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
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-03-2024, 03:11 PM	#2
stbm5 Major 824 Rep 1,115 Posts Drives: 2018 M5 DG Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: 72211 iTrader: (0)	how'd it get that way?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-03-2024, 03:31 PM	#3
mrpingu Lieutenant Colonel 625 Rep 1,665 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, HELC Other mods: Central Locking button on both sides, Add extra trunk lights, Add Ambient Footwell and Door Pocket Lighting Other info: F48 Fuseguide, CarPlay 6CP - OEM way, 456 - X5 Comfort Seats in F48 X1
	Appreciate 2 Westside Guy10250.00 m3642.00 Quote

12-03-2024, 03:33 PM	#4
stbm5 Major 824 Rep 1,115 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.
	Appreciate 1 Westside Guy10250.00 Quote

12-03-2024, 04:24 PM	#5
scubajim Second Lieutenant 167 Rep 262 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? __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

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?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-03-2024, 07:42 PM	#7
stbm5 Major 824 Rep 1,115 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???
	Appreciate 1 Westside Guy10250.00 Quote

12-03-2024, 09:47 PM	#8
MJBO Colonel 5804 Rep 2,372 Posts Drives: BMW and Aston Martin Join Date: May 2012 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 26 BMW M3 CS Touring [10.00] 26 BMW X5 M60i [0.00] 2025 GWM Cannon Alp ... [0.00]	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.
	Appreciate 1 Westside Guy10250.00 Quote

12-04-2024, 08:12 AM	#9
icj_45e Private First Class 158 Rep 154 Posts Drives: 23 X5 45e Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	maybe try a clay bar??
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-04-2024, 09:35 AM	#10
zx10guy Brigadier General 6182 Rep 3,587 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.
	Appreciate 1 Westside Guy10250.00 Quote

12-05-2024, 01:43 PM	#11
TboneS54 YNWA 1527 Rep 1,204 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
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-05-2024, 04:17 PM	#12
scubajim Second Lieutenant 167 Rep 262 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..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-06-2024, 03:33 AM	#13
Herofmine Captain 1038 Rep 1,166 Posts Drives: E92M3, F10535i, 15 M5,340i,X5M Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dallas iTrader: (3) Garage List 2012 E92 M3 [0.00] 2022 BMW M5 [9.00]	Alchol will make it worse, that screen is already damaged, you need to replace it.
	Appreciate 1 Westside Guy10250.00 Quote

12-30-2024, 07:46 AM	#14
Zig613 Private First Class 351 Rep 195 Posts Drives: 2025 BMW Z4 30i 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/
	Appreciate 0 Quote