FJowners.com

General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: chiz on May 01, 2016, 07:23:04 PM

Title: Instrument cover cracking
Post by: chiz on May 01, 2016, 07:23:04 PM
Hi
I bought a replacement instrument cluster because my original clear cover is cracked up all over. Is there a treatment for the clear plastic that will prevent cracking

Lez
Title: Re: Instrument cover cracking
Post by: FJmonkey on May 01, 2016, 08:33:30 PM
Quote from: chiz on May 01, 2016, 07:23:04 PM
Hi
I bought a replacement instrument cluster because my original clear cover is cracked up all over. Is there a treatment for the clear plastic that will prevent cracking

Lez
Maybe a time machine.
Title: Re: Instrument cover cracking
Post by: Pat Conlon on May 01, 2016, 10:48:00 PM
Lez, there is nothing that I know of...

I try and not leave my gauges in the sun. El Sol does not play nice with the clear cover, he also bleaches my gauge needles. If I need to, depending on parking, I put my gloves over the gauge cover.
Title: Re: Instrument cover cracking
Post by: ribbert on May 02, 2016, 07:14:39 AM
Quote from: chiz on May 01, 2016, 07:23:04 PM
Hi
I bought a replacement instrument cluster because my original clear cover is cracked up all over. Is there a treatment for the clear plastic that will prevent cracking

Lez

As far as I know, there is no way to protect anything "clear" from UV rays, certainly not from surface treatments, and plastic doesn't like UV rays.

This is not a common problem with FJ's (the screen and shroud tend to offer reasonble protection) and I can't recall anyone having a similar issue so I would say if you have replaced it, and don't leave it baking in the sun, you should be OK.

Noel
Title: Re: Instrument cover cracking
Post by: PaulG on May 02, 2016, 07:32:07 AM
What about using a piece of window tint?  They claim blocking 99% of UVs.  Maybe a minimum tint of 10 or 20% would be enough to see the gauges still?


http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Window_Film/Solutions/Markets-Products/Automotive/ (http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Window_Film/Solutions/Markets-Products/Automotive/)
Title: Re: Instrument cover cracking
Post by: ribbert on May 02, 2016, 07:44:52 AM
Quote from: PaulG on May 02, 2016, 07:32:07 AM
What about using a piece of window tint?  They claim blocking 99% of UVs.  Maybe a minimum tint of 10 or 20% would be enough to see the gauges still?


http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Window_Film/Solutions/Markets-Products/Automotive/ (http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Window_Film/Solutions/Markets-Products/Automotive/)

You're right Paul, it does block the rays but it's also not "clear" and this is not a widespread problem, in fact, I've never heard of anyone having this problem before.(not saying it hasn't happened though, but it must be rare)

Noel
Title: Re: Instrument cover cracking
Post by: Charlie-brm on May 02, 2016, 03:52:15 PM
Can I ask how long you've had the bike with that part and what you've been using to clean it?
Title: Re: Instrument cover cracking
Post by: chiz on May 02, 2016, 06:21:22 PM
Only had it about 2 years and always cover it or park it in the shade. Funny thing it went wild with cracking two winters ago when it got evil cold.... Got to thinking seeing as though automotive clear coat is designed to give UV protection could I give this a try or likely the concoction of chemicals that has to go into the stuff might melt the plastic?
Lez Thanks for the feedback