Dash board peeling?! Anyone experience this?

[Bruce03Silverado]

I was cleaning my dash board this weekend and noticed flakes on the towel I was using - I looked at the dash and dammit if the dash wasn't peeling!!! Whatever coating they put over the dash is peeling right off right around the vents at the base of the windshield!! My truck only has 15k miles on it, I use Zaino Z10 leather in a bottle w/UV 40 protectant and I use a sun screen in the windshield when it sits outside in the hot sun! There's no reason it should be doing that! It's onlt getting worse and I have a feeling they will have to replace the dash! Is that a large undertaking?! I'd like to see what excuse they come up with to try and deny this one!

 

Anyone else ever have this problem?

[lrymal]

First off, the top part of the dash--the big thing--is easy to remove. Not a major project at all.

 

But, playing the devil here, I'd wonder if any of the protectants and cleaners could be damaging?

 

On my '03 Z71, I have never used anything harsh---just water with diluted dish-washing soap, and followed that by a sprayed water-only mist. The dash is not colored plastic, but plastic that has been painted. Sooo, my thoughts for all these years on vehicles is to clean the colored painted plastic with a cleaner that is friendly with paint.

 

For the most part, I just use a Hollywood Duster to keep the dust and junk off my dash.

 

So, with that all said, I'd approach the dealer with disbelief at what is happening, but be prepared for the worst: "You used WHAT??? to clean your dash!!!??" And if they pull THAT on you and refuse a warranty claim, you can fix this yourself for under $10.00. Just pull the top piece, clean it very good, then go to the auto store and get a near-color paint that is meant for plastic.

 

And, in my opinioin, it is not worth the aggravation of fighting the dealer over this. Try the warranty claim with vengeance, but don't go through phone calls and other blood pressure issues. It is just too easy to fix yourself and not worth the war.

[Bruce03Silverado]

I doubt it's the products I used. I've been using the same products on my GM dashes for 7yrs (I'm a Zaino distributor) and have NEVER had this happen to any other GM vehicle. From my 4 Camaro's, my 01 vette, the firehawk, Grand Prix, Blazer, etc.....all of those dashes were treated with the same products and NEVER had that peeling problem so I can tell you from experience it has nothing to do with the Zaino products. I will not let the dealer know that I put anything on there (they won't be able to tell anyway because the Zaino interior products are not greasy and do not provide a brilliant shine - simply clean and protect) because I want to avoid any conversations about how it could have happened.

 

It is peeling around the edges that the vents fit into.

[lrymal]

It is peeling around the edges that the vents fit into.

I'm thinking the dealer will warranty this thing, but I always assume the worst, hence the tone of my last letter. But, General Motors used to use colored plastic for their trim and in the past few years, they are now using plastics that are painted.

 

Just for a side-comment, my '03 Z71 sits in the Texas sun with no protection on the dash and has been doing so for nearly two years. No peeling events on its dash defroster vents area, YET. Note the word, YET.

[Bruce03Silverado]

The only thing I can figure is that for some reason the paint just didn't stick very well in those areas. I have no idea what could have caused this other than the paint is just flaking off. In all honesty I just want the dash replaced before it gets so bad there are paint chips flying everywhere. We'll see what the dealer says.

[lrymal]

Keep us informed......... I think we all need to know what the ultimate solution ends up being, in spite of it being at the expense of your experience.

[Bruce03Silverado]

Will do - just made the appointment - couldn't get it there until Monday so I will let everyone know once I hear back from them. Thanks!

[seadoons]

I have an '02 and had the same problem, sort of. What color is your interior? Mine is tan. I think they take the plastic parts that are the correct color for a truck with dark gray interior and paint them tan...I have never used any type of cleaners, protectants, etc. on my dash and I park in a parking garage at work, so this truck has never been in the sun in the 2.5 years I have owned it. I had the same problem as you are having...on the dash bezel (the big piece that goes around the radio, AC controls, vents, gagues, etc.) the tan starting peeling off on the top part of it (right where it meets up with the dash board, above the radio.) My dealership replaced it with no questions asked - it was an easy fix. I have noticed now that there is a little spot of paint missing on the dash board itself (next to where it flaked off on the bezel), but I am way out of warranty and it is hardly noticable. I am just carefull when dusting off the dash to not rub anything over it that might make it worse!

 

They will replace it for you. I had it done for my dash, and I had my rear seat re-upholstered because the material was coming apart in places. It almost looked like cigarette burns, but I don't smoke, so that is impossible. They fixed this no questions asked as well.

 

Good luck! Let us know what happens.

[Bruce03Silverado]

Will do! Thanks! It's peeling right at the edges around the vents at the base of the windshield - you can literally see it flaking off the dash - my dash is gray or charcoal as it's called. The truck does see the sun but I always have a sun shade in the windshield and the Zaino treatment I use has a UV 40 protectant in it. It's got to be a defect because this is the first problem I have had like this with any of the GM dashes I have had in the past. I'll let you know what happens!

[asilverblazer]

I know of at least two other trucks doing that. Mine and a cousins mine with charcoal interior and his with tan. If pulling the dash off and painting it isn't that hard I'm sure to add that to my to do list. Irymal maybe so more details on removing the dash?

 

 

Please.

[budhayes3]

My 99 is doing that too (grey interior). It is peeling on the dash pad right behind the radio/instrument cluster bezel, and around the little vents that you see on the sides of the dash when you open the doors. I never used any protectants on it...mild soapy/damp rag and California dash duster. It isn't real bad yet...but you know it'll only get worse. Too bad, no more warranty for me.

[tryn2lrn]

Information on getting the top of the dash off would be great. My dads 00 is peeling in front of the passengers grab handle. A large section between the windshield and the grab handle is cracked and peeling. It would be nice if I could fix it for him

[99Silver6.0]

ArmorAll and STP are bad news on those painted dashes. After I had the dash replaced I started using 303 Protectant/Cleaner and Ive never had the peeling problem again.

[silverado3500]

Heck if your going to go to the trouble of repainting it, why not have some fun with it. I'd consider doing something custom, like painting it to match your exterior color. Just a thought.

[ArroyosecoFarm]

My 2004 GMC owners manual says very clearly not to use commercial stuff on the dash. It says only a damp cloth. I would quit using that Zaino stuff if I were you.