Scratched plastic speedometer cover

I tried to search for it on here http://www.toyotapartscheap.com/ but I havnt found anything yet. You might want to try to look yourself.

 

Check this place out: https://www.1sttoyotaparts.com/partscat.html

I think whay you are referring to is called "lens" under instrument panel components, and costs $49.98. The upper part that shows the driver the speedo is called a "reflector" elsewhere on this site. Someone else on PC was just talking about having water spots under the lens and to remove the lens to clean the underside would require removing the dash. If the scratch isn't too deep I would try to find a scratch removal product that might work. Or ask at a auto glass shop. I don't know if the lens is glass or acrylic but $50 seems like a lot to me. Good luck.

I did see the lens on the other site mentioned by theforce, but it is $55 there.

 

I know what part you are talking about. In the maint manual, the way I see it anyway, the upper piece that I see from the drivers seat is called the "combination meter reflector", and it is not a lens. Sorry I can't be of help. Maybe try this place for a part: http://www.autobeyours.com/PriusParts.htm

Be sure to keep us updated. I will go through what manuals I have to see if I can find more.

 

BTW, welcome to PC. I haven't been here long myself and have learned a lot from ohers here. Hopefully someone will add to this thread what you need.

 

Although I haven't tried this product on the part in question, I have used it on a LOT of clear plastic parts and it has never failed me. You're not going to believe me on this but the removing scratches in plastic is listed on the product label; Brass-O and a soft cloth! I've used it on the cheap plastic "crystal" on watches, telephones, etc. and it has always worked.

A note of caution - if the plastic has a color, ensure that the color is an impregnated color and not a sprayed-on color first or it will remove the color from the surface. Also, be sure to use a "SOFT" cloth and use light circular motions.

Hope this helps!

Tim

 

Could it be that this cover is part of the projector box/LCD and the whole thing may need replaced? Just an idea. I cant find that part number either.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theforce @ Sep 15 2006, 02:04 PM) [snapback]320203[/snapback]</div>

I suspect that your supposition might be true. So many times complicated assemblies such as that might only come as a unit. The only other POSSIBILITY is that the lens at issue is part of the "smoke acrylic plate" assembly and therefore, hopefully, a cheaper replacement that I'm guessing the virtual display box would be.

In any case, if the lens IS removable/replaceable but Toyota cannot come up with a part number, and if the owner should decide to have an acrylic one made by a third-party source, be aware that not all acrylics can stand up to the intense summer heat and would likely distort, discolor, or otherwise fog over.

There is a good diagram of the assembly combination on page BE-20 of the Toyota Prius Tech File manual. Unfortunately it doesn't outline component part numbers.

Barring all else, salvage yards might be your next source.

Good luck!

 

The idea of taking the dashboard apart is way to scary but I have the same issue with a scratch. Has anyone tried polish like the person suggesting Brasso? I dont want to try anything untested for fear of making my scratch worse.

 

You can buy plastic polish at your local auto parts store. This also works well when the headlamp clear plastic covers start to fog up due to sun exposure.

 

This is a trick I use when polishing watch crystals...

First off, you need to admit this to yourself. You can't remove scratches from plastic. Period. You can only remove the plastic surrounding the scratch, so that it appears smooth. Consequently, the easiest thing to do is to reduce the thickness of the plastic piece, entirely.

To do this, you use a piece of sandpaper (very fine...get the super-high grit stuff used for body work) and literally sand down the surface. To keep it flat, use spray adhesive to attach the sandpaper to a piece of glass...this makes a sanding block. Then, move the plastic across the sandpaper...not the other way around.

Work till the scratch is removed/blended. Then, with successively finer grits, keep sanding till the scratches from the previous grit are removed. Finally, the plastic will be "smoky" but not obviously scratched. At this point use the Brasso, to polish the surface flat and smooth.

It doesn't thin the plastic as much as you'd think, and the results are often quite good. But,as it's rather aggressive, use this technique only as a last resort.

Hope this helps.

 

So isn't this the "Combination Meter Reflector No. 1", p/n 83857-47100 that I saw on-line for about 60$ ? Did you get to buy a new one?

I have a problem similar to yours. I am glad I found your post.
Something similar was described here:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ctor-combination-lens-dash-board-display.html

Thanks!

 

Brasso has been around in the UK for over 100years. It was made as a metal polish for brass and copper but works very well on plastics. It will remove even fairly deep scratches and is also very good for removing marks and scratches on car paintwork or as a cutting compound to flatten and polish new paint.

Brasso comes in two forms, liquid cream (the best) or in a wadding (not so good).