Like many others I had problems with the area behind the HUD bubbling up as well as the Upper Dash Trim bubbling. The upper dash trim is
easily removed and can be replaced for a little more than 360.00. The bubbling of the black area behind the HUD is much more difficult and requires removal
of the dash. I had been offered a 1/2 price goodwill replacement, which would still be a little more than 1700.00.

Having nothing to lose, I removed the upper dash trim to experiment. Removing the trim meant I could see any possible damage I may do quickly, but to also
make it easier to work.

I did not take any photos as I worked, my bad, but those that have the bubbling will know what I am talking about.

Tools used: A small squeegee used to smooth XPel or any PPF. The squeegees are very smooth and heat resistant. They are also very slick, so little drag on the leather.
Hair dryer. Heat guns are much hotter, and I felt too much of a risk.

I placed the upper dash trim in my lap and heated the leather with the hair dryer on high. This took very little time as I moved the dryer evenly back and forth, to evenly
heat the leather.
Using the squeegee, I pushed the bubbles towards the stitching on the leather. The bubbles moved easily. Now I smoothed the leather with side by side strokes
always pushing towards the seam. The bubbles disappeared as the leather is pushed back to the substrate. This whole process took 1-2 minutes. Allow to cool.

There was no heat damage to the leather, and the finished product looked new. I could have done the repair with the trim in place and not removed it.

The area behind the HUD worked just as well. I heated the area with the hair dryer from the sides. I did not want large amounts of heat moving towards the windshield. It probably
should not effect it, but these windshields are not thick and who knows.
While heating the area, I pushed the bubbles to the closest edge, left and right. The bubbles smoothed out completely. Time to complete: again 1-2 minutes.

The repaired areas have been in the sun and heat, high and lower humidity, and somewhat lower temperatures, and nothing has returned. The repair has held so far for
two weeks. I waited this long to post the results just to see if it would be fixed, at least for the short term.

The heat may have re-activated the adhesives, to allow the leather to re-attach.
For those with the bubbling, give it a try.


Fusion Pink turbo ppf squeegee

 

Would you be kind enough to take a picture of the upper trim so I know what part you’re referring to specially? -Thanks

 

It will be a few days, but I will try to get a picture.

 

nice job.. idk why i didn't think to ****** up the dash off my buddy's 2016 that was replaced. dealer put it in the scrap heap.. if i cared enough i could have experimented on it!

 

Congrats on your fix method. Hope it stays in place for a long time.

 

Thanks. It is a long term experiment.

 

I'm part of the "dash bubble" club and had mine replaced under warranty. I've thought about what to do if it comes back. No way I'd spend the $$$ out of my own pocket. I hope your solution lasts. Or if at the end of the day you need to spend 5 minutes every 6 - 12 months to do this its no big deal.

 

Thanks for the heads up.

 

I would like it to last forever, but I agree with you. If I have to do the same thing every so often, so be it.

 

Ridiculous GM isn't covering this 100%....

 

^^^
They are if you're under warranty. But after 3 years its usually a goodwill gesture for a %.

 

Subscribing

 

Thanks for the tip

I've often wondered if some kind of glue could be inserted thru the leather with a very fine / small needle. I am diabetic (T1) and thus deal with needles - they are so fine they don't leave a visible mark on your skin. Even if they did in leather I'd rather have a tiny hole then a big bubble.

My 3LT dash is good so far... but I've got a section of microfiber on the door that is pulling back / separated. I believe it was caused by using my elbow to push open the drivers door. I might try the heat trick in that spot.

 

Would a super glue flow through the fine needle, or would it require a thinner liquid?

 

I’ve tried what the op has described with my dash several time over the summer to the bubble I have on the passenger side where it has separated in the curve above the airbag with no longevity. Haven’t gone to dealer as I’m a 2015 and out of warranty. I’m thinking if the dash grill pops out from above I could get some mastic/glue in the void to fix it

 

Heads up -- I've talked to some of the best shops in the Midwest and they advise against the needle/glue method (they brought it up before I even mentioned DIY) -- They state it will end up making it worse, and the glue will likely dry in a hardened fashion, leaving lumps/weird spots.

If someone has success, great, but I'd avoid this method unless you are SURE you can spread the injected glue thin.

 

Good to know.

 

Sorry about the delay. The upper dash trim is the Kalahari piece in front of the steering wheel.


Kalahari upper dash trim

 

I appreciate you following up with this. I have Kalahari as well and love it! Mine is good everywhere except at the leading edge of the defrosted vent near the circled area.

 

Is it bubbling, separated, or what?