[Trickster]

Mazda needs to work with a better quality plastic, it's the first time I see such a fragile cover.

I don’t understand this material quality either, but have seen it in many vehicles. Volvo, Stellantis products that I have personally owned have this issue as well.

 

[spiros75]

Well for the price, certainly worth trying.
If you follow the technique offered from Mazda you will be fine, BUT for those that were not aware initially, well it’s too late for them.

In which technique are your referring?

 

[Trickster]

In which technique are your referring?

Compressed air to blow off dust, then using a ultra soft eyeglasses cloth wetted with just water, you make light horizontal passes. If you look at the TSB for this issue it explains it in more detail.

 

[pjbellemare]

So....I was dusting my interior the other day and noticed that my plastic cover is already scratched to bits! Now I realize this plastic is made up of some of the softest plastic known to man, but this is a bit ridiculous. My guess is that some prep tech used the same dirty wet rag to wipe across the oh so delicate plastic as they used to wipe down the wheel wells for delivery. I'd have the dealer replace it, but then you run the risk of them damaging all the other things in the process. ?

Yes, in some angles, it is ugly. I had it replaced me too but it is so fragile, impossible to keep it scratch free. This is disgusting.

 

[Trickster]

Yes, in some angles, it is ugly. I had it replaced me too but it is so fragile, impossible to keep it scratch free. This is disgusting.

Nothing is impossible.
Many manufacturers instrument lenses are similar. I know for a fact, Jeep, Ram, and Volvo are like these.
Perhaps your cleaning technique needs to be appropriate for the product. Glass lens cloth and water works for me.

 

[kefkafloyd]

Best to order one of the pre-cut sheets of PPF and have it applied before installing the replacement.

 

[kimandreen]

This just happened to me, but im a CX50. I thought I just had smudges that needed to be wiped off when I drove off the lot. And thought nothing of it. I tried water and microfiber as not to damage it more, but it didn't work. So I took it to the dealership for my first oil change and asked them to fix this as well. They said it was from "external influence" and its not covered and I should have come in sooner because I waited so "long" to bring it in. It's 4mo old, 6k miles and now I have to pay out of pocket for this. This is my 3rd Mazda from the same dealership in less than 5 years. Never again.

 

[Trickster]

This just happened to me, but im a CX50. I thought I just had smudges that needed to be wiped off when I drove off the lot. And thought nothing of it. I tried water and microfiber as not to damage it more, but it didn't work. So I took it to the dealership for my first oil change and asked them to fix this as well. They said it was from "external influence" and its not covered and I should have come in sooner because I waited so "long" to bring it in. It's 4mo old, 6k miles and now I have to pay out of pocket for this. This is my 3rd Mazda from the same dealership in less than 5 years. Never again.

Never again what?
Another Mazda or the dealership?

 

[kimandreen]

Both actually. I am so disappointed in the service I received. I will not be using this dealership again for any type of service. I am so irritated about the whole situation I don't think I'll ever buy another Mazda as well.

 

[Trickster]

Both actually. I am so disappointed in the service I received. I will not be using this dealership again for any type of service. I am so irritated about the whole situation I don't think I'll ever buy another Mazda as well.

Well that’s too bad you feel that way.
Most of the newer vehicles I have operated in the last few years seem to be coming with this soft IP plastic lens. Not sure why they are built this way, but it is really irritating. Manufacturers even have specific procedures for cleaning them. Eyeglass cleaning cloths in a side to side motion, after you have blown off the dust. Really? But if you want o keep it scratch free, that’s the way.

I for one would not right off a car brand because of this fault in design.
I suppose this is why there are numerous products out there to use as overlays on infotainment screens, IP lenses, and all the ridiculous black piano finishes.

There is a service alert for this issue, so it is a know problem. In fact if you Google it, it’s a really common issue on many, many makes.

 

[30pilot]

what about a screen protector film that is available for tablets and laptops - would that help?

Any product could be tested on a plastic pop bottle first to see if any scratching occurs.

The plastic used for pop bottles is not the same used for your instrument panel. The plastic used for your screen is soft because it does not reflect as bad as a harder plastic. There is a screen protector available for the cluster cover and is not to hard to apply as you m ight think, just make sure the screen is CLEAN before applying.

 

[30pilot]

So....I was dusting my interior the other day and noticed that my plastic cover is already scratched to bits! Now I realize this plastic is made up of some of the softest plastic known to man, but this is a bit ridiculous. My guess is that some prep tech used the same dirty wet rag to wipe across the oh so delicate plastic as they used to wipe down the wheel wells for delivery. I'd have the dealer replace it, but then you run the risk of them damaging all the other things in the process. ?

This is why I would not let the dealer prep my car, even touch it. Too many times they do damage they are not even aware of.

 

[kimandreen]

Customer service is huge for me. My dealership told me they contacted Mazda to cover this as well and they turned it down. So it's not just being irritated at a specific dealer or the cost of the repair, it's the principle of the matter. I have been a loyal Mazda customer and don't feel their customer service holds to my standards.
I appreciate the service alert info, it puts a bigger picture on this as a whole. Thanks!

 

[OldFart]

Customer service is huge for me. My dealership told me they contacted Mazda to cover this as well and they turned it down. So it's not just being irritated at a specific dealer or the cost of the repair, it's the principle of the matter. I have been a loyal Mazda customer and don't feel their customer service holds to my standards.
I appreciate the service alert info, it puts a bigger picture on this as a whole. Thanks!

I’d try another dealer service dept. I’m skeptical that they actually reached out to Mazda on this.

 

[James64]

I have had my CX-30 for 3 weeks. I have never touched the instrument cluster plastic lens cover. BUT, there are very very small curved hairline scratches (in a swirl pattern) noticeable only under certain light and angles. There are no big or deep scratches. You can’t see anything if the lens are shaded. I can only see them during mid-day sunlight or if I go in the garage and aim a flashlight at a downward angle like the sun).

I am guessing that the prep guy may have done it?

For those that say there are no scratches on their lenses, are you saying that you don’t see any tiny-curved-hairline scratches when the sun is overhead?

1) I am worried about trying a random plastic polish because it can leave a white haze.

2) I don’t know if the distracting/disappointing tiny-curved-hairline scratches are enough to get it replaced? AND… I’d worry that something else would go wrong if I allow them to do it. Years ago, when the dealer pulled my dashboard out of my Mazda 3 to go after the most annoying creak ever… they scratched the radio screen... and didn't fix the creak (which is most likely only of those stupid trim clips that they used underneath)!

3) Evangelosp (June 6, 2021) implied that he can’t see the scratches after putting a protective film on the instrument cluster cover. Though his was done by a detailer. I have ordered the following screen protector but I’m hoping to hear from some more people who have tried it: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800921391162.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt (For Mazda 3 Axela CX-30 2019 2020-2023 Car interior Instrument panel membrane LCD screen TPU protective film Anti-scratch refi).

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[SDH]

My routine is to blow off whatever dust/debris I can with compressed air, take a soaking wet soft microfiber cloth & dab (not wipe) the entire cluster surface to pick up anything remaining, lightly dab-dry it decently, & then put a thin layer of ceramic coating on it via usage of the Adam's ceramic water-less wash/polish that I use for pretty much entire outside of vehicle (paint, plastic, glass, vinyl). Seems to work fine for cluster area & the black piano trim inside the vehicle as well.

 

[30pilot]

My routine is to blow off whatever dust/debris I can with compressed air, take a soaking wet soft microfiber cloth & dab (not wipe) the entire cluster surface to pick up anything remaining, lightly dab-dry it decently, & then put a thin layer of ceramic coating on it via usage of the Adam's ceramic water-less wash/polish that I use for pretty much entire outside of vehicle (paint, plastic, glass, vinyl). Seems to work fine for cluster area & the black piano trim inside the vehicle as well.

Sticky tape used to remove lint etc. removes dust without scratching the plastics in the cockpit, just dab a few square inches at a time, don't drag it, don't press it on.

 

[James64]

Thanks for responding! Although my concern is not how do I clean it... but how do I fix or hide the fine swirl marks (only seen when the sun is overhead) that are already there. I haven't touched it yet. The marks were either from the factory of made by the prep guy. I'm wondering if other people have these fine swirl marks even if they haven't touched (cleaned) the plastic.

Maybe I will drive over to the dealer and sit in the other CX-30s that are on the lot in order to try to see what's normal (although I don't know if the prep guy touched those).

 

[SDH]

I used to use Lemon Pledge furniture polish to remove scratches from CD/DVD's (which are also soft plastic & easy to scratch) & make them playable again without errors. Seems like it would work for this also.

 

[James64]

I checked the 2023 CX-50 in the dealership floor and the plastic panel was perfect! My dealership was kind enough to offer to replace the panel! The dealership said that they would let me bring a new plastic panel to a company to have them put film on it... and then the dealership would install it... if I want!

I am getting ppf put on my hood. I contacted the company to see if they would put ppf on the existing plastic panel while it is still in the car. I am waiting to hear back. The company said that they would put film on it if it is out of the car no problem.

Now I have to decide which path to take. Although its only a few pieces of the dashboard that have to come out (I saw a video online), and they said that they have 2 master mechanics who have experience taking dashboards out... I'm nervous.