Dash Bubble
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 29
From: Lakewood Ranch Florida
Dash Bubble
I have a new '16 coupe with 3LT for about 2 months now. Recently noticed a small bubble or wrinkle in the material (leather?) on the top of the dashboard, just to the right of the heads up display projector, directly in front of the steering wheel. Kind of like a tiny patch of loose skin.
Will it get worse or larger over time? How should this be repaired?
If it involves dash removal or replacement by a local dealer, I'm inclined to let it be - out of fear that things could go very wrong in the process. After all, as a buddy said...."it gives the car character". But it does annoy me....the car is otherwise pristine. What to do, what to do?
Will it get worse or larger over time? How should this be repaired?
If it involves dash removal or replacement by a local dealer, I'm inclined to let it be - out of fear that things could go very wrong in the process. After all, as a buddy said...."it gives the car character". But it does annoy me....the car is otherwise pristine. What to do, what to do?
Last edited by carjo; Sep 14, 2016 at 01:00 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 489
From: Leonardtown Maryland
Is the bubble there all of the time? My C6 has bubbles that sometimes appear on the A pillars when I am out and the sun is strong. After the material cools it smooths back out. I'm inclined to let it go just like you because of possible collateral damage. Thanks for the info as it gives me something to check for when I am out looking at C7's.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 149
From: Earth
I have a new '16 coupe with 3LT for about 2 months now. Recently noticed a small bubble or wrinkle in the material (leather?) on the top of the dashboard, just to the right of the heads up display projector, directly in front of the steering wheel. Kind of like a tiny patch of loose skin.
Will it get worse or larger over time? How should this be repaired?
If it involves dash removal or replacement by a local dealer, I'm inclined to let it be - out of fear that things could go very wrong in the process. After all, as a buddy said...."it gives the car character". But it does annoy me....the car is otherwise pristine. What to do, what to do?
Will it get worse or larger over time? How should this be repaired?
If it involves dash removal or replacement by a local dealer, I'm inclined to let it be - out of fear that things could go very wrong in the process. After all, as a buddy said...."it gives the car character". But it does annoy me....the car is otherwise pristine. What to do, what to do?
At least get the issue documented with GM to be safe.
Last edited by LPE385; Sep 14, 2016 at 06:58 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,612
Likes: 493
From: brooklyn ny
If it's a very small bubble. Try taking a pin and poking a whole in it. Add a little crazy glue to that pin get underneath the surface and smooth it out. You'll never see the pin whole and it should do the trick. I would rather do this than have the dealer replaced the whole dash which you know will never be as good or tight as when it came off the assembly line. I work with leather and leather like materials all the time. This will work if the bubble isn't to big.
But no help!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 29
From: Lakewood Ranch Florida
Is the bubble there all of the time? My C6 has bubbles that sometimes appear on the A pillars when I am out and the sun is strong. After the material cools it smooths back out. I'm inclined to let it go just like you because of possible collateral damage. Thanks for the info as it gives me something to check for when I am out looking at C7's.
Yes, the appearance changes when the car has been parked in the sun for awhile. However, other advice here leads me to think I will report it to dealer and if repair involves only the replacement of a dash "top" and they don't have to mess with gauges, wiring, etc. etc. then I will go for it.
I also appreciate your similar thoughts on fear of collateral damage involved in some dealer repairs. A hazard in the Corvette world (and I hate to say, elsewhere).
Last edited by carjo; Sep 14, 2016 at 09:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 29
From: Lakewood Ranch Florida
Guys,
Thanks for all the good advice (except you, You know who.). I'm hopeful that the repair will be minor and I can make my headache the service department's headache.
Carjo
Thanks for all the good advice (except you, You know who.). I'm hopeful that the repair will be minor and I can make my headache the service department's headache.
Carjo
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: SW Florida
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carjo
I just had mine replaced today on 2014 3LT. Same bubbles, one on each side of heads up display. It took less than 15 minutes. The part is called a hood and is held on by clips. This is the second time it was replaced. First time when the car was new. There was a blob of glue from some assembly step that could not be cleaned off. Take it to the dealer and have them order a new part. No worries of issues from taking the dash apart for the repair.
I just had mine replaced today on 2014 3LT. Same bubbles, one on each side of heads up display. It took less than 15 minutes. The part is called a hood and is held on by clips. This is the second time it was replaced. First time when the car was new. There was a blob of glue from some assembly step that could not be cleaned off. Take it to the dealer and have them order a new part. No worries of issues from taking the dash apart for the repair.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 29
From: Lakewood Ranch Florida
carjo
I just had mine replaced today on 2014 3LT. Same bubbles, one on each side of heads up display. It took less than 15 minutes. The part is called a hood and is held on by clips. This is the second time it was replaced. First time when the car was new. There was a blob of glue from some assembly step that could not be cleaned off. Take it to the dealer and have them order a new part. No worries of issues from taking the dash apart for the repair.
I just had mine replaced today on 2014 3LT. Same bubbles, one on each side of heads up display. It took less than 15 minutes. The part is called a hood and is held on by clips. This is the second time it was replaced. First time when the car was new. There was a blob of glue from some assembly step that could not be cleaned off. Take it to the dealer and have them order a new part. No worries of issues from taking the dash apart for the repair.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,243
Likes: 4,618
From: Southwest Florida
UPDATE: I'm confused. Spoke to service advisor at my Chevy service of choice and was told the whole dash needed to come out to access the dash attachments in order to replace the part, and I had to leave the car with them for 5 days! Not exactly a 15 minute repair. Again, what to do, what to do?
Just curious, what are the diameters of the bubbles? You say they are near the HUD, can you actually see them from a normal driving position?
Can you provide pics so we can actually SEE what you are talking about. It will facilitate better feedback
Last edited by Maxie2U; Sep 30, 2016 at 04:17 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 514
Likes: 105
From: Georgia
UPDATE: I'm confused. Spoke to service advisor at my Chevy service of choice and was told the whole dash needed to come out to access the dash attachments in order to replace the part, and I had to leave the car with them for 5 days! Not exactly a 15 minute repair. Again, what to do, what to do?
Service advisor is clueless.
Had mine replaced, they did it while I waited. Was at the dealership for about an hour.
