Backup camera cover

I live in the mtns with snow, mud etc.
It's annoying that Toyota didn't think this one thru.

It gets dirty fast and then worthless

 

I got into the habit of wiping my finger on the camera lens before getting into the car. Learned this on previous vehicles.

 

Toyota recommends against doing that as it scratches the lense.I'm guessing the previous owner of my 2017 Prime did that because my lense is scratched. I was able to remove most of the scratches using
Meguiar's ScratchX as these before (second picture) and after pictures show.



I have a small 3" spray bottle filled with washer fluid and a microfiber cloth that I keep in the car to clean the lense when it gets too dirty (happens mostly in the winter). That bottle is filled with a water less wash solution in the summer to clean bird droppings from the car when not at home.

 

Yes, a retractable cover would work nicely and be preferred (even a wiper fluid jet would do a good job on a ceramic coated lense). I was replying about wiping the lense dry, which should not be done.

 

Agreed that wiping it when dry will scratch the lens cover. Fortunately, the weather here is always rainy and wet when I wipe the lens.

 

Yep ,moisten your index finger with saliva will do

 

Is ceramic coat safe on the lens? I know so many products have so many different "don't use on plastic/glass/electronics/etc" warnings I didn't think about it.

I just have a small bottle of quick detailer and a microfibre in the trunk for general touch ups and to wipe the thing off

 

I meant something applied at the factory to go in hand with the factory installed washer. Otherwise, droplets left on the lense would make viewing the camera worse.

Yeah, quick detailer and waterless wash are basically the same. I use Turtle Wax Hybrid Solution 3-in-1 Quick Detailer in a small spray bottle. It's basically a waterless wash, to be used on dusty car, not dirty but works well for removing dirty spots like bird droppings (that hasn't baked for days).

 

Ok yeah then we're of the same thinking.

The top trim does have a washer fluid sprayer on the Prius prime but like... The number of practical things I wanted vs number of less practical nice to haves was high and 10,000$ is a lot of money when you're financing.

Maybe when my family is older we can have different priorities but with little kids... I'm ok with a cloth to wipe off with.

Though if this thing Paul is working on is a relatively easy DIY project, I'd be happy to try and follow along and do it myself later. I've a friend with a 3D printer who could help me out if the designs are posted up for free in the end.