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      07-04-2019, 08:27 PM   #1
aerokubectl
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Ugh how do we remove scratches from the gauge cluster?

I was cleaning it with a microfiber towel and it's all scratched up. Irk what material this is but sigh...

Anyone experience this?
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      07-04-2019, 08:31 PM   #2
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From the cosmetic maintenance subform, where this will likely be towed:

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1483239
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      07-04-2019, 08:51 PM   #3
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This might help:

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1611249

It's almost like the gauge cluster can scratch itself.
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      07-04-2019, 09:27 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ContactPatch View Post
This might help:

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1611249

It's almost like the gauge cluster can scratch itself.
Yess!!! I've never had one of these microfiber towels or one of my high end brushes even remotely scratch anything...until I looked at this thing.
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      07-04-2019, 09:35 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spetsnazos View Post
Yess!!! I've never had one of these microfiber towels or one of my high end brushes even remotely scratch anything...until I looked at this thing.
Caution, don't "look" at cluster too long, your "eyes" will scratch it!
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      07-05-2019, 06:31 AM   #6
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No big deal. It will polish out just as easy. Any plastic polish for eyeglasses will work. I like this used for my helmet shields. Lesson here is your microfiber was contaminated. Always buy high quality microfiber towels and have lots of them so you can rotate them .

https://www.amazon.com/Novus-7100-Pl...16222542&psc=1

Here are some of the microfiber towels I recommend at my detailing classes. Separate two different colors for inside and outside uses. Both can be used for either but your waxing and polishing will get a lot more contaminated and harder to wash perfectly clean.

Inside white microfiber towels
https://www.autogeek.net/mf-white-12.html

Outside and paint polishing microfiber towels.
https://www.autogeek.net/storm-gray-12pack.html
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      07-05-2019, 06:45 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MystroX5 View Post
No big deal. It will polish out just as easy. Any plastic polish for eyeglasses will work. I like this used for my helmet shields. Lesson here is your microfiber was contaminated. Always buy high quality microfiber towels and have lots of them so you can rotate them .

https://www.amazon.com/Novus-7100-Pl...2542&psc=1

Here are some of the microfiber towels I recommend at my detailing classes. Separate two different colors for inside and outside uses. Both can be used for either but your waxing and polishing will get a lot more contaminated and harder to wash perfectly clean.

Inside white microfiber towels
https://www.autogeek.net/mf-white-12.html

Outside and paint polishing microfiber towels.
https://www.autogeek.net/storm-gray-12pack.html
I'd caution doing that, these are coated and likely will make worse. Terrible design on the plastic. Actually as nice as they look they are super fragile. I think the pre LCI gauges weren't as nice but more standard fare for cleaning.
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      07-05-2019, 07:49 AM   #8
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From what I have found out, LCI (2018+) gauge clusters on M2s are easily scratched and can not be polished. It is almost like a matte finish on an LCD monitor. The only fix is a replacement cluster.
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      07-05-2019, 07:54 AM   #9
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There should be a sticky thread with bold all-caps text for the LCI cluster. It seems too many people that aren't familiar with it think you can clean it like other clusters which isn't the case. You should never come in contact with it ever if you can and just blow the dust off with a can of compressed duster. Once you scratch it you are kind of screwed as it's a thinly coated membrane that doesn't have layers to polish off like clear plastic. I would like to see before and after success stories of polishing out scratches on these before trying it yourself as I just don't see how it can be done even with a mild polish and the greatest MF towel in existence.
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      07-05-2019, 08:44 AM   #10
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All you would do is remove the soft outer AR coating by polishing it. We do it all the time in the watch world. Keep in mind you would only do this if the scratches were deep enough. Micro scratches are a trade off with having a outer AR coating so you have to consider what is the most important. I have not had any issues with lightly dusting the gauge cluster in the new X5.
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      07-05-2019, 09:08 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MystroX5 View Post
All you would do is remove the soft outer AR coating by polishing it. We do it all the time in the watch world. Keep in mind you would only do this if the scratches were deep enough. Micro scratches are a trade off with having a outer AR coating so you have to consider what is the most important. I have not had any issues with lightly dusting the gauge cluster in the new X5.
It's not that I don't believe you but it's something I would rather see someone else tackle on their own car prior to trying out myself as the film on the LCI display is unlike any other LCD I have seen and it's not the same as the new digital clusters BMW is using on the 3 Series, X5, etc. that is similar to LCD's in other cars.
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      07-05-2019, 09:41 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heavyD^2 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by MystroX5 View Post
All you would do is remove the soft outer AR coating by polishing it. We do it all the time in the watch world. Keep in mind you would only do this if the scratches were deep enough. Micro scratches are a trade off with having a outer AR coating so you have to consider what is the most important. I have not had any issues with lightly dusting the gauge cluster in the new X5.
It's not that I don't believe you but it's something I would rather see someone else tackle on their own car prior to trying out myself as the film on the LCI display is unlike any other LCD I have seen and it's not the same as the new digital clusters BMW is using on the 3 Series, X5, etc. that is similar to LCD's in other cars.
The anti-reflective coating looks like a matte version of what is used in optical lenses. Removing it evenly by polishing it would be nearly impossible. I totally agree with you that this issue should be a sticky for every new M2 LCI+ owners. Do not physically touch the gauge cluster with anything. Just use a blower to blow off dust. Do not let the dealership service guys to leave the car keys in front of the gauge (happened to me on old my 428i). Do not take the car to a carwash where employees could swipe the gauge cluster with a dirty rag.
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      07-05-2019, 09:53 AM   #13
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Once the scratches are there you aren't going to be able to remove them easily.

I'm working on a screen protector prototype to cover the entire cluster. Pretty sure there's a market for one, given how many people scratch theirs. Hope to have the first production run in August or September. It'll essentially be a 5 piece set to cover the main face, the speedo/tach, and the half moon pieces below the them.

I'm slightly concerned with the adhesive used in the back of the protector might make it impossible to remove. But given that it will be made out of gorilla glass, I really don't think it's too much of an issue.

EDIT: on mine, the scratches are only visible under certain glare conditions. So my hope is covering them with the protector will mostly hide them.
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      07-05-2019, 12:32 PM   #14
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I would ask your dealer just for fun and see what they say. There has to be a BMW recommended maintenance product they recommend. It might be worth exploring a official recommendation.
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      07-05-2019, 08:36 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MystroX5 View Post
I would ask your dealer just for fun and see what they say. There has to be a BMW recommended maintenance product they recommend. It might be worth exploring a official recommendation.
as others have mentioned - a single swipe w/ your best microfiber results in scratches - maybe dealer would replace - if done before install, a protection film could be a solution.

I like the exposed design but cleaning is a nightmare.
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      07-08-2019, 05:51 AM   #16
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I must be lucky, have cleaned my LCI gauge cluster every couple of months or so since delivery Sept 17 and absolutely no scratches (I've checked under both direct sunlight & LED torch). I use 2 micro fibre clothes, the 1st very damp I wipe the plastic surface then use a dry one to dry. With both I hold them scrunched up and apply no pressure, just the folds of the cloth making contact. Admit I'm ocd and since reading of the problems a long while back I've been extra cautious. If you have a scratch free cluster now it can be cleaned and maintained scratch free
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      07-09-2019, 02:56 AM   #17
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I’d just by a new M2 to replace it.
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      07-11-2019, 10:42 AM   #18
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I may very well be imagining things but it seems to me that the scratches are not really scratches in that they are not permanent. I use Nextzett / einszett cockpit premium and a very soft microfiber towel and I seem to have very few of these "scratches" left. I have a few but they do not seem to accumulate like they should have if the surface was indeed as delicate as I feared. Anyone else feel this way ? I may just be bananas
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      07-12-2019, 09:29 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RacletteMan View Post
I may very well be imagining things but it seems to me that the scratches are not really scratches in that they are not permanent. I use Nextzett / einszett cockpit premium and a very soft microfiber towel and I seem to have very few of these "scratches" left. I have a few but they do not seem to accumulate like they should have if the surface was indeed as delicate as I feared. Anyone else feel this way ? I may just be bananas
I have some of this stuff from a DD mystery box. I'm hesitant to try it though.
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      07-15-2019, 04:32 AM   #20
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Still no final answer how to remove them? Uhmm.... It annoys me but I am not gonna deal with it until I have a better insight into what a decent solution would be.

MR
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      07-15-2019, 11:11 AM   #21
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Still no final answer how to remove them? Uhmm.... It annoys me but I am not gonna deal with it until I have a better insight into what a decent solution would be.

MR
Ditto living with the scratches till someone provides a good solution.
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      07-25-2019, 06:45 PM   #22
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Quick question - is the infotainment screen the same, or is that okay with being cleaned with a good microfiber towel?

I can't imagine it being as fragile as the cluster seeing how it's a touchscreen and some people will use it?

And thanks for the heads up on this guys - guess I'll be cleaning using the can duster/cell phone plastic sticky method.
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