Modern Vespa

Hi,
Has anyone changed a polarizing film on LCD display? I have a GTS 2006 250ie and the LCD display for the instrument is now hard to read. Especially during the daytime. The picture looks much better than I can see actually.
I tried to find out how to fix this issue, but I couldn't find any DIY except replacing an entire speedometer. So, now I am thinking that replacing a polarizing film on the LCD display may fix this issue. But, I want to know it can really fix this issue before I starting this.
So, has anyone tried to change a polarizing film? or Any suggestion or advice?
Thank you.

I've tried to repair many an LCD, with very little success. If it comes to taking them apart the chance of fixing them is nil. 🙁

I've read that heating them with a hair dryer sometimes works. If you've got nothing to lose, give it a try. 🤔

The problem was probably brought on by heat - especially if the scoot has a windscreen and it was parked at the 'wrong' angle w.r.t. the sun.

Thank you for replying.
Jimc:
I don't have a windscreen.. I think I left my vespa too long under the sun (above 5 years).

JKJ-FZ6:
It's hard to see in the picture, the polarizing film on the LCD display is torn. So I'm not sure a hair dryer can help even this case. But thank you for the tip. By the way, could you advice me what I need to be careful to repair an LCD?

Thanks.

Well, if you can get a piece of polarizing film you could give it a try. All I can advise is don't get fingerprints on it and don't allow air bubbles or dust under the film. Avoid disconnecting the electrical connections to the LCD. Good luck! 8)

If you find a solution let me know because my 2006 is also hard to see with the same sort of hazy section.

Suns a bitch. My Vespa logo on my cluster used to black, it's now gray. Sun's destroyed the black paint on it. My scooter isn't in the sun that much. I keep it in my RubberMaid shed or under the house (on stilts) when it's cooling down after a ride. Can't imagine what it would look like if it wasn't.

I had similar dimmed lcd making hard to read at sunlight - did anyone fix this issue other that changing the whole block ?

Had similar issue with dimmed LCD screen on a GTS250ie - advices welcome if it could be fixed other than buying a new Blick

This is what I found - is this can be done on a Vespa ?

I've been frustrated with my faded panel on my 250 GTS for quite a while and finally took the time to do something about it. Came across this thread and got inspired by the last video posted on replacing the polarizing film on the LCD.

I bought an adhesive polarizing film and opened the dash panel and took out the LCD. I also had similar line cracks to the OP and was worried. Happened that those were cracks on a clear protective sheet on the bottom as well as a diffusor sheet behind the bottom polarizing sheet. I peeled off the polarizing sheet from top and bottom (as well as connected diffusor). Throughly cleaned the LCD. With a new polarizing sheet on top it was like I had a completely new LCD.

The polarizing sheet I have is not big enough to cut for both top and bottom, so I am waiting on a second sheet that I have ordered online. Once I have the second sheet I will put my headset back together and write a comprehensive post about my whole process with pictures and video.

Since my speedometer needle has also been faded I will also try to paint a fresh coat of reflective paint on it while the panel is open.

This is my 09 Gts250ie

I fixed mine. You will need to make 2 polarizers and a reflector. I used anti glare polarizers from ebay ~$8, and mirrored privacy film also from ebay $2. the proces is pretty simple. peel off both old films, clean glass, spray both the new film and glass with iso alcohol, then squeegie on the new film. finally apply the mirror to the back of the screen. I tried also using a red tinted film (red with black lettering) and reversing the polarizer orientation (black with clear lettering), however both were too hard to read in the sun.

Regular config

raceratb, your instrument cluster looks great!! Mind sharing links to the items you purchased to make this repair? I'm about to repair my screen as well. Thanks in advance!!

For the front polarizer:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F282887844888
Search: polarizing film lcd matte

This should be better for the rear:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F282518253190

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F303166064073
Search term: LCD polarizer back

I used 90 degree, the originals are 45 degree, but it doesn't matter since the film is oversized, and the alignment is relative to each other film.

Be sure to use lots of alcohol spray when applying the new films

Thanks for the parts list. Will tackle this project shortly!

Just a tip, wait several days before you reinstall or trim the edges, so you don't lift the edges. Also, make sure you fully trim back the edges or the pressure from the sides and clips will lift it. This is what the old polarizers looked like.

Completed this repair today and it worked like a charm. The old polarization filters were damaged due to excessive UV exposure. Photos of before and after included below. Now I can see the display in bright sunlight

Did you end up going with the rear polarizer with the silver or the reflective film

If I'm not mistaken, I believe I ordered the exact parts you mentioned which included the rear film with mirror/reflective backing. I used the rear film with the reflective backing, but I will say that it was still a bit transparent unlike the original rear film. Under bright light it has a bit of a yellow hue to it and not grey. I'll try to snap a photo of it when I'm outside.

Also if your interested, PM me your address and I would gladly mail you a film for you to use/try since I had to order a few as part of the minimum order.

I have instrument cluster off, speedo needle and gauge face off. What is the trick to remove lcd?

I don't know but it looks like those white tabs on the left of the LCD are shat you need to remove. There has to be an electrical connector behind it. have a look at the GTV 250 repair manual in the Wiki.

Miguel

Pull rewards the left(towards needle), but you don't need to lift out any more. It does take some force but not too much

Thanks fellas. Old film is off and I'm ready to add the new films...one one front, one on back plus reflector. Not sure about how to pick proper rotation for appearance.

If it is orientated to solid black, the lettering will appear silver, otherwise, the background will be silver and the lettering will be black. As long as you used one of the original film edges as a reference, you don't need to worry about angles. I would recommend waiting a day between layers for things to dry

All went great until accidentally dropping lcd onto the only screw laying on the workspace. Cracked. I reassembled everything and it looks great except for the damn crack. Any chance I can buy a new lcd? Maybe a used one would suffice?

Start calling dealers looking for a wrecked scooter that they can scavenge parts from.

I found the polarizing film. Do I need the back silver film. Can I us the mirrored back film they sell for phones. I am a novice. A little unclear after removing and installing front and back polorized film, the next step before putting back together. Thanks

While you don't technically need the reflector, it helps make the screen readable. I recently did a screen with a white backing, which comes out a bit gray. The phone over should be ok, or a silver vinyl. Just needs to be opaque enough for the back light

i found a defused for an iPad. I could cut to size. Would that work? Could the original be left on if intact? Thanks

You could skip replacing the rear polarizer if it's not too burnt. As for the iPad diffuser it might work, but can't say for sure

Are these defuses powered? I found iPhone rear defusers that look to have a power wire. Can I ask where you got yours, so I can order. Thanks

eBay search terms and links were posted. A diffuser is a backing that evens out light output from a back light. If you see wires, then it's likely a backlight. I used 1 way privacy mirror film, you could use silver vinyl also. Just hold it up to a light, if you can see light then it will work. You could use other colors too. But no matter what you do, the back light at night will be red

So I can just use silver one way mirror self stick with the silver side up? Thanks

Yes the mirror is on the adhesive side

Thanks very much. Stay safe

So just to clarify.
I need two sheets of polarized film and the then the mirrored back?
I just want to make sure I order the right stuff from eBay.

I am tired of the dimmed screen.

Thank you.

http://modernvespa.com/forum/post2383040?highlight=#2383040

This is the result of replacing the front sheet only. The rear looked fine. I tried turning the sheet to get the cleanest look before I put it on. What do you think I did wrong. It's red at night and has this dark ring blocking out numbers both during the day and at night. The photo is day time Thanks