I have noticed that on some of the 1981, to say- oh- about 1985 W126s that the black part of the instrument cluster (behind the cover) turns white, or spotted. I am wondering what causes this to happen on some models? Is it the sun (like where cars are parked where the sun shines on the cluster alot), or the moisture, or? What is this whiting? Discoloring, or something like mold growing? Any easy fix outside of replacing the cluster?

My 1985 W126 did not even have a hint of this problem, but some I have seen have it terribly. It may be on other model lines and years as well, but mostly I tend to see it on the early (81-85) W126s. There have been a couple of W126s I have been interested in that I have had this and to me, its not very appealing to look at.

Below is a photo of a 1982 W126 with this issue I am speaking of....


IN COMPARISON - here is the dash of my old 1985 W126 without the "hazing"....

Wow, I've never seen that before...my W126 cluster looks exactly like the second picture... Maybe it was something that was done intentionally by a previous owner?

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Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

Well, thats what I initially thought years ago when I started getting interested in these cars, then I started noticing it on others as well. Its not a common occurrence, but I have seen the same thing on others, but this is one of the worst I have seen.

Oh, I have not seen this in the 89s... the only ones I have seen this on are the 1981-85 models.

I'm guessing it's just badly deteriorated as the rubber strip at the bottom looks really white...

What happens when you rub it with your finger? Is it ashy?

__________________
Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

Not sure, I have never personally seen one in person like that... only in photos on some I have seen for sale on the internet. It looks chalky to me?

My old W126 was not like that at all. Mine was the one you seen in the lower photo.