Help is needed please. While vacuuming my beloved Prius, I turned around with it and it accidentally scratched my MFD unit. A horizontal scratch line that runs the length of the display about 25% up from the bottom. I could not believe it. I was right down the road from where I purchased my car, so I went to the dealer for help. Their response was basically sorry but there is nothing that can be done, short of replacing the MFD unit for 4,500.00 or maybe a little more. Yes, I can live with that scratch, but my car was pristine and I want it to stay that way. My car is only 10 weeks old. That being said I am open to any ideas as far as home remedies, dealer or corporate ideas etc. Anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks in advance for your help.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(even4steven @ Sep 9 2006, 05:36 AM) [snapback]316895[/snapback]</div> Ouch, I feel for you. There was talk on the forum a while back about screen protectors that simply stick on. I wonder if putting one of those over your MFD screen would make the scratch less visible. With that on there, you won't have light reflecting off the edges of the scratch as much, which is part of what makes it more visible to the human eye. Just a guess.
Depending upon how important (read-how much you're willing to spend) it is to keep it 'pristine' you've got a couple options. Ask your dealer about a refurbished MFD...they should be more like $500. Check E-bay and local salvage yards. Since there are more Prii on the road these days more and more are in accidents. The MFD is usually not damaged. If you can pick up a salvage display for a couple hundred dollars you can either try to replace it yourself, ask a local car stereo installer to do it or ask your dealer to do it. Salvage/Ebay is most certainly going to be your least expensive option.
Does this type of scratch remover work (or at least some improvement)? Screen repair below: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Disc-Doctor --
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wan @ Sep 9 2006, 09:49 AM) [snapback]316928[/snapback]</div> Thank you. I Looked. Sounds promising but I not sure. Has anybody here used this before? <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 9 2006, 09:02 AM) [snapback]316911[/snapback]</div> Thanks for the idea. Since the car is almost brand new and I have an extended bumper to bumper warranty up to 100k, I would be worried about voiding the warranty by doing this. I am not really sure how that works, but I now have to find out. Thanks again.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(even4steven @ Sep 9 2006, 08:58 AM) [snapback]316930[/snapback]</div> I haven't, but it looks like all of the screens they say it works for, including DVDs are all glossy screens. I would be sure it is ok to use on the matte screen of the MFD. Good luck!!
If the scratch isn't deep (you can't feel it when you run your finger or nail over it) plastic polish may remove it. Be aware if the screen has antireflection coatings the polish will remove that too. If the scratch can be felt, you will not remove it with any polishing product. It's possible to hide it with a coating, such as a very soft plastic or perhaps a clear wax. I've applied silicone oil to plastic to hide scratches with success, but you have to keep using it (cleaning off when it gets dirty and re-coat). I'd talk to an auto-detailer about it. They know all the tricks about what they can get away with without doing more damage.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wan @ Sep 9 2006, 08:49 AM) [snapback]316928[/snapback]</div> I would be very cautious about using any scratch remover on the screen... All of the screens from the link are your basic glossy plastic type screens, not much to them. The Prius screen, however, has more in common with a typical flat panel monitor screen than those. In addition, it's a touch sensitive screen. applying any chemicals ot performing any "maintainance" on it with something like that may damage this feature, leaving you with a large area that won't respond to touch. I'm in no way an expert on these things, but it seems to me that i wouldn't want to risk making things worse.
I have an Ebay screen protector and am very happy with it. I suggest you buy one and see if it hides the scratch enough to solve your problem. From memory it was only a few dollars and if nothing else would protect you from future scratches.
