Anti-Glare on the instrument cluster?

[red]

It's possible that a former owner  has "cleaned" or polished the plastic instrument screen on my FJ1100, but anyway now I am left with a very glossy reflective instrument screen that makes it hard to read the instruments in bright light, or at certain light angles.  Does anybody know of a cleaner/polish for clear plastic that leaves the clear plastic non-glossy, like a matte finish?  I'd expect it to be something like toothpaste, although that stuff is much too gritty.  I do not want a foggy plastic, just a non-reflective surface, so I can read the instruments in bright light.
TIA.

Cheers,
Red

[Pat Conlon]

Is there any wax or polish on the plastic surface? Take some spray detergent (e.g.409/Simple Green, etc) and a clean wet sponge and wipe down the plastic followed by a rinse, do it twice.
Dry off the plastic and see what you get.

Your instincts are good about not scratching the outside surface of the screen, I don't think you want that...

It's a good question, I don't think anyone has ever asked that before... Isn't there a film people apply to their computer monitors to cut the glare from overhead fluorescent lights?

[ribbert]

I can't imagine having my bike, or my life for that matter, in such good order that this would concern me to the point of doing something about it. And here's me thinking topics couldn't get any more superfluous than the float pin discussion. 

They are shiny and the light does catch them occasionally but what you are suggesting is scratching the shit out of the surface but finely and uniformly. I fear any abrasive that cuts glare is going to cause opacity and that would annoy you ALL the time.

My wife has succeeded with this. She waits until there is sufficient dust and dirt on the instruments then rubs over the speedo with her bare fingers. It has taken her a while but she has finally succeeded in removing all the gloss, over the speedo anyway with a half strength one over the fuel gauge. Chuck in a few ring sctratches and the odd diamond swirl and job done. She did expedite the process with her habit of leaving the windows down all day in a dirt paddock when it's hot (or cold or in between or windy or......)

If it was me, I would look into applying a non glare film over it.

I actually went to a lot of trouble to polish mine when I first got it, (it looked like my wife had owned it at some point) because that's how they're meant to be.
I know what you are talking about but I don't find it that big a problem.

Good luck.

Noel

[FJmonkey]

Errrrr.... Ah.....  When I swapped out my strangled cat sounding speedo (a few years ago) I thought it might be a good idea to clean it. I used rubbing alcohol and discovered that the anti-glare wiped right off....  So My speedo is no longer with an anti-glare finish. I have not been motivated to fix it yet. But my first attempt would be to purchase some clear flat finish spray from a hobby store to get that anti-glare back.

This might work http://www.rustoleum.com/en/product-catalog/consumer-brands/specialty/matte-finish

But not knowing how it reacts to the ink already on the speedo face I would be cautious and spray a light coat, followed by another light coat, then another if required...

[red]

Errrrr.... Ah.....  When I swapped out my strangled cat sounding speedo (a few years ago) I thought it might be a good idea to clean it. I used rubbing alcohol and discovered that the anti-glare wiped right off....  So My speedo is no longer with an anti-glare finish. I have not been motivated to fix it yet. But my first attempt would be to purchase some clear flat finish spray from a hobby store to get that anti-glare back.
This might work http://www.rustoleum.com/en/product-catalog/consumer-brands/specialty/matte-finish
But not knowing how it reacts to the ink already on the speedo face I would be cautious and spray a light coat, followed by another light coat, then another if required...

FJmonkey,

Right, you can clean the anti-glare coating off completely, which is what the previous owner probably did.  I am not concerned with the speedo face, which is probably okay, but the clear plastic screen above it.  I will track down the rustoleum if necessary, thanks, but I am hoping for a more certain and permanent fix, by removing the gloss finish on the clear plastic.

Ribbert,

Yeah, maybe it's no big thing, probably just a case of PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) and the bright lights in the garage.  Still, on my old 4x4, it's a very serious issue with the recessed gauges and instruments, and hopefully I can kill two birds with one stone here.

Cheers,
Red

[Arnie]

There are special anti-glare matt sprays available for use in studio photography.
You should be able get one at any good art supply store.

However, most photographers just use a light mist of hair spray to cut the reflections.

[movenon]

"PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) and the bright lights in the garage"

Well said, a common affliction.
George

[FJmonkey]

If you are talking about the cleaer plastic cluster lens then don't spray it with anything. ribbert describes what it will look like if you spray it with any matte type finish. You will not see the gagues properly. Use 100% cotton and any good plastic polish. That is right Pat! I used the word polish....  Treat it like you treat your visor on your helmet.

I use this stuff http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g12310-plastx-clear-plastic-cleaner-polish/

and I also use this http://www.meguiars.com/en/professional/products/m1008-clear-plastic-polish/

Maybe I should invest in Meguiars.....

[Pat Conlon]

Mark, I think Red wants to make the lens less shiny.

Red, I would look for a film you could apply....and remove if not satisfied.

I use Simichrome on my lens to buff out the scratches, then a coat of Zanio polish (which doesn't yellow)
I have not noticed a glare off the lens out here in the bright desert sun, but then again, I have not been looking for it.

[red]

Mark, I think Red wants to make the lens less shiny.
Red, I would look for a film you could apply....and remove if not satisfied.  I use Simichrome on my lens to buff out the scratches, then a coat of Zanio polish (which doesn't yellow)
I have not noticed a glare off the lens out here in the bright desert sun, but then again, I have not been looking for it.

Pat,

You are correct, I just want to dull the shine, without making the plastic milky.  Simichrome may be just the thing I was needing; that is one good idea.  I'm hoping that it does not go too far.  I will get some Simichrome, and test it on some other plastics, to see what I get with that stuff.  If it does the trick, I'll post the results here.  Still open for more suggestions, as well.

Thanks,
Red

[FJ1100mjk]

How about this "dulling" spray?

http://www.krylon.com/products/dulling-spray/

Works on plastic and supposedly wipes off. Good if you don't like its performance.

[red]

How about this "dulling" spray?
http://www.krylon.com/products/dulling-spray/
Works on plastic and supposedly wipes off. Good if you don't like its performance.

FJ1100mjk,
I think I knew a guy at work who must have had the nozzle pointed the wrong way; now he's kinda dull.   

Certainly worth a try, but it would be better if it did not wipe off easily.

Cheers,
Red