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. ?
Instrument Cluster Plastic Lens Cover...
#LFGM!
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I used Meguiar's Plastx and this is how mine still looks
I have started to learn a few things on mine (although I am not finished working on mine).
1) I got a hold of 2 brand new plastic lens and they both had some fine scratches. The thing is, most of the fine scratches were on the BACK!
2) What fabric we use when trying to polish the plastic lens is just as important as the polish. Besides my finger, I only use eye glass cleaning cloth, and very light pressure. I don't know of anything that is more gentle and everything else scratches it.
3) Eyeglass lens cleaner spray and eyeglass cleaning cloth can actually get out some super fine scratches if you are very patient.
4) Meguiar's Professional #17 Clear Plastic Cleaner and eyeglass lens cleaning cloth is absolutely amazing! It is actually made for this. It even said so on the label (instrument panels). If you have fine scratches, then #17 is the best. I haven't tried Meguiar's PlastX but I suspect that it is very similar to Novus #2.
5) If the scratches look deep like those in nancyirc's picture, then you can use some Novus #2 (although I would dilute with water a bit, because for me it left some fine scratches) and then use Meguiar's Professional #17 Clear Plastic Cleaner.
6) NuFinish liquid car wax diluted with water can make nancyirc's lens look better but it will leave fine scratches that you will have to get out.
7) RainX windshield protectant can get rid of fine scratches... but then if you touch it you will get a smudge that you can't easily get rid of, so I don't recommend it.
8) You can order a new plastic lens ($90 shipped, online) and replace it yourself if you are handy and you have the nerve. I am replacing mine. But know this going in, that you have to take the instrument assembly out of the car to do it and when you detach the old lens there is a chance that you will snap the 2 bottom build in plastic clips (if you are going to replace the lens, then it doesn't matter). Someone on YouTube show how you can get the instrument panel out (you don't have to mess with the entertainment screen like he is). He is installing a heads-up display and there is doing extra stuff. Search for: Mazda Heads Up Display Installation.
I am still polishing mine. Once I am satisfied with the fine scratch removal using Meguiar's #17, I will use Meguiar's Professional #10 Clear Plastic Polish (I recommend this combination), and finally reinstall it. I still have my 2008 Mazda 3 (which doesn't have this problem), so I can take my time.
It would be nice to hear what kind of cloth everyone is using!
1) I got a hold of 2 brand new plastic lens and they both had some fine scratches. The thing is, most of the fine scratches were on the BACK!
2) What fabric we use when trying to polish the plastic lens is just as important as the polish. Besides my finger, I only use eye glass cleaning cloth, and very light pressure. I don't know of anything that is more gentle and everything else scratches it.
3) Eyeglass lens cleaner spray and eyeglass cleaning cloth can actually get out some super fine scratches if you are very patient.
4) Meguiar's Professional #17 Clear Plastic Cleaner and eyeglass lens cleaning cloth is absolutely amazing! It is actually made for this. It even said so on the label (instrument panels). If you have fine scratches, then #17 is the best. I haven't tried Meguiar's PlastX but I suspect that it is very similar to Novus #2.
5) If the scratches look deep like those in nancyirc's picture, then you can use some Novus #2 (although I would dilute with water a bit, because for me it left some fine scratches) and then use Meguiar's Professional #17 Clear Plastic Cleaner.
6) NuFinish liquid car wax diluted with water can make nancyirc's lens look better but it will leave fine scratches that you will have to get out.
7) RainX windshield protectant can get rid of fine scratches... but then if you touch it you will get a smudge that you can't easily get rid of, so I don't recommend it.
8) You can order a new plastic lens ($90 shipped, online) and replace it yourself if you are handy and you have the nerve. I am replacing mine. But know this going in, that you have to take the instrument assembly out of the car to do it and when you detach the old lens there is a chance that you will snap the 2 bottom build in plastic clips (if you are going to replace the lens, then it doesn't matter). Someone on YouTube show how you can get the instrument panel out (you don't have to mess with the entertainment screen like he is). He is installing a heads-up display and there is doing extra stuff. Search for: Mazda Heads Up Display Installation.
I am still polishing mine. Once I am satisfied with the fine scratch removal using Meguiar's #17, I will use Meguiar's Professional #10 Clear Plastic Polish (I recommend this combination), and finally reinstall it. I still have my 2008 Mazda 3 (which doesn't have this problem), so I can take my time.
It would be nice to hear what kind of cloth everyone is using!
2022 CX-30 in premium trim. Deep crystal blue mica, white interior.
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I have used meguiars plastix with good results you must first use a fine brush, Revlons face brush is good, removing any dust, grit etc.. Then using a damp lens cleaning cloth, as for fine optics, a drop of plastix, and easy strokes with little pressure. use a bit foam sponge in the cloth, do not use your finger, too small an area, too much pressure.
Mine is also scratched, not that much, but still.
I tried cleaning it with microfiber duster-wiper cleaner, although I'm not sure that this didn't cause more scratches.
From other people on the net:
"This has been posted a lot before and even happens on my 2019 3. The plastic used in these clusters are extremely extremely prone to scratches. Many manufacturers have this issue now, but it seems to be prevalent on new Mazdas. I don’t even wipe mine with a microfiber because other people have reported more scratches."
I tried cleaning it with microfiber duster-wiper cleaner, although I'm not sure that this didn't cause more scratches.
From other people on the net:
"This has been posted a lot before and even happens on my 2019 3. The plastic used in these clusters are extremely extremely prone to scratches. Many manufacturers have this issue now, but it seems to be prevalent on new Mazdas. I don’t even wipe mine with a microfiber because other people have reported more scratches."
2022 CX-30 in premium trim. Deep crystal blue mica, white interior.
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1,254 Posts
Most manufacturers use the same plastic covers, the EPA has considerable influence on what materials my be used in automobiles. Supposedly, the materials are not to support combustion on their own, clear plastics need certain chemicals to make and keep them clear. The OEM must meet these criteria, aftermarket suppliers are not held to the same standard. Unfortunately, these materials are "soft", and you're right, don't touch with even microfiber cloth, only materials used to clean fine lenses, cloth made for the purpose, and cleaner, your glasses, binoculars etc.
Respectfully, I disagree. Yes, the EPA is a joke... but I don't buy it. I can get prescription eyeglasses made out of plastic to put on my face... and they don't scratch when being wiped with a bathroom towel. I can order $4 eyeglasses/sunglass off of Amazon, shipped from overseas with clear lenses and they don't scratch with a dish towel. They make eyeglasses out of various types of plastic including the older and cheaper (and yet optically superior) CR-39 plastic. I doubt my eyeglasses are combustable. My neighbors Lexus doesn't have scratches.
Yeah, I think you or someone else mentioned this in another thread.
I really don't know if this is because of EPA or European Environment Agency. I also don't have much hands-on experience with other recent models from different manufacturers, so I can't really tell if this is the case for the whole car industry or specific to Mazda.
All I can say, as a customer, is that I find this to be totally unacceptable.
Someone in Mazda should have assumed that this lens is going to get dusty or dirty and that customers will try to clean it and that this will immediately cause scratches on the surface and therefore come to the conclusion that this material is not suitable for production cars.
They should have done a monkey test like Hyundai
2022 CX-30 in premium trim. Deep crystal blue mica, white interior.
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Your eyeglasses are not an automotive part, they are not subject to what are often arbitrary, convoluted regulation. As an experienced Injection molding tech, primarily for automotive suppliers and the manufactures themselves. I can assure you that the EPA is not a joke when it comes to conforming to their nonsense. When, and where was your neighbors Lexus manufactured? A manufacture can request for a standard "deviation", It is expensive and time consuming to provide the necessary documentation and proof of concept to have the standard excepted. Most manufactures are not going to go through the "process". Those costs are of course passed on to the consumer. However, it would be interesting to find out if prescription eyewear is combustible, OTC sunglasses will support combustion once ignited.
2022 CX-30 in premium trim. Deep crystal blue mica, white interior.
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1,254 Posts
Hyundai uses the same plastic, unless they have a deviation from the EPA, which I doubt because of the time and expense to get one.Yeah, I think you or someone else mentioned this in another thread.
I really don't know if this is because of EPA or European Environment Agency. I also don't have much hands-on experience with other recent models from different manufacturers, so I can't really tell if this is the case for the whole car industry or specific to Mazda.
All I can say, as a customer, is that I find this to be totally unacceptable.
Someone in Mazda should have assumed that this lens is going to get dusty or dirty and that customers will try to clean it and that this will immediately cause scratches on the surface and therefore come to the conclusion that this material is not suitable for production cars.
They should have done a monkey test like Hyundai
Different product than the interior.
Both of my recent Volvos, my Ram work truck and my brand new Canyon truck at work have the same issues with the IC lenses.
No more wiping the windows then the gauge cluster or you will be pissed.😳
2022 CX-30 in premium trim. Deep crystal blue mica, white interior.
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1,254 Posts
They are not an interior cabin part. different restrictions apply. So lets assume a better plastic "no scratch" instrument cluster lens is used. The plastic now in use in Mazda and many other manufactures is not made by the auto manufacturers it is a product supplied by an outside source. That source has already secured the necessary approvals and now markets the product in a ready to apply form. It is a flat rolled product and the lenses are stamped, cut, from the sheet and shipped to the manufacturer. It is made to reflect a price attractive to the manufacturer, not only in the initial cost but in the assembly process as well. A carbonate lens would not only cost considerably more to make and ship. It would take more time in the assembly adding more time, labor and cost to the end product, and that cost is passed on to the end user, us. Though the piece itself is not that costly, the process of manufacturing, installing, is no small investment. This is greatly simplified and if you are not familiar with the process it seams a small thing, from my experience I would estimate the cost to be 10 to 12 times the cost of the current lens. Pass that on, along with all the other things people think would be no problem and you have a low to mid range vehicle priced out of it's market. Vehicle manufacturers invest in amenities they perceive the consumer will acknowledge and appreciate, they are not going to money where it is not appreciated, after all their goal is to sell the vehicle at a profit.
It's not that I don't believe you or Trickster, but I'm still unpleasantly surprised if this is the case. I'm all for safety and environmental protection, but the end product can't be awful like this.
I'll ask some friends and colleagues who drive post-2020 cars what it's like in their cars.
What we know:
- People (customers) are not liking this. There are quite a few threads here and on the CX-30 subreddit with people complaining about it.
- As far as I can see, in the CX-30 manual, under interior care there is no mention of how sensitive the lens covers is and there is no procedure listed on how you should clean it without scratching. It's part of the service bulletin that is not easily available to the public. It's not like many people would read the manual before cleaning, but still, there is no mention of this in the manual.
- Service bulletin shows that this did not only surprise the customers but also the dealers and their staff, who sell cars for a living.
According to the manual, the instrument panel top (soft pad) is also made of extremely soft material!
There should be more complaint to Mazda about this bad quality plastic lens, mine is new, it's been replaced already, still I don't dare touch it to dust it ! It's way too fragile. I have had basic Austin Mini, old Peugeot ; old Citroen, old Alfa Romeo and I could clean the lens with anything I had at hand and they looked clean and scratch free after years and years...
Problem is, depending of the sun position, I sometimes had problem to read the gauge cluster.
Problem is, depending of the sun position, I sometimes had problem to read the gauge cluster.
2022 CX-30 in premium trim. Deep crystal blue mica, white interior.
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1,254 Posts
The materials Mazda uses in the interior are not different than the materials in other makes at the same price point, in fact with few exceptions they are the same. We just sold a 2020 Q3 same problem, the lens may have been a little thicker but the wife used a paper towel to clean it shortly after we bought it new, scratched it bad. The market in which Mazda competes with the 30, the 3, and the 5 a very competitive and price point plays a huge part in that competition. Pick up trucks are not classified the same nor held to the same standard as most passenger vehicles and many parts, pieces, assemblies, are grandfathered. When a new design is approved for production by many agencies, insurance companies and a panel of automotive attorneys, it is set in stone until an issue dictates a change, ie safety. Future model changes can refer to the "original" to use the same parts, systems, etc. in subsequent models without further approvals as long as they meet the same standards, the same application. That's why "updates" may not be more expensive, or even reduce costs by a few $$, whether they pass that on to the consumer is doubtful. I do not like this lens material any more than does anybody else, however, we had every chance to check out any vehicles we want to buy before we purchase them, Then to blame a manufacturer for cheating is unfair, however deceitful, misleading, their propaganda and reviews lead us into temptation, we, purchased our perceptions, not the reality that existed at the time of purchase, the fact they do not disclose ALL, not withstanding. The automotive industry is very highly competitive as are many these days. Awful is is a perception, poor material is the reality.
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What government source are you finding the information that light duty trucks do not follow the same interior fire standards as passenger vehicles?
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