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I havent seen this anywhere so I thought I would mention it. There is a C7 Corvette facebook page. Several folks there mentioned using a steamer on their 3LT dash. The heat and steam softens the glue and can also shrink the leather and for the most they say their dash looks good again. No mention so far how its holding up though. I may try this and if it fixes 90% of the lifted leather it will be worth it
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I guess it's worth a try - especially if you are out of warranty and the replacement would be on your dime. Just hope it would not damage the dash any more than it already is.
Don't want to hijack this thread, but is it generally thought that cars sitting out in the hot sun are more likely to have this problem? I just bought a 2015 3LT and the dash looks great - but it was more or less a garage queen. I know there has been a lot of discussion about this and I have read some of it. Didn't seem to be a consensus on the cause.
Baking and shrinking in the hot sun and then steaming to restore the shape seems to make sense.
Don't want to hijack this thread, but is it generally thought that cars sitting out in the hot sun are more likely to have this problem? I just bought a 2015 3LT and the dash looks great - but it was more or less a garage queen. I know there has been a lot of discussion about this and I have read some of it. Didn't seem to be a consensus on the cause.
Baking and shrinking in the hot sun and then steaming to restore the shape seems to make sense.
Though mine is by no means a “Garage Queen” because I drive her, but mine rarely sits for long periods in the sun and I have the dash problem. So, heat surely is related in a lot of cases, but I’m sure there are some where it isn’t.
If anyone tries the steam method, please report your result. I’d hate to see it actually do more harm than good.
Last edited by stevettec7; Nov 15, 2020 at 12:43 AM.
To try this super wet a towel and place a hot iron on it momentarily while the towel is over the bubble.
Doesn't take but a few seconds for the iron and towel to produce a lot of steam.
This method can also be used to remove dings from wood floors and furniture..
I rebuild old Chris Craft wood boats and use this method to remove small dings in the hull.
To try this super wet a towel and place a hot iron on it momentarily while the towel is over the bubble.
Doesn't take but a few seconds for the iron and towel to produce a lot of steam.
This method can also be used to remove dings from wood floors and furniture..
I rebuild old Chris Craft wood boats and use this method to remove small dings in the hull.
Great tip ! I've used the "wet towel" method outside in the hot summer sun on new leather seat skins. It takes time but works great.. They turned out really nice.
I used the following tools to try and repair mine. My separation was only at the edge of the defroster vent.The leather really can't be stretched but it can be manipulated. I bought several detailing syringes, fabric cement and forceps. Grabbing the edge of the leather, lifting and pulling gently I would inject the glue directly onto the dash and then lower the leather onto it. The cement is quick dry so I only had to hold it in place for a bit. It is perfect? No. Will it hopefully mitigate further de lamination? I certainly hope so. Here are the tools used.
Today I went to auto upholstery shop recommended by my service writer. I trust him. They looked at the dash and said the only way to repair it is to tear it apart. He said steam would probably make the leather shrink which is what has caused the problem already. But the leather GM uses isn't really a hide but some concoction they made. So I will probably end up buying a steamer and trying it myself. It already looks like crap I cant hurt it much more. I'll get pics when I do it.
Today I went to auto upholstery shop recommended by my service writer. I trust him. They looked at the dash and said the only way to repair it is to tear it apart. He said steam would probably make the leather shrink which is what has caused the problem already. But the leather GM uses isn't really a hide but some concoction they made. So I will probably end up buying a steamer and trying it myself. It already looks like crap I cant hurt it much more. I'll get pics when I do it.
3LT Dash fix
