I've not noticed anything like this: mysterious spots appearing on the instrument panel bezel? The Toyota Prius came with a problem. Toyota says it is not a safety issue not every driver agrees - Story | abcactionnews.com | Tampa Bay News, Weather, Sports, Things To Do | WFTS-TV
It's a combination of the "mold release" compound and "outgassing" of the compounds used the materials that make up the combination meter including solder flux, plastisizers, and cleaning materials. The fingerprint is most likely from the glove that the assembly worker handling the lens left during assembly. The outgases "fume" onto the print in a similar way that forensic crime lab examiners "fume" superglue onto objects to enhance and to lock in fingerprint images. I remembr the early days of solar panels in the 1980's on which I did research. Certain plastics "outgassed" a film that coated the panel cover, fogged and degraded performance with age.
'the strange spots might be gone, but she is still worried about her health'. she should be concerned with her mental health.
I have to think whatever it is, it's a pretty rare phenomenon or we'd be hearing a LOT more about it within Prius Chat, and while I can remember a few posts over the years about what appears to be mold and/or fogging of the instrument panel, it's not a very common occurrence. I'd be curious to follow the build path backwards, as to exactly where the parts (what vendor) provided the panel and I'd be curious as to if there is any correlation between this phenomena happening and the environment the car ends up in. This obviously IS happening, to at least a number of Toyota Prius owners, but I have to laugh at the low hushed tones of the announcers narrating the report, as if this fogging of the instrument panel makes Prius into some type of Zombie plague carriers. Toyota's NOT denying it's happening. So good for us.
i remember a few posts too. did a quick search: Fungus (!!!) growing inside dashboard glass | PriusChat
Yep, I remember that thread. In fact I commented within it. Might be a similar scenario. Would still say the actual happening is relatively rare given the total number of operating Prius.
Ditto. And it should be noted that Toyota STILL hasn't seen fit to remediate the problem. I have the "fungus" myself and it makes the display look crappy.
ABC shows their Prius ignorance and confuses people by showing footage of a 2004-2005 Salsa red gen2 Prius. Really...couldn't find any current gen3 media? Also the woman car is a Prius V not a regular Prius.