old looking gauges

[robertsmcfarland]

Has anyone ever tried to clear up the small 2 inch gauges lenses. I have a 2004 210 super air and the three ballast and other small instrument gauges look like they were exposed to too much sun over the years, they work fine and was wondering if anyone has used any of the products out now to restore the lenses to clear them up. Thanks

[DanielC]

I do not know what kind of plastic they used on the face of the gauges, so do this at your risk.

I have a 1996 Ford Aerostar, that has plastic headlights, and like a lot of cars, with plastic headlights, they get cloudy, and not clear, with age.
I used fine sandpaper, and then buffing compound on a wool bonnet, at a very slow speed, keeping the headlight lens wet.
The details:
Ground and wet sanded off the aiming studs, with 220 grit sandpaper
Wet sanded with 320, 400, 600, and 800 grit paper on rubber sanding blocks.
Wet sanded with 1000, 1500, 2500 grit paper on sponge pads.
Rotary buffed with Meguire's diamond cut compound, very slow speed, light pressure, keeping it wet. If you get the plastic warm, it starts to melt, and it will be moch worse than just leaving them alone. you will have to start over with 220 grit sandpaper.
Rotary buffed with swirl remover, keeping it wet, with a very slow speed, light pressure.

I suspect that if the plastic is polishable, just about any polish or buffing compound, of the right grit will work, if you apply it correctly.

When I did my Aerostar headlights the first time, I knew I could go and buy an overpriced headlight cleaning kit, but I decided to just try materials I had at home already.

Are you the same McFarland of the "Wet Costume"

[robertsmcfarland]

I don't think so unless it is my son that is some how connected to "wet costume" but what you did your aerostar is what I was thinking of; maybe someone on this site as done that approach to gauges.