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240 What is this weird coating on the late 240 instrument cluster?

IansPlatinum

Active member
Joined
Jul 23, 2018
Location
Texas
This is how mine looked before I tried (with limited success) to clean it off with denatured alcohol. This pic is from a 240 in Craigslist, but I've seen a lot that looked like this. What is this stuff? Why does this happen? How do I best remove it to make the cluster look nice?

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The cluster on my new 91 was like that and it bugged me no end.

The odometer was broken too so I pulled the cluster out and while I had it apart I just washed the housing with soapy water (Dawn dishwashing soap), let it air dry then buffed inside and out with vinyl protectant. Looks much better now.
 
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My 91 240 has this too! How did you clean it? I don't really wanna be so invasive as to pull the cluster out...

That?s the only way. It?s very easy. You?ll remove the cluster, then remove the PCB from the cluster, then clean the insides out with your choice of cleaner and a rag.
 
It smells bad too. But the frequency that I find the late clusters looking like that in Texas (nearly all of them) makes me think otherwise, or perhaps the cluster coating is just extra susceptible to it?? Maybe it has some polymer/hydrocarbon/paint coating made from an organic extract that encourages mold growth? I can't help but to wonder. Maybe someone on here knows

I'll try soap and water. I had tried alcohol and q tips with so-so results. I gotta pull it back out to install the large tach anyways.

How do I avoid smudging the white lettering? Q tip time again?
 
Mine had that too, not nearly as bad though. Definitely not mold, whatever plastic was used just doesn't seem to age well. A light buff removed it for me
 
It smells bad too. But the frequency that I find the late clusters looking like that in Texas (nearly all of them) makes me think otherwise, or perhaps the cluster coating is just extra susceptible to it?? Maybe it has some polymer/hydrocarbon/paint coating made from an organic extract that encourages mold growth? I can't help but to wonder. Maybe someone on here knows

I'll try soap and water. I had tried alcohol and q tips with so-so results. I gotta pull it back out to install the large tach anyways.

How do I avoid smudging the white lettering? Q tip time again?

Just do all the black parts carefully first and it'll look much better. Use a wash cloth, it will be abrasive eenough. Maybe some dawn water or some degreaser. Do the white lettering last, but be more gentle.
 
Mine has something similar too but mine looks like it's on the clear plastic not the black surround. It bugs me too. But not enough to take it apart to clean it but maybe I will once day.
 
This was normal on the 240's before 1992 from what I can tell. They phased it out at the same time as the chrome door handles.

Caveat: I was negative three years old when the 240 was discontinued. So I might be wrong.

I've read something to that affect before, though, although I can't seem to find it now...

If anyone here wants a cluster shell without the coating, I have three different ones from three different 1993's. I'd trade for earlier ones!
I actually liked the texture and the orange marker on the 55mph point so I put my wrecked '91's cluster shell into my '93 (swapped the electronics and faceplate over).
 
This was normal on the 240's before 1992 from what I can tell. They phased it out at the same time as the chrome door handles.

Caveat: I was negative three years old when the 240 was discontinued. So I might be wrong.

I've read something to that affect before, though, although I can't seem to find it now...

If anyone here wants a cluster shell without the coating, I have three different ones from three different 1993's. I'd trade for earlier ones!
I actually liked the texture and the orange marker on the 55mph point so I put my wrecked '91's cluster shell into my '93 (swapped the electronics and faceplate over).

My 92 has it and black door handles. I think the chrome handles and windshield trim went away in 90 or 91, but this cluster stuff is on my 92, which I'm 95% sure has the original cluster.
 
My 92 has it and black door handles. I think the chrome handles and windshield trim went away in 90 or 91, but this cluster stuff is on my 92, which I'm 95% sure has the original cluster.

Chrome windshield was removed after '90, and handles after '91 I think.

And I could very well be wrong, It's certainly a peculiar problem.

Still, only one of my four clusters has it, and I'm in a humid area because of the great lakes.
 
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