What should I use to clean the gauge lenses?

We just brought home our 2025 CX-50 two weeks ago and we love it! However, today my husband used a microfiber cloth to wipe the gauge lens and it got scratched badly. Now we’re facing a $300 cost to replace it. My husband is really upset about this. What should we use to clean it safely?

Don’t replace the lenses. Just use PlasticX. Spending $300 on that is unnecessary.

Pace said:
Don’t replace the lenses. Just use PlasticX. Spending $300 on that is unnecessary.

Exactly! And don’t ever use a dry microfiber on it again.

Merrill said:

Pace said:
Don’t replace the lenses. Just use PlasticX. Spending $300 on that is unnecessary.

Exactly! And don’t ever use a dry microfiber on it again.

It wasn’t dry.

Optimum No Rinse is great. It won’t scratch and can be used inside and outside. It’s a staple in this forum.

Isan said:
Optimum No Rinse is great. It won’t scratch and can be used inside and outside. It’s a staple in this forum.

I actually prefer Opticlean for this because it’s even slicker than ONR.

I bought a rubber squeezable air blower for my car that is typically used for camera lenses. I already had one for my camera and thought it would be useful for my Mazda2’s infotainment display, gauge cluster, heads-up display, and the piano-black plastic around the gear shift. It was a good investment!

I have one of these and they work really well!

Giottos Rocket Air large

I really dislike how soft that plastic is; it scratches too easily. I found a Mazda procedure that shows how to clean without scratching, provided you’re using the right type of cloth.

It’s frustrating that Mazda has to train customers on something as simple as dusting without causing damage.

Sorry you’re dealing with this. I agree with the suggestions here: get a coating, replace it (and learn a technique that won’t scratch the new one), or just accept the scratches.

Don’t waste $300 on a replacement. Consider getting a PPF film that covers it, which will allow you to clean it without scratching.

Vesper said:
Don’t waste $300 on a replacement. Consider getting a PPF film that covers it, which will allow you to clean it without scratching.

Thanks! I will look into that.

I use detailing putty or gel. It comes in a small jar and you just take some out and gently roll it over the gauge and it dusts off nicely.

Replacing it is easy. The part probably costs around $100.

I use fluffy microfiber cloths, new ones, not old ones.

Kirby said:
I use fluffy microfiber cloths, new ones, not old ones.

Yeah, that’s what he used. He has a good supply since he owns a vinyl record shop.

Tallis said:

Kirby said:
I use fluffy microfiber cloths, new ones, not old ones.

Yeah, that’s what he used. He has a good supply since he owns a vinyl record shop.

Did he wet it first with a cleaner? I use a ceramic interior cleaner that protects plastics. Never wipe a plastic surface with a dry cloth.