BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
M2 Technical Topics > Cosmetic Maintenance (Wash/Wax/Detailing/Exterior Restoration & Repairs) > Novus Plastic Polish on LCI Cluster?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-18-2019, 08:33 PM   #1
gphung
First Lieutenant
Canada
194
Rep
309
Posts

Drives: 2018 M2 LBB - 6MT
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW M2  [0.00]
Novus Plastic Polish on LCI Cluster?

First time creating a thread on bimmerpost, sorry in advance if it's in the wrong place .

I searched throughout the various subforums (M3/M4, 3 series, etc) regarding micro scratches on the instrument cluster, and many have reported success with Novus plastic polish, particularly #1 and even #2 in some cases. However, I feel like the LCI cluster in the M2 and M2C use a different material compared to your standard cluster with the plastic "shield" looking cover which I suspect is what everyone who reported success was dealing with. The LCI cluster is not exactly glossy and smooth to the touch; it's rather matte and porous IIRC.

Has anyone used Novus plastic polish (or something else with success for that matter) on their M2 LCI cluster?

I purchased the Novus already and will definitely use it on the gloss black trim around the HVAC. But I have my doubts with the LCI cluster.

Thanks!

For reference, here's one of the M2 threads where people have talked a bit about it, but I'm not sure if anyone there has actually tried it for themselves:
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1483239

3 series thread but AFAICT, they have that glossy smooth cover overtop of gauges that most clusters have:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1074263

M5:
https://f10.m5post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=novus
Appreciate 1
pattymtb136.50
      06-18-2019, 10:55 PM   #2
pz619
Brigadier General
3276
Rep
3,254
Posts

Drives: F87 M2C 6MT, Tesla 3
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (1)

The problem is the M2 screen is kind of textured, as you mentioned. I personally wouldn’t use any sort of polish. I suspect it’ll either get glossy at minimum or at worse wouldn’t be uniform. I’m personally not brave enough to try it on my car. Godspeed to any who try.
Appreciate 2
gphung193.50
      06-19-2019, 12:49 PM   #3
kfscoll
Second Lieutenant
kfscoll's Avatar
United_States
209
Rep
212
Posts

Drives: ‘18 MG M2 6MT, ‘15 MW X3 35i
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Cincinnati, OH

iTrader: (0)

That polish is waaaay too aggressive for either the LCI display or the piano black HVAC surround, especially if you try to use it by hand. You're going to shred your gauges and get nothing but micro scratches on your HVAC surround if you use that stuff. Better to remove the surround and machine polish it (with an orbital) and some very fine compound like Menzerna 4000. Just leave the gauges alone and if they get dirty blow them off with compressed air or, at most, lightly wipe them with the fluffiest microfiber towel you can find.

There's nothing you can successfully polish the gauges with. They have a matte texture/coating on them - hand polishing will scratch them all to hell and machine polishing will make them shiny and illegible in daylight. Either way you'll get to buy a new gauge cluster for $1K.

I've had luck polishing the piano black surround in my wife's X3 with a 1" pad on a Flex rotary polisher but honestly it's quite a PITA if you don't remove the trim first. If you leave it installed, don't mask properly, and are otherwise not careful the compound slings everywhere and it's hard to clean up.

Heed my words - don't polish glossy plastic by hand! You'll be sorry you tried! Either just buy a new HVAC trim piece, remove and machine polish it, or leave it alone.
Appreciate 1
gphung193.50
      06-19-2019, 01:32 PM   #4
heavyD^2
Colonel
heavyD^2's Avatar
Canada
3684
Rep
2,955
Posts

Drives: X3M Competition
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Too close to Santa

iTrader: (0)

At all costs you try to avoid anything coming into contact with the LCI cluster. It doesn't matter if it's the most gentle microfiber cloth or what lubricant you use. It will scratch. If your display has scratches (many of us got them right on delivery) just live with them as trying to fix them will make it worse. Use a compressed duster if you want to clear dust build up but nothing should ever come in contact with the cluster film as it's quite possibly the most delicate surface known to man.
Appreciate 2
gphung193.50
natmad667.00
      06-19-2019, 09:54 PM   #5
gphung
First Lieutenant
Canada
194
Rep
309
Posts

Drives: 2018 M2 LBB - 6MT
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW M2  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by kfscoll View Post
That polish is waaaay too aggressive for either the LCI display or the piano black HVAC surround, especially if you try to use it by hand. You're going to shred your gauges and get nothing but micro scratches on your HVAC surround if you use that stuff. Better to remove the surround and machine polish it (with an orbital) and some very fine compound like Menzerna 4000. Just leave the gauges alone and if they get dirty blow them off with compressed air or, at most, lightly wipe them with the fluffiest microfiber towel you can find.

There's nothing you can successfully polish the gauges with. They have a matte texture/coating on them - hand polishing will scratch them all to hell and machine polishing will make them shiny and illegible in daylight. Either way you'll get to buy a new gauge cluster for $1K.

I've had luck polishing the piano black surround in my wife's X3 with a 1" pad on a Flex rotary polisher but honestly it's quite a PITA if you don't remove the trim first. If you leave it installed, don't mask properly, and are otherwise not careful the compound slings everywhere and it's hard to clean up.

Heed my words - don't polish glossy plastic by hand! You'll be sorry you tried! Either just buy a new HVAC trim piece, remove and machine polish it, or leave it alone.
I'll take your advice and take the HVAC trim out before working on it. I have a Griots Garage DA polisher that I can put a small plate onto. You think even the Novus #1 plastic polish is too abrasive? It's more of a finishing polish than anything else as far as I know. I likely won't be doing anything to my cluster as yeah it's not smooth/glossy; just curious whether anything can be done with it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by heavyD^2 View Post
At all costs you try to avoid anything coming into contact with the LCI cluster. It doesn't matter if it's the most gentle microfiber cloth or what lubricant you use. It will scratch. If your display has scratches (many of us got them right on delivery) just live with them as trying to fix them will make it worse. Use a compressed duster if you want to clear dust build up but nothing should ever come in contact with the cluster film as it's quite possibly the most delicate surface known to man.
Thanks for the tip. I actually did scratch it using a MFT. I'll be using compressed air going forward, and well, haven't figured out what to use if I end up sneezing on it or something lol
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2019, 09:15 AM   #6
CTSean
First Lieutenant
323
Rep
392
Posts

Drives: LCI BSM MT M2
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: CT

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by gphung View Post

Thanks for the tip. I actually did scratch it using a MFT. I'll be using compressed air going forward, and well, haven't figured out what to use if I end up sneezing on it or something lol
You do what I do - cover your mouth as best as possible, and when you do get a spot on it, you live with it until someone invents a way to clean it without scratching it.
Appreciate 1
gphung193.50
      06-20-2019, 09:33 AM   #7
jwr0721
First Lieutenant
jwr0721's Avatar
United_States
178
Rep
308
Posts

Drives: 2010 135i 6MT
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Atlanta

iTrader: (0)

Omg I'm so glad I read this thread.

I'm not going to try to polish now.

But, at the same time, feel my pain — I took my car in to have it washed and TOLD the guy not to touch the LCD display ... and he did it anyway, and left it with horrible swirls.

FML.
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2019, 09:53 PM   #8
kfscoll
Second Lieutenant
kfscoll's Avatar
United_States
209
Rep
212
Posts

Drives: ‘18 MG M2 6MT, ‘15 MW X3 35i
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Cincinnati, OH

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by gphung View Post
I'll take your advice and take the HVAC trim out before working on it. I have a Griots Garage DA polisher that I can put a small plate onto. You think even the Novus #1 plastic polish is too abrasive? It's more of a finishing polish than anything else as far as I know. I likely won't be doing anything to my cluster as yeah it's not smooth/glossy; just curious whether anything can be done with it.
The #1 might be okay if you use your DA but it might leave a haze in which case you’ll have to follow it with a finer polish anyway. I’ve always had luck using super mild Menzerna polishes on plastic...it doesn’t take much aggressiveness to remove fine scratches in plastic.

I’ve very gently used these MF towels on my LCI cluster to remove water spots. I only have a few very minor scratches on my cluster that can only be seen under direct LED lighting so I’ve been lucky compared to others.
Appreciate 1
gphung193.50
      06-20-2019, 10:02 PM   #9
omasou
Colonel
omasou's Avatar
United_States
2080
Rep
2,999
Posts

Drives: BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: US

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2023 BMW S1000RR  [0.50]
2022 BMW F900XR  [3.00]
2022 BMW X6 40i  [0.50]
2020 BMW M2C  [9.50]
Would ceramic coating help?
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2019, 11:14 PM   #10
gphung
First Lieutenant
Canada
194
Rep
309
Posts

Drives: 2018 M2 LBB - 6MT
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW M2  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by kfscoll View Post
The #1 might be okay if you use your DA but it might leave a haze in which case you’ll have to follow it with a finer polish anyway. I’ve always had luck using super mild Menzerna polishes on plastic...it doesn’t take much aggressiveness to remove fine scratches in plastic.

I’ve very gently used these MF towels on my LCI cluster to remove water spots. I only have a few very minor scratches on my cluster that can only be seen under direct LED lighting so I’ve been lucky compared to others.
I guess it won't be the end of the world if the #1 leaves a hazy finish. I could pop the trim back in, order/find some of the Menzerna 4000, and finish it off with that afterwards if needed. I have the following Lake Country Hydro-Tech foam pads: blue, orange, and crimson (red). I'm thinking of maybe just using the red as that's meant for applying wax so it shouldn't be too rough for the plastic. If it doesn't work, I could go up to the orange. Definitely won't be using the blue.

Thanks for your help!
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2019, 11:36 AM   #11
kfscoll
Second Lieutenant
kfscoll's Avatar
United_States
209
Rep
212
Posts

Drives: ‘18 MG M2 6MT, ‘15 MW X3 35i
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Cincinnati, OH

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by omasou View Post
Would ceramic coating help?
No.
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2019, 11:40 AM   #12
kfscoll
Second Lieutenant
kfscoll's Avatar
United_States
209
Rep
212
Posts

Drives: ‘18 MG M2 6MT, ‘15 MW X3 35i
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Cincinnati, OH

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by gphung View Post
I guess it won't be the end of the world if the #1 leaves a hazy finish. I could pop the trim back in, order/find some of the Menzerna 4000, and finish it off with that afterwards if needed. I have the following Lake Country Hydro-Tech foam pads: blue, orange, and crimson (red). I'm thinking of maybe just using the red as that's meant for applying wax so it shouldn't be too rough for the plastic. If it doesn't work, I could go up to the orange. Definitely won't be using the blue.

Thanks for your help!
Yep, I'd do the same - start with the red and go to the orange if necessary. That might work just fine with the Novus #1.

You don't necessarily need a Menzerna polish if the Novus doesn't work out; those just happen to be the automotive polishes I have lying around so that's what I use. A gentle swirl remover or something a little finer plus your red (or a white) pad should work great also.
Appreciate 0
      07-25-2020, 02:11 AM   #13
sharpmoney
Private First Class
60
Rep
183
Posts

Drives: NA
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (0)

anyone end up doing this?
Appreciate 0
      08-27-2020, 08:01 PM   #14
acl26
Private
37
Rep
73
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW M2
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: North America

iTrader: (0)

Arrow

Used 1 to clean off but really only 2 removes the scratches.

Under most lighting the scratches are gone but in heavy glare situations you will notice that the matte finish is gone from where the buffing is done.

However, I rather have that then the scratches in your face most of the time.
Attached Images
    
Appreciate 4
gphung193.50
WagonR293.00
DadVibes1239.50
      02-13-2022, 02:57 PM   #15
DadVibes
Captain
DadVibes's Avatar
1240
Rep
610
Posts

Drives: F87 M2 CS
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Erie, CO

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Bumping this thread to see if anyone else has had success with Novus #1 & #2 on the M2C LCI cluster.

acl26's results look great. However, I'm curious if anyone can chime in with how bad the sun glare truly is with the matte finish removed.

As I posted in the other LCI scratch thread, my Speedo and Tac are so caked with micro scratches from the dealer that I can barely see through it when there’s sun glare anyway. Making me think it's worth the risk. However, if removing the coating makes the gauges truly unreadable with direct sun glare, I may just have to live with the scratches.
__________________
Current: F87 M2CS - 6MT | Öhlins R&T | Garagistic Endlinks | Autosolutions SSK | AA EL Midpipe & Axleback | 255/275 PS4S
Gone: F87 M2C - 6MT | Öhlins R&T | G.C. Camber Plates | Autosolutions SSK | UCP | AA EL Midpipe & Axleback | Apex EC-7 | 265/295 PS4S
Appreciate 0
      03-10-2022, 04:07 PM   #16
LLB-M2
Private
Germany
22
Rep
63
Posts

Drives: BMW M2 (N55)
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Europe

iTrader: (0)

Here is a guy who polish the hole cluster with a heavy polish. Now its glossy, but no scrathes. He also tried an additional windows (at the end of the tread).

https://www.2ertalk.de/threads/4647/page-9

My cluster has a few small scratches. Only use air to clean but if it will get worse i also will polish it glossy.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
cluster, instrument, lci, novus, scratch

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:07 AM.




m2
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST