X7 digital dash clean

jkj · 12-03-2024, 02:51 PM

How can I clean this digital dash screen? I’ve tried alcohol and a microfiber with no resolution. Looks the same as before.

stbm5 · 12-03-2024, 03:11 PM

how'd it get that way?

mrpingu · 12-03-2024, 03:31 PM

Almost looks like an aggressive cleaner was used and has dissolved the outer layer.

stbm5 · 12-03-2024, 03:33 PM

my thought too. looks bad. can't imagine trying to polish that either.

scubajim · 12-03-2024, 04:24 PM

Someone sprayed a cleaner or chemical on it and damaged the plastic. I really don't think you can clean that off. Since there isn't much hope, you can try to polish it with a multi-step process. Is it touch screen? That may lead to bigger issues if you polish?

jkj · 12-03-2024, 04:31 PM

Bought used no idea what to try. It’s weird it’s only at the top. Any thoughts on what to try?

stbm5 · 12-03-2024, 07:42 PM

it looks to me that previous owner really screwed it up. i have no experience with this particular scenario but you could try a very fine polish on a small area and see if you can make any progress, if you do then polish the whole thing. what year is the vehicle? i wonder if that part is replaceable???

MJBO · 12-03-2024, 09:47 PM

Looks toast, those screens have coatings on them to reduce reflections and it looks like whatever chemical has been used on it has damaged that coated.

Every chance you'll have to replace the unit.

icj_45e · 12-04-2024, 08:12 AM

maybe try a clay bar??

zx10guy · 12-04-2024, 09:35 AM

Reminds me of the damage caused on plasma TVs would get when people use any chemicals on the the screen. Plasmas have an anti-reflective coating on them and are only cleaned with distilled water and a microfiber towel.

TboneS54 · 12-05-2024, 01:43 PM

I would would try to polish a small area (maybe top corner) by hand (mf towel) using a weak liquid polish like a plastic polish (mothers/meguiar's) or final polish type product. If no improvement at all, I wouldn't go further. Leave it as-is or replace.

scubajim · 12-05-2024, 04:17 PM

Try the Meguiar's PlastX.

Herofmine · 12-06-2024, 03:33 AM

Alchol will make it worse, that screen is already damaged, you need to replace it.

Zig613 · 12-30-2024, 07:46 AM

If you are going to try polishing the screen I would look at NOVUS Plastic Polish. https://novuspolish.com/

12-03-2024, 02:51 PM	#1
jkj New Member 5 Rep 26 Posts Drives: N55 335i Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	X7 digital dash clean How can I clean this digital dash screen? I’ve tried alcohol and a microfiber with no resolution. Looks the same as before. Attached Images
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12-03-2024, 03:11 PM	#2
stbm5 Captain 680 Rep 962 Posts Drives: 2018 M5 DG Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: 72211 iTrader: (0)	how'd it get that way?
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12-03-2024, 03:31 PM	#3
mrpingu Major 513 Rep 1,438 Posts Drives: 2018 F48 X1 xDrive 18D Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Norway iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X1 (F48) [10.00]	Almost looks like an aggressive cleaner was used and has dissolved the outer layer. __________________ Retrofits done: 2TB, 235, 313, 430, 456, 508, 5DP, 322, 674 , 6CP, 323, 552 Other mods: Central Locking button on both sides, Add extra trunk lights Other info: F48 Fuseguide, CarPlay 6CP - OEM way
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12-03-2024, 03:33 PM	#4
stbm5 Captain 680 Rep 962 Posts Drives: 2018 M5 DG Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: 72211 iTrader: (0)	my thought too. looks bad. can't imagine trying to polish that either.
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12-03-2024, 04:24 PM	#5
scubajim Second Lieutenant 143 Rep 226 Posts Drives: 16 BMW 435 F33 Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Milford CT iTrader: (0)	Someone sprayed a cleaner or chemical on it and damaged the plastic. I really don't think you can clean that off. Since there isn't much hope, you can try to polish it with a multi-step process. Is it touch screen? That may lead to bigger issues if you polish? __________________
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12-03-2024, 04:31 PM	#6
jkj New Member 5 Rep 26 Posts Drives: N55 335i Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	Bought used no idea what to try. It’s weird it’s only at the top. Any thoughts on what to try?
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12-03-2024, 07:42 PM	#7
stbm5 Captain 680 Rep 962 Posts Drives: 2018 M5 DG Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: 72211 iTrader: (0)	it looks to me that previous owner really screwed it up. i have no experience with this particular scenario but you could try a very fine polish on a small area and see if you can make any progress, if you do then polish the whole thing. what year is the vehicle? i wonder if that part is replaceable???
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12-03-2024, 09:47 PM	#8
MJBO Colonel 4672 Rep 2,076 Posts Drives: 2023 G81 M3 Touring Join Date: May 2012 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2025 Volkswagen Tou ... [0.00] 23 BMW M3 Touring [10.00] 08 AM V8 Vantage Ro ... [10.00] 22 Toyota LC 300 [10.00]	Looks toast, those screens have coatings on them to reduce reflections and it looks like whatever chemical has been used on it has damaged that coated. Every chance you'll have to replace the unit.
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12-04-2024, 08:12 AM	#9
icj_45e Private First Class 157 Rep 154 Posts Drives: 23 X5 45e Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	maybe try a clay bar??
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12-04-2024, 09:35 AM	#10
zx10guy Brigadier General 5880 Rep 3,440 Posts Drives: 2013 135i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	Reminds me of the damage caused on plasma TVs would get when people use any chemicals on the the screen. Plasmas have an anti-reflective coating on them and are only cleaned with distilled water and a microfiber towel.
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12-05-2024, 01:43 PM	#11
TboneS54 YNWA 1354 Rep 1,065 Posts Drives: '04 M3 6MT, '11 M3 DCT, '22 X7 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2)	I would would try to polish a small area (maybe top corner) by hand (mf towel) using a weak liquid polish like a plastic polish (mothers/meguiar's) or final polish type product. If no improvement at all, I wouldn't go further. Leave it as-is or replace. __________________ /// 2004 Silvergrey M3 · Coupe · 6MT · Slicktop · zero options /// 2011 Jerez/Bamboo E90 M3 · DCT · Slicktop · IG: @na.s54
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12-05-2024, 04:17 PM	#12
scubajim Second Lieutenant 143 Rep 226 Posts Drives: 16 BMW 435 F33 Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Milford CT iTrader: (0)	Try the Meguiar's PlastX. __________________ Last edited by scubajim; 12-09-2024 at 03:42 PM..
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12-06-2024, 03:33 AM	#13
Herofmine Captain 791 Rep 1,042 Posts Drives: E92M3, F10535i, 15 M5,340i,X5M Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dallas iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 BMW M3 [0.00] 2022 BMW M5 [8.83]	Alchol will make it worse, that screen is already damaged, you need to replace it.
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12-30-2024, 07:46 AM	#14
Zig613 Private First Class 201 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 2025 BMW Z4 30i & 2018 MX5 RF Join Date: Nov 2024 Location: Eastern Ontario (Canada) iTrader: (0)	If you are going to try polishing the screen I would look at NOVUS Plastic Polish. https://novuspolish.com/
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