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I had my windows re-tinted last Thursday, 5% all the way around and 50% on the windshield. I just noticed today that my dash is curled up next to the bottom part of the windshield! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 Can this be fixed?? Is this from some chemical they used?? You can zoom in on this photo and see the dash curled up and this was the same afternoon that I picked it up
Sorry about your troubles, you should be able to fix it with upholstery glue for vinyl. You'll have to clean the dash and dash cover really well before you attempt it.
It is a 4LT - I don't know if they used a heat gun or if it was chemicals from the window tint...I've emailed them and sent pictures. I'm even more disappointed, mad, pissed, whatever adjective you want to give it, that they didn't tell me and just let me drive off in it!!
You just noticed that? Meaning it wasn’t like that before, and it wasn’t like that after you picked up the car from the tint shop? If so, my first phone call would be to the tint shop to find out what they used on your windshield. My next call would be to a couple auto upholstery shops to get quotes to fix it, then back to the tint shop with the quotes.
You’re going to need to remove the dash, which isn’t hard to do. Take about an hour and a half or so, http://www.kawal.net/Dash%20Replacement.htm.
You can attempt to fix if yourself, but still have to remove the dash. Good luck.
That is a real shame that this has happened to too many 4LT dash covers, and GM did nothing about it unless it was in the warranty period. I'm curious as to if the old windshield had actually pinched that portion so as to keep it down. That may be hard to reglue with the windshield in place, but no doubt doable by removing the dash as mentioned.
Good Luck
Last edited by 4SUMERZ; Apr 18, 2021 at 10:00 PM.
Reason: corrected
I drove it home and parked it in the garage because the tint had to cure. And yes, I JUST NOTICED it today when I got it out. Below are BEFORE pictures.
That is a real shame that this has happened to too many 4LT dash covers, and GM did nothing about it unless it was in the warranty period. I'm curious as to if the old windshield had actually pinced that portion so as to keep it down. Once the old one was removed, the cover lifted. That may be hard to reglue with the windshield in place, but no doubt doable by removing the dash as mentioned.
Good Luck
In addition to the poor adhesive used by GM, and very little of it, the leather at the front of the dash (windshield) is cut right to the edge of the dash. If it were actually wrapped around the edge and was stapled, like it is on the a-pillars, this wouldn’t happen.
Happened to me as well and it takes a couple of days for the damage to become apparent. The leather is ruined as the water used in the tint application process soaked into the leather at the edges of the dash. This damage cannot be repaired as it becomes hard as a rock & can only be replaced. You will have to have the dash pulled and new leather applied or I believe that you can still purchase the leather dash from GM in ebony, at least the part suppliers still list them, so hopefully they can supply them.
Instrument Panel - GM (22785407)
As stated, go back to the tint retailer ASAP to document the damage with them and see how they would like to proceed.
1603324275]That is a real shame that this has happened to too many 4LT dash covers, and GM did nothing about it unless it was in the warranty period. I'm curious as to if the old windshield had actually pinced that portion so as to keep it down. Once the old one was removed, the cover lifted. That may be hard to reglue with the windshield in place, but no doubt doable by removing the dash as mentioned.
Good Luck
He never said he had the windshield removed, just tinted.
Last edited by 2008 Corvette; Apr 18, 2021 at 09:55 PM.
The 4LT dash is nice, but I am so glad I don't have it. Problem is any moisture will weaken the little bit of glue that was used during assembly. You can get it repaired, but it's an expensive and difficult job. You either have to have the entire dash removed or you can attempt a repair by removing the windshield. Either way, good luck.
This is not an easy fix as the 4lt dashes are noted for this issue...I would agree that the tint shop caused this by soaking the affected area with water...take it back to the shop asap to document the problem & see how they want to procede
If a new dash is available from GM, get the new dash and swap them out. You can then probably pull the leather off your old dash, clean it up and sell it to recoup some $ (it’s just a standard dash under there).
About 1.5-2 hours to remove the dash & about an hour to put in the new one. Not difficult at all.
I would say living in S Florida, tinting places on every corner, and watching them at work, they use lot of solutions when installing tint, and your dash I would say 100% got wet, and damp. That could cause that, also hear the tinting shops says to keep it in the sun to dry, and not in garage.
If you might want it done right, after your windshield dries take it upholstery shop.
Your best solution would be to have the dash pulled, and the leather re-glued. I had that done on my ZR1. The tint on the windshield probably accelerated the issue. The tint shop will probably not want to remedy your problem, unless you get the suits involved. Good luck!
I agree it's going to be hard to get the tint shop to offer any reimbursement. All they have to do is a Google search and they'll see it's a common problem with the 4LT dash. However it's still worth a try. I'd pull the dash and not the window personally.
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Please help!!
