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With all of the discussions about the leather shrinking and/or coming loose around the HUD box, defroster vent cover, and center speaker areas, do you thing there would be any benefit to proactively carefully remove those covers and then use a syringe to inject one of the recommended adhesives into the areas below where they are folded, before they start to shrink or come loose? Seems like those areas are the most susceptible to pulling up due to shrink. The bubbles are obviously a different (random) scenario. Would appreciate your thoughts. My 2016 3LT Z51 has the black dash with yellow stitching, and I don't think that one is available anymore if I needed to replace it. Thanks, Bob
If none of the leather has pulled away, I wouldn't do anything. This has been an issue on some 3LT/3LZ dashboards/interiors but not all of them. My 2019 3LZ dashboard is still looking good. A friend of mine has the original full Kalahari 3LT dashboard from 2015 and his is also still looking new with no leather issues.
Bob - just sharing my personal experience and by no means consider myself an expert but hopefully you are as fortunate as I have been with getting a great car with a problem-free dash. I have a 2016 Z06 with 3LZ interior (black dash with red stitching), live in Texas where the last two summers I have measured consistent temperatures over 170 degrees on the windshield and my dash is absolutely perfect. I use a good sunshade, have a UV/heat clear tint on the windshield, and I have never applied any type of coating on the leather dash, only light dusting with a damp cloth as needed. All this to say my recommendation is to get yourself a good sunshade and maybe UV/heat clear tint the windshield if you are in an area with extreme heat.
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I would agree that if your dash has not exhibited any delamination yet, just leave it alone. While a number of owners have had the problem, not all have and it is hard to say if yours will show a problem or not.
Thank you all for your thoughts and I do have a good sunshade that gets used whenever the car sees sunlight! I live in Ohio and we don't typically have extreme hot weather - at least not yet! Right now, my dash is not showing any delamination or bubbles .... I hope I didn't just jinx myself saying that.
I agree with the bomber crew chief--let sleeping dogs lie. I have a 2015 3LT with no issues so far. I believe that IF the leather dash was to start pulling away, it would have already done so by now.
Save the wave, don't text and drive,
I also have a 2015 3LT will full Kalahari dash and no issues at all and it looks like new. Granted, I am a bit worried based on everything I read on this forum, but the issue clearly doesn't apply to all 3LT dash's....at least not yet.
Welp, looks like I'm going to have to make a fix before it gets too bad. I didn't want to start a new thread for this though.
I bought some 3 CC, 23 gauge syringes and some Bish's leather and fabric repair adhesive today.
My dash is starting to come up at the edge/stitching near the windshield vent.. about an eight inch section. Fortunately it's not anywhere lower down creating any bubbles. I can actually pull up and get my finger under most of the separation so I think I should be able to get right under the stitching without even having to poke through the leather. I may need to find a way to weigh down that section until the glue dries.
Believe me I feel for you, I’m going through the same thing with my 14’ 3lt I have the adrenaline red dash. It’s mostly okay but coming up around the dash vents. It doesn’t bother me for now but I’m gathering information on how to treat going forward. Silly that this is something we have to worry about, but with a little love I suppose we can make em look new again. Good luck with yours!
I just did the complete dash replacement. It is not and easy job. The leather issue is hit and miss. Some have it and some dont. There is nothing saying when it will or wont happen. Just a horrible supplier issue with GM. Do not pull that leather up if it isnt loose. One it pulls up and shrinks there is no bringing it back. About $4k to have a dealership do the dash and then you have to hope for someone that will treat your car with respect. If you have any questions on the dash replacement feel free to message me. Will help anyone that I can.
I just replaced my dash and am going to get one of the new Expel windshield UV blockers which reduce UV and internal heat.
That was a suggestion an upholstery shop gave me when I was shopping and came across a 3LT car.
He said not guaranteed to save a dash from coming loose, but it should help.
Best to replace (if you want a good job with no future creep). Here is my progress, new one in waiting on some upgrade parts. New MGW short throw shifter should arrive today and seat fitment will be next after this "minor" project done. LOL
I just did the complete dash replacement. It is not and easy job. The leather issue is hit and miss. Some have it and some dont. There is nothing saying when it will or wont happen. Just a horrible supplier issue with GM. Do not pull that leather up if it isnt loose. One it pulls up and shrinks there is no bringing it back. About $4k to have a dealership do the dash and then you have to hope for someone that will treat your car with respect. If you have any questions on the dash replacement feel free to message me. Will help anyone that I can.
Holy crap, I can’t imagine trying that. My leather is lifting at the center vent section. Going to try glue. I think if I were to go full replacement, I’m out of warranty, I would do a body shop. They are used to this stuff. Dealership…not thinking they have done many. I wouldn’t want some guys first attempt to be my dash.
Most dealerships, not all, have Corvette certified technicians. They have computer access to the GM step by step details on how to remove the dash, the tools, and the training (probably experience, too) to do the job properly. I would trust them to do the job versus an independent shop. Just do your homework and find a dealership with a Corvette certified technician. One option for you would be to remove the windshield and have a leather shop repair the area that's lifting. It's been done before with pretty good success.
3LT Dashboard Question
