instrument cluster black housing cleaning - mineral oil

[aSTerix]

I have my instrument cluster off the bike and after cleaning with rubbing alcohol and cotton buds I figured it still looked very tired. After some hunting online I decided to try mineral oil, applied a coat and rubbed it in (its as if the plastic absorbs it like wood does), let it 'dry' and then polished with a micro fibre (the fine one I use to clean my glasses) . Repeated and this time it didnt soak in so much, then once dry I did it a third time and polished it dry. I'm pleased with the end result. A sort of satin finish that looks original (i.e. not shiny but not matt).

 

[Obo]

It certainly looks better after you did the oil. I'll be interested to see how it lasts over time.

 

[ST1100Y]

Will collect lots of dust for sure...
I'm verry happy with this product (with care it can even refresh the clock faces...)

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[aSTerix]

Will collect lots of dust for sure...
I'm verry happy with this product (with care it can even refresh the clock faces...)

Buy Zep Products Today!

Zep is a leading innovator, producer, and distributor of maintenance and cleaning solutions for retail, food & beverage, industrial & institutional, and vehicle care customers. Zep brings a large portfolio of premium brands built over an 80+ year legacy of developing the most effective products...

www.originalbikespirits.com

I was wondering about this also ! I'll give it a couple more days then place it on my balcony, with the amount of sand we are having at the moment I will find out very quickly

I do get very envious of everyone in USA who can get just about anything possible from a nearby store, over here the choice is extremely limited so I tend to have to make do with what I can find. Even my rubbing alcholol is limited to max 80% !!

 

[ST1100Y]

I do get very envious of everyone in USA who can get just about anything possible from a nearby store, over here the choice is extremely limited so I tend to have to make do with what I can find. Even my rubbing alcholol is limited to max 80% !!

I too have to order many good products online from abroad, cause local stores are under "gag-contracts" by large corporations...

 

[RaYzerman]

I find Mother's Back to Black works well (clean the part with alcohol first). It's a gel-like liquid, paint it on with a toothbrush, rub it in, let soak for a few minutes but not go dry. No worries if it does, apply another coat, do whatever area at a time, overlaps, etc. don't matter. It seems to dissolve that microscopic layer of tiredness... repeat as necessary, when done, just buff it up. Doesn't attract dust, not waxy, leaves a matte finish or slightly glosses up the original finish.

 

[Whooshka]

This stuff is the bomb.

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[Al st1100]

I have my instrument cluster off the bike and after cleaning with rubbing alcohol and cotton buds I figured it still looked very tired. After some hunting online I decided to try mineral oil, applied a coat and rubbed it in (its as if the plastic absorbs it like wood does), let it 'dry' and then polished with a micro fibre (the fine one I use to clean my glasses) . Repeated and this time it didnt soak in so much, then once dry I did it a third time and polished it dry. I'm pleased with the end result. A sort of satin finish that looks original (i.e. not shiny but not matt).

most any oil will do the same . I used trans fluid on faded boat gel coats, it worked wonders with little effort. Cleaning with alcohol removes some of the surface oils. Good if your painting not so good for just cleaning. A soap type surface cleaner and some plastic polish woks just fine with out the oily finish.

 

[aSTerix]

Will collect lots of dust for sure...

I put it on my balcony for several days in the sun and dust. It did gather a layer of dust (which everything does here) but I was able to blow the dust off easily (i.e. it didn't stick). Also, the sun didn't affect the nice satin finish

Now onto the perspex covering the instrument dials, what would you suggest for cleaning/polishing these ?

 

[Roger]

Toothpaste is as much as you need without adding scratches........

 

[ST1100Y]

Now onto the perspex covering the instrument dials, what would you suggest for cleaning/polishing these ?

Hard to tell without seeing how severe the damage is...
I remove the cluster from the black bezel to gain access to the entire surface/glass...
Avoid anything too aggressive, no window cleaners (containing alcohol), no paper towels, no cheap microfiber rags as this all bears the risk of leaving even more scratches...
Soft cotton cloths, warm water with a drop of dish-soap for cleaning, work from there...
Paint polish is avail in various abrasion grades, toothpaste might work, jeweler & phone stores might carry the DisPlex paste, used to reduce/eliminate scratches in (plexi) wristwatch glass...
Deep scratches and/or UV damage (clusters of fine, parallel running cracks inside the material) might require getting a replacement...

 

[Igofar]

Of all the "oils" I've seen folks use over the years, furniture liquid polish lasts the longest.

 

[Obo]

Of all the "oils" I've seen folks use over the years, furniture liquid polish lasts the longest.

Yes, I've had many a folks say that for cleaning the plastics and the tank all you need is a spray can of lemon Pledge and a soft clean cloth.

 

[cyberwolf009]

The mineral oil solution looks great! I can't speak for these plastics, but I found a trick of using a heat gun on plastic Jeep fender trim that wouldn't stay black with anything else.