Cracked dashboard in '04 TL
04-01-2013, 12:24 AM
#1042
has anyone ever had a thought to cover it up with some type of carbon fiber vinyl? I was at my friend shop and he had different colors of caron fiber wrap with a layer of "felt" that was really soft. I might try to wrap the dash lol, if that doesnt work..i still have my dash cover that I bought.
04-01-2013, 06:30 AM
#1043
for the above posters...search is your friend. No shortage of threads on this:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/dashboard-covers-material-suites-our-cars-best-827508/
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/dashboard-covers-material-suites-our-cars-best-827508/
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TLDude876 (04-01-2013)
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04-01-2013, 09:11 AM
#1047
I mentioned it a few pages back. 3M has a leather Vinyl that looks pretty similar to our dash. it just takes someone brave enough to try to undertake the job. I quoted my post below.
has anyone ever had a thought to cover it up with some type of carbon fiber vinyl? I was at my friend shop and he had different colors of caron fiber wrap with a layer of "felt" that was really soft. I might try to wrap the dash lol, if that doesnt work..i still have my dash cover that I bought.
Someone needs to be brave and try some 3m Dinoc Vinyl. They offer the Vinyl with all sorts of textures and they all look great. There intended purpose is architectural, but im sure alot of you know, Dinoc Carbon Fiber is very popular among car enthusiasts.
They have Dinoc with a leather appearance. Im sure once the dash is removed, it wouldn't be that difficult to wrap with some patience and some spray adhesive.
Here is a link of a website that sells 3m leather vinyl if anyone wants to see what it looks like. the first item seems to be a good match for the 3G Dash
http://www.architonic.com/pmsht/leat...ish-3m/1188007
They have Dinoc with a leather appearance. Im sure once the dash is removed, it wouldn't be that difficult to wrap with some patience and some spray adhesive.
Here is a link of a website that sells 3m leather vinyl if anyone wants to see what it looks like. the first item seems to be a good match for the 3G Dash
http://www.architonic.com/pmsht/leat...ish-3m/1188007
04-01-2013, 10:57 AM
#1049
You can try to reqest a sample from here
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...696763741&rt=d
you can also view the rest of their leather vinyl below, but I remember looking through all the suitable replacements through second party websites that had better images and LE-1171 seemed to be the best fit as far as the grain and color is concerned.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...96763741&rt=c3
Screw it, I just placed an order for 5 black samples. Says I should have them in 7-10 business days. Ill lay them on my dash and let you guys know what looks best.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...696763741&rt=d
you can also view the rest of their leather vinyl below, but I remember looking through all the suitable replacements through second party websites that had better images and LE-1171 seemed to be the best fit as far as the grain and color is concerned.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...96763741&rt=c3
Screw it, I just placed an order for 5 black samples. Says I should have them in 7-10 business days. Ill lay them on my dash and let you guys know what looks best.
Last edited by Sutitan; 04-01-2013 at 11:05 AM.
04-01-2013, 11:54 AM
#1052
Hah, I know how you feel. Ive taken down/put up my sunshade up three times today (arrive at work, leave for lunch, arrive at lunch, leave back to work, arrive at work). I also religiously put 303 on every month. If I cant get a good 5 years out of this dash ill be happy. Hopefully ill be out of Florida in a big over a year from now so I wont have to worry about the sun as much.
04-01-2013, 01:26 PM
#1053
Dude, that was a factor I really hadn't considered. I had TOTALLY gotten "OVER" caring about putting up the shade. I mean, I still did it to keep the heat out, but not sweating it like I am now again.
We should form a support group...
We should form a support group...
04-01-2013, 09:42 PM
#1056
bad news,
we try to overlay a few big pieces of the wrap over the cracked..it does the job but you can see the crackline at different angle. We try light to dark color material and result were the same. The only option would bondo it down to smooth it out and wrap over it..too much work? hmmm.
we try to overlay a few big pieces of the wrap over the cracked..it does the job but you can see the crackline at different angle. We try light to dark color material and result were the same. The only option would bondo it down to smooth it out and wrap over it..too much work? hmmm.
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Sutitan (04-01-2013)
04-01-2013, 09:46 PM
#1057
I'm looking forward to getting my "Crack Dash Care Package" mailed out this weekend w/ pictures and the response it brings. But to be completely honest, I'm pretty much over this ordeal and Acura. This will be my last ditch effort and even if it yields good results, I'm highly unlikely to invest in another Acura in the future. The Dash topper is serving its purpose in the interim.
BTW, I'll be including your pics/story as well.
BTW, I'll be including your pics/story as well.
04-01-2013, 11:16 PM
#1058
Wait, you just tried some Vinyl out? What kind was it. Im sure the thickness plays a bit of a role. The textured architectual stuff is ussually a bit thicker then the flat black vinyl people use for there roofs and other panels.
But I possibly think I know what your saying. On cold mornings, the ridges on my dash seemed to almost protrude out. This a pic from a few months back, before I replace my dash
Attachment 111565
But I possibly think I know what your saying. On cold mornings, the ridges on my dash seemed to almost protrude out. This a pic from a few months back, before I replace my dash
Attachment 111565
bad news,
we try to overlay a few big pieces of the wrap over the cracked..it does the job but you can see the crackline at different angle. We try light to dark color material and result were the same. The only option would bondo it down to smooth it out and wrap over it..too much work? hmmm.
we try to overlay a few big pieces of the wrap over the cracked..it does the job but you can see the crackline at different angle. We try light to dark color material and result were the same. The only option would bondo it down to smooth it out and wrap over it..too much work? hmmm.
04-02-2013, 08:16 AM
#1059
^^^here is your other problem, guys...the cracks are not fixed...they will open and close with the temperature. On truly hot days, mine would seal themselves back up visually...so a permanent filler will not work.
In all honesty though, my dash mat was way worth it and it looked pretty stock when I had it installed.
04-02-2013, 12:45 PM
#1067
Well, if it makes you feel any better...I gave up pretty easy the first go around.
This time it worked...I'm thinking I might be right. They pay to avoid the collateral damage of the pictures/posts on FB/Twitter...since you already did, they're like, fk it, how many more pictures can he post.
This time it worked...I'm thinking I might be right. They pay to avoid the collateral damage of the pictures/posts on FB/Twitter...since you already did, they're like, fk it, how many more pictures can he post.
04-02-2013, 12:53 PM
#1068
Q('.')=O
iTrader: (1)
I'm looking forward to getting my "Crack Dash Care Package" mailed out this weekend w/ pictures and the response it brings. But to be completely honest, I'm pretty much over this ordeal and Acura. This will be my last ditch effort and even if it yields good results, I'm highly unlikely to invest in another Acura in the future. The Dash topper is serving its purpose in the interim.
BTW, I'll be including your pics/story as well.
BTW, I'll be including your pics/story as well.
In for updates. Are you sending it to Acura Client Services or a dealer?I sent an informative email with pics to my dealer about 2 weeks ago and still no reply. I would not at all be surprised if they read it and immediately moved it to the trash can.
04-02-2013, 01:18 PM
#1069
Chapter Leader (Houston)
iTrader: (7)
I agree my case was pure luck as I just mentioned it to the dealer one day and they hit me back with $365. This I think is unfair to others as I think acura should have some sort of standard approach to each case. Everyone should get a fair chance
04-02-2013, 01:24 PM
#1070
Well, like with most claims...there's a budget and a loss of money for a job on a 9 year old car can't be doled out that easily from a financial perspective. They have to run it through a risk reward formula...likelihood to hurt future sales, likelihood to recoup some of the money with future sales of parts/service to this customer, likelihood of this customer to buy another acura product...
Unfortunately, I'm learning that to keep a profitable business, you cannot also run an altruistic business that always does the right thing (at least not on the first try).
Unfortunately, I'm learning that to keep a profitable business, you cannot also run an altruistic business that always does the right thing (at least not on the first try).
04-03-2013, 09:51 AM
#1071
I have a 2005 TL that is doing the same thing, and a friend at work found this attorney that is filing a class action lawsuit against Acura since it is obviously a defect. They need 50 people. Their website is chariflaw.com, and the woman's name is Suzy. My friend's car is also doing this, and we sent photos of the cracks and filled out a form. Can't hurt.....since I don't have $500+ to spend on a dashboard, and don't feel like I should have to, having spent so much money with Acura already!! Good luck!! 
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TLDude876 (04-03-2013)
04-03-2013, 01:13 PM
#1072
I believe there is another attorney, also in South Florida trying to get a case started. I sent him a bunch of info and pictures, but Ive never heard a peep. My suggestion is to not bother with lawyers on this one. Acura is not the only car manufacturer dealing with dash cracking woes. Check out Dodge ram's dash cracking. The defect was present for more model years, and since the dash is hard plastic, it eventually ends up leaving giant gaping holes in the dash. There have been a few reports of the hard plastic being projected out from the dash, hitting the drivers. A bunch of people tried starting lawsuits, but I dont follow that issue close enough to really know if anything has happened. To my knowledge, nothing has.
At this point, the routine seems to be;
Talk to Acura -> Did you get what you want? -> If not, complain more -> Get it yet? -> Complain a bit more -> if Acura doesn't offer solutions you can either; get a dash mat, replace it yourself, ignore it.
Honestly, out of the seemingly hundreds of people here that have had the issue, I dont know of any that have gone through an alternative process with much success.
At this point, the routine seems to be;
Talk to Acura -> Did you get what you want? -> If not, complain more -> Get it yet? -> Complain a bit more -> if Acura doesn't offer solutions you can either; get a dash mat, replace it yourself, ignore it.
Honestly, out of the seemingly hundreds of people here that have had the issue, I dont know of any that have gone through an alternative process with much success.
04-03-2013, 01:38 PM
#1073
Q('.')=O
iTrader: (1)
I have a 2005 TL that is doing the same thing, and a friend at work found this attorney that is filing a class action lawsuit against Acura since it is obviously a defect. They need 50 people. Their website is chariflaw.com, and the woman's name is Suzy. My friend's car is also doing this, and we sent photos of the cracks and filled out a form. Can't hurt.....since I don't have $500+ to spend on a dashboard, and don't feel like I should have to, having spent so much money with Acura already!! Good luck!!
I believe there is another attorney, also in South Florida trying to get a case started. I sent him a bunch of info and pictures, but Ive never heard a peep. My suggestion is to not bother with lawyers on this one. Acura is not the only car manufacturer dealing with dash cracking woes. Check out Dodge ram's dash cracking. The defect was present for more model years, and since the dash is hard plastic, it eventually ends up leaving giant gaping holes in the dash. There have been a few reports of the hard plastic being projected out from the dash, hitting the drivers. A bunch of people tried starting lawsuits, but I dont follow that issue close enough to really know if anything has happened. To my knowledge, nothing has.
At this point, the routine seems to be;
Talk to Acura -> Did you get what you want? -> If not, complain more -> Get it yet? -> Complain a bit more -> if Acura doesn't offer solutions you can either; get a dash mat, replace it yourself, ignore it.
Honestly, out of the seemingly hundreds of people here that have had the issue, I dont know of any that have gone through an alternative process with much success.
At this point, the routine seems to be;
Talk to Acura -> Did you get what you want? -> If not, complain more -> Get it yet? -> Complain a bit more -> if Acura doesn't offer solutions you can either; get a dash mat, replace it yourself, ignore it.
Honestly, out of the seemingly hundreds of people here that have had the issue, I dont know of any that have gone through an alternative process with much success.
04-04-2013, 06:23 PM
#1074
Client Services.... Just as you, I've experienced an similar experience from the dealer. I will be sure to keep you updated on the status. Btw, could you PM your Contact Info (phone #) should Client Services need to contact you?
Last edited by whudini3000; 04-04-2013 at 06:32 PM.
04-04-2013, 10:46 PM
#1076
06 Anthracite TL
I have the Dash Designs DashTex cover- nice look and excellent fit. Some like the seude look however, but Dash Designs has the shape and seams just right.
post pictures
04-11-2013, 09:55 PM
#1079
to all those reading. do not spend money to fill the cracks or get it professionally repaired. it will crack again eventually. only way is a brand new dash. I spent money getting it repaired and it looked great for a month or 2. Started seeing cracks form again. Only option for me is a dash cover now for $50.