I gave my car a good cleaning this weekend, took the seats out, shampooed the carpets, etc. Once it got dark I noticed water spots that appear to be inside my dash cluster. I tried cleaning the outside over and over, but they certainly appear to be inside. I didn't drench the car or anything, but is this even possible? Just wondering before I spend a day taking the dash apart to get the spots off.

 

I just came across this thread. Did you ever figure out what caused the water spots? Or did you ever take out the cluster to clean them? My car has the same spots, and has for years now, and I'm considering trying to take care of it.

 

It's not water spots. It haze actually in the plastic. It will not come out. I called Gene Culley and ordered a new bezel glass. It wasn't too expensive.

 

Thanks. That's very strange. A new bezel is probably the best way to go then.

 

I have the same thing on my 04 .
What causes this ?

 

just age would be my guess.

 

I actually am pretty sure mine are water spots. I noticed them right after I shampooed and cleaned the interior of the car. Or maybe I'm just being optimistic. They definitely weren't there before.

I've been wanting to add the silver circles around the gauges anyway for a long time. I'm at work so I don't have the link handy, but most places that sell those rings have instructions on how to take the dash apart and ultimately get inside the plastic. Fairly time consuming process. I want to set aside an entire afternoon to do it to make sure I don't tear anything up. If they aren't water spots then no harm done since I will have to get inside anyway to apply the circles. I'll post the link when I get home later.

 

Please let us know if it is in fact water spots or something else. Would be very interesting to know.

 

Mine looked like this as well. When I put on my gauge bezel rings I cleaned it and they were still there. So then I used Mequire's PlastX plastic polish/scratch remover on it inside and out and it looks better than ever!!

 

Second time I typed this... argh!

A result of our very humid environment.

Might suggest getting the Helm factory service manual.

Couple of notices:

Notice: Whenever the Instrument Panel CLuster (IPC) is removed from the vehicle, DO NOT set the IPC on its face for more than 15 minutes or damage to the fluid filled air core gages may result.

Important: Maintain the cleanest environment possible when servicing the instrument panel cluster lens. The cluster utilizes ultra-violet (UV) lighting; the slightest amount of dirt or dust allowed to get behind the lens will be extremely visible when the UV lighting is on.

Removal:

1. Remove the instrument panel cluster from the vehicle. (Little more detailed then this)
2. Remove the I/P cluster bezel.
3. Working from the outer tabs toward the inner tabs, release the IPC lens locking tabs.
4. Remove the IPC lens from the IPC.

Installation:

1. Install the instrument panel cluster lens into position on the IPC.
1.1 Align the lens locking tabs into the slots.
1.2 Align the lens onto the alignment pins.
2. Install the IPC lens locking tabs to seat the lens.
3. Install the I/P cluster bezel.
4. Install the IPC to the vehicle. (Step is more detailed.)


I replaced the lens in my '93 C4 took a couple hours if I remember correctly.

The moisture seems to damage the inside of the lens. Should be able to get a new lens from GM/Chevy, Ecklers, Mid-America, etc.

 

I did the job of adding the bezel accents and it turned out just great. It took approximately 2.5 hrs. but directions are essential. Let me know if you need them.

Sean

 

Vette Essentials has a great write-up for removing the guage cluster. Also, I checked Fred Beans and they sell the bezel for $105.

http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...zel_howto.html

 

Picked up my bezels for $29 + shipping. They look fantastic...

Sean

 

I meant the clear plastic cover (bezel) for the guage cluster. I think you are referring to the aftermarket rings that go around the guages, correct?

 

GM MSRP is $53.49, your price from most GM discounters is $27.82 for the lens.

 

OK, I must have been looking at something else then! Wouldn't be the first time.

 

I think we are talking about the same thing. I had just went online to a GM vendor, and pulled the MSRP and List for the lens to illustrate that it isn't that super expensive.

 

Is there a preference for the aluminum or plastic bezel accents? (A bit off-topic...I'm referring to the rings that go around the gauges.) I've heard the plastic is better since it is more flexible so it can fit tightly around the gauges and there is no glue involved (3M self adhesive instead), so you don't have to risk getting glue where it is visible. However, this advice was from a website selling the plastic bezel accents--go figure...

 

I don't know, but in my situation I had haze on the inside of the plastic and spent forever wondering what it was. When I took my dash apart to install my gauge bezel rings, the haze wiped right off with a microfiber. *shrugg*

 

Just a little update on this issue. I pulled my gauge cluster out this weekend and took the lens off. The "spots" were definitely a haze of some sort. Looks like they were caused by a cleaning product that splattered on the plastic. I bought some Meguiars PlasticX and polished the inside and outside of the lens....came out looking brand new! The spots would not budge with normal soap and water and scrubbing hard. They only came out when I used the Mequiars plastic polish. Good as new!