaces with the cloth.

It worked, with no scratches. Your mileage may vary.

Also, I wonder if the gauge supplier changed the gauge surface coating at some point.
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      09-29-2019, 08:15 PM   #27
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I have always used a nice microfiber along with 1Z Cockpit Premium. Works great. I use it for all my laptop screens also.
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      09-30-2019, 02:06 AM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by P1et View Post
I have always used a nice microfiber along with 1Z Cockpit Premium. Works great. I use it for all my laptop screens also.
I have no issue with laptop screens, even anti-reflective ones, they seem pretty robust.

Whatever BMW have put on these instrument clusters is unlike any other coating i've come across.

It's almost like a soft coating.
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      09-30-2019, 07:56 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doughboy View Post
I have no issue with laptop screens, even anti-reflective ones, they seem pretty robust.

Whatever BMW have put on these instrument clusters is unlike any other coating i've come across.

It's almost like a soft coating.
I have two 2015s and one 2016. The X5 and the GT have a "layer" on top of the screens that would make it tough to scratch. My wife's 6-series looks glossy, and that's the one I need to be careful with.

Wonder if it's different depending on model an year?
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      09-30-2019, 08:42 AM   #30
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I had a 2016 m6 with the glossy dials, no trouble at all. Bombproof.

It's these "black out" dials that go blank without the back lighting on that seem to be easily scratched.
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      09-30-2019, 09:04 AM   #31
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M2 Competition Cluster scratched? https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1592483

I have a solution if you dun mind it gives extra glare from a ppf
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      10-13-2019, 04:13 AM   #32
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Mines fooked. This is from soft microfibre cloths.

You can only see it in low sun from behind, but Autumn is bad for that

I drive screen is bomb proof, glass, no problems.
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      10-15-2019, 07:30 AM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Megator View Post
I had some smudges on my cluster and cleaned them off without issue. (I think have not yet seen the cluster in strong sunlight but I could not see anything when i flashed my cellphone flashlight on the cluster)

1) Dust the cluster and general area with one of these

https://www.carclean.com/nl/dodo-jui...ol-duster.html

2) Clean the cluster with a brand new one of these and your quick detailer of choice. Use a lot of product on the smudges and gently wipe away the excess.

https://www.carclean.com/nl/gyeon-qm...e-40x40cm.html
Just want to say that this worked 100% for me to even clean smudges on the cluster and buff out the excess quick detailer. Just fold the baldwipe a bit so it springs and limites the amount of pressure you can apply.
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      10-22-2019, 03:00 PM   #34
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Somewhat easy fix---just take some really light tint film and put it over your instrument cluster. No more scratches and it give your instruments that "blacked out" look. If you stay with really light tint, it will still show the gauges just fine and the backlighting will still be more than bright enough at night.
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      10-22-2019, 03:14 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RocketTR View Post
Somewhat easy fix---just take some really light tint film and put it over your instrument cluster. No more scratches and it give your instruments that "blacked out" look. If you stay with really light tint, it will still show the gauges just fine and the backlighting will still be more than bright enough at night.
Not quite sure how you would cut the film to fit.

As it's not a traditional wide flat gauge cover / screen but rather awkward shapes and raised areas.
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      10-22-2019, 05:07 PM   #36
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Well, I had a good run. Unfortunately I had dropped off my car with my detailer and forgot to tell him to skip the gauge cluster. There are now small scratches on it. Not going to bother pursuing it further as there was no way he could have known that simply looking at it could cause damage.
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      10-22-2019, 07:28 PM   #37
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Welp. The day has come. I sneezed and this one time forgot to point my face down and now I have some marks on my screen. The question is do I chance cleaning with a soft and damp microfiber or live with a couple small dots on my cluster lol
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      10-22-2019, 09:30 PM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2 View Post
Welp. The day has come. I sneezed and this one time forgot to point my face down and now I have some marks on my screen. The question is do I chance cleaning with a soft and damp microfiber or live with a couple small dots on my cluster lol
Live with the dots.. it's not worth it man lol
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      10-22-2019, 09:37 PM   #39
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2 View Post
Welp. The day has come. I sneezed and this one time forgot to point my face down and now I have some marks on my screen. The question is do I chance cleaning with a soft and damp microfiber or live with a couple small dots on my cluster lol
Live with the dots.. it's not worth it man lol
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      10-22-2019, 10:28 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2 View Post
Welp. The day has come. I sneezed and this one time forgot to point my face down and now I have some marks on my screen. The question is do I chance cleaning with a soft and damp microfiber or live with a couple small dots on my cluster lol
I would try to find something that isn't microfiber. Most microfiber towels can cause microscratches on soft surfaces. The towels are finely-split plastics and the micro-split ends can be hard/sharp on cheaper towels or become that way after too much heat in the dryer.

Try a CD-R or DVD-R or something and see if you can apply pressure without marring it. If you can do that, then I might try it on the cluster gently.
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      10-22-2019, 10:35 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris719 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2 View Post
Welp. The day has come. I sneezed and this one time forgot to point my face down and now I have some marks on my screen. The question is do I chance cleaning with a soft and damp microfiber or live with a couple small dots on my cluster lol
I would try to find something that isn't microfiber. Most microfiber towels can cause microscratches on soft surfaces. The towels are finely-split plastics and the micro-split ends can be hard/sharp on cheaper towels or become that way after too much heat in the dryer.

Try a CD-R or DVD-R or something and see if you can apply pressure without marring it. If you can do that, then I might try it on the cluster gently.
Can you clarify? What do you mean by try and CD-R or DVD-R?
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      10-22-2019, 10:41 PM   #42
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Can one simply purchase a new cover for the instrument cluster? I did this with another vehicle I owned.
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      10-22-2019, 11:28 PM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2 View Post
Can you clarify? What do you mean by try and CD-R or DVD-R?
Sorry, I mean test your cleaning cloth of choice on the underside of CD-R or DVD-R to see if it causes any marring. They are very soft.
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      10-23-2019, 05:17 AM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doughboy View Post
Mines fooked. This is from soft microfibre cloths.

You can only see it in low sun from behind, but Autumn is bad for that

I drive screen is bomb proof, glass, no problems.
Dang that sucks.
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