Smudge on the Digital Dash mirror!

When I took delivery of my Prius on 2/15, I noticed that there was a smudge that blurred the digital display (it is in front of the fuel gage, actually) that is high on the dash.

Well, I've absently cleaned that area about three times since new, and it was always still blurry. I finally looked in there with a light. The smudge is on the MIRROR that reflects the info up into the dash. Seems a shame to take it in for this, and have somebody tear my entire dash apart to clean that one little bit of mirror - but then it also does bug me on a new $28k car to have to look through grime to see my gas gage! Damn.

So... does anybody have any good news for me about how it could possibly be much easier to get to that mirror than I'm imagining? My GPS mount already spans the MFD frame and the dash... that'll have to come back off, I'm sure - as a minimum.

Man....

 

Not sure I follow you. Wherever the print is, it cannot be cleaned from the OUTSIDE. There's the angled plastic "lens" that I can clean the outside of... and it APPEARS that the smudge is down on the mirror.

Yes, the car was definitely delivered this way. If I can't get in there to clean it, I sure can't get in there to smudge it! And yes, I certainly assume this would be covered under warranty.

 

Sprayed Windex on your *what*? You can spray Windex on your gage mirror from outside the dash?

I can clean the plastic angled lens just dandy. I can't reach the *MIRROR*... am I completely insane here, or just not understanding something????

 

Ah. My bad. The second instance of "lens" in the part you quoted should have said "mirror."

I'm calling the plastic lens the thing that you bonk if you try to reach for the digital numbers. The lens is the part that's supposed to keep the smudges off the mirror, for example. The plastic lens is the ONLY thing I can clean - and then only the outside. This lens is not the problem. I've looked at every angle imaginable, and a dirty mirror seems to be the answer... My lens, however, is clean. I should probably be calling it a plastic "window" since it isn't acting as a lens at all. Just a protector - you know - to keep the smudge on the mirror from accidentally wiping off.

But here's the rub. I've heard both here online, and via private communication that it is "easy" or at least "possible" to get in there and clean all that stuff without major disassembly. When asked for further clarification, I'm greeted with silence. Does anybody have any love for me here? Yup, I've got to make the decision about taking it in... and that's why I'm trying to figure out what might be involved. If there's a way I can do it here without full dash removal, I'm sure as heck going to skip the service visit!

 

Dang. Lost me. This IS hard to describe in words. I have no idea of any horizontal "lens."

And a vertical mirror!? Even more lost. The mirror I see is down there in the dash and appears to be at a 45 degree angle. But then maybe all these reflections are just playing tricks on me. Regardless - how are you cleaning ANYTHING behind the steeply-angled plastic part that I've been calling the lens? The part of the dash where the digital readout appears BEHIND.

Here I can help. Don't use ArmorAll, if this is what you mean! Get yourself some 303... and since you're trying to help me here, you don't even have to thank me later.

OK... here we go.
[Broken External Image]:http://www.darelldd.com/ev/images/prius/interior_dash/prius_gps05.jpg

What I'm calling the "lens" is the flat, but steeply angled plastic that you see here above the steering wheel and just below the bottom of the windshield. That is NOT horizontal or vertical. Somewhere inbetween. That I can clean just fine, as anybody with hands could. Just to the right of the red (seatbelt?) light is the digital display which is projected via mirrors into an image behind that "lens". On one of those mirrors (or perhaps something else) is a smudge that I cannot reach. HOW are others reaching in there? I've pulled up on the top dash plastic above the "lens" and I can clear maybe 1/4", but I'm afraid to go much further.

Help?

 

Dave wins! And... I actually AM insane it turns out. But that was caused by this crazy car. I finally found what you were talking about by looking into the car through the windshield! Surprise.

Finally found that myster yhorizontal mirror! And... no surprises... it has this huge smudge on it. The good news is that I can touch it, and feel it... but hell if I can clean it. I don't know what's on there, but it is on there GOOD! I've tried my best glass cleaner with my best glass-specific micro fiber towel. And I've rubbed harder than I'm comfortable with. I've tried spit and a fingernail. It ain't moving! When it is wet, it is more transparent, and less noticeable... but as soon as it dries, I'm back to where we were. It seems to be some sort of adhesive or something. I'm certainly glad this won't mean tearing the dash apart though! Sort of an odd design leaving a mirror right there. I'm surprised more people don't have issues with that thing getting icky.

Thanks Dave! Now... how do I clean Toyotagoo off it?!

 

It doesn't have much topography, but I can feel the texture difference with my finger. The smudge spot has less traction than the clean mirror. But it sure isn't going anywhere. I'll leave it until daylight at this point, but now I'm thinking that mirror just may need to be replaced.

Wow, when I look back at the posts everybody offered me here (with my new knowledge) the advice all makes sense now! I appreciate everybody's input... and guess I shouldn't blame you for assuming I was smart enough to know where that mirror REALLY was. :blink:

 

Yeah, at this point I have to figure out if I should cut my losses and easily demonstrate that *I* am not the responsible mirror-screwer-upper here. If I go at it with an SOS pad at this point, I may have a tougher time arguing my point.

I agree that solvent on a Q-tip and razor blade are the logical next steps, however... and I think I can try those with less than descructive results. This project sure would be easier if the windshield weren't in my way!