Undergoing Full Dash Replacement
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: NC
Undergoing Full Dash Replacement
So the leather on my 3lt was already coming up around the vent by the window which looks like it shrunk. Evidently the only way to remedy this was to order a new dash and do a full dash replacement. I keep my car in the garage and when it's out and about I keep a sunshade up at all times.
I'm pretty terrified after seeing the inside of my car completely dismantled. Has anyone else had to go through this? Also how did it turn out?
This has also lead to another question. I've strictly followed the user manual of not using any leather product on the leather and only using a damp microfiber cloth. Should I have used some sort of leather conditioner? Is the manual wrong? What do you all do for your leather care?
Thanks!
I'm pretty terrified after seeing the inside of my car completely dismantled. Has anyone else had to go through this? Also how did it turn out?
This has also lead to another question. I've strictly followed the user manual of not using any leather product on the leather and only using a damp microfiber cloth. Should I have used some sort of leather conditioner? Is the manual wrong? What do you all do for your leather care?
Thanks!
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,106
Likes: 12,446
From: NE South Carolina
<p><br />Sounds like you've done everything you could. My 2014 3LT Kalahari wil be two years old in October and looks fine. It is also garaged but I don't do anything when parked in the sun but that is a small percent of the time.<br />You'll see most commenting nothing is needed since the leather is plastic coated. However I use Zaino leather cleaner and conditioner. Have only used perhaps 4 times. FWIW</p>
Last edited by Steve Garrett; Aug 14, 2015 at 12:31 PM. Reason: No need to re-quote the OP, especially if you're the next poster.
Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 586
Likes: 124
From: Florida
Unfortunately, you have good reason to be terrified. Although not with a C7, I had a full dash replacement on my new 1984 Vette. I had taken the car in for replacement of the liquid crystal instrument unit under warranty. The dealer scratched up the dash carrier in the process and I made them replace the entire unit. Big mistake. As with yours I went in to see how they were doing and saw pieces of my car all over the shop. Made me sick to my stomach. Nothing fit exactly right and you could see scuffs in places they made doing the job. Had a nightmare of squeaks and rattles after the job. Could not stand it and finally got rid of the car. The interiors on these cars were not made to be gutted and reassembled easily and few if any techs have done it or know how to do it right. I hope this does not happen to you but I am not optimistic.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 119
From: Bellevue WA
So the leather on my 3lt was already coming up around the vent by the window which looks like it shrunk. Evidently the only way to remedy this was to order a new dash and do a full dash replacement. I keep my car in the garage and when it's out and about I keep a sunshade up at all times.
I'm pretty terrified after seeing the inside of my car completely dismantled. Has anyone else had to go through this? Also how did it turn out?
This has also lead to another question. I've strictly followed the user manual of not using any leather product on the leather and only using a damp microfiber cloth. Should I have used some sort of leather conditioner? Is the manual wrong? What do you all do for your leather care?
Thanks!
I'm pretty terrified after seeing the inside of my car completely dismantled. Has anyone else had to go through this? Also how did it turn out?
This has also lead to another question. I've strictly followed the user manual of not using any leather product on the leather and only using a damp microfiber cloth. Should I have used some sort of leather conditioner? Is the manual wrong? What do you all do for your leather care?
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: NC
Figured out how to add pics below. First pic is of the leather coming up. The others is where the dealer was with install Thursday night.
I dont have my car back yet. They think it'll be ready Monday.
I dont have my car back yet. They think it'll be ready Monday.
Last edited by Shhhh; Aug 9, 2015 at 09:18 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Well, one thing's for sure, they're not really careful: putting stuff on top of a convertible 
, both "cloth" and not exactly strong, is a no in my opinion. What dealership is this?
, both "cloth" and not exactly strong, is a no in my opinion. What dealership is this?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 205
Likes: 65
Wow....^^^^^^
As they said, using the top of the car as a bench is just a kick in the nuts in my opinion... That's like going to a car show and leaning up against someone's car after you walk up and talk to them.... That's not professional and I'd show the service manager that picture.
As they said, using the top of the car as a bench is just a kick in the nuts in my opinion... That's like going to a car show and leaning up against someone's car after you walk up and talk to them.... That's not professional and I'd show the service manager that picture.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: NC
Ya I'm not a fan of that, but have pics for evidence in case something happens. The dealer is Randy Marion Chevy in NC. The service mgr knows, sees it, etc. They even have a cloth over the trunk with parts on it too. It's a bit unnerving to see it.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,106
There is a reason why rolling storage carts exist and that is where the removed parts should be sitting in an organized and protected manner. Putting easily damaged parts on a pad inside your trunk would be fine but using the car as a shelf is very poor practice.
Pro
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 535
Likes: 15
From: Missouri City, Texas
The top is made to handle 190 MPH winds and all kinds of weather including hail. How can putting a few light weight items on it hurt it? Better there than laying on a metal cart or the floor.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,106
Sliding a part with a sharp edge or protruding fastener will leave a mark or create damage, it is a good way to transfer grease, adhesive residue, or other foreign material to the top, putting a few parts there that may not hurt anything is the opening step towards filling in the unused spaces with more stuff that doesn't belong there. A good shop won't risk needless damage and this is a risk that doesn't need to exist.
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 136
From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
They'd be replacing the cloth top and anything else, if there's any sign of damage.
