by "Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
Published 11/21/2017 at 22:47
by "Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
Published 11/21/2017 at 22:47
Tags: sticky icky
; if you know what i mean
; sportcross
STARS: 2
I’ve been reading up on this exhaustively for the last month, trying to figure out how to remedy this. My interior is otherwise flawless, so it is especially glaring.
(Link below to anecdotes of many sad IS owners)
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The TLDR is: 2002 to 2005 dashes are prone to stickiness and softening. It is especially prevalent of any IS that spent time in Florida. My car was registered in said state for 10 years. Whether it’s caused by a combination of certain cleaners and humidity, in addition to Lexus using lousy dash material (it’s both) is a topic for another day (but seriously it is those things). Because to insinuate this is Lexus’ fault (it is) would be blasphemy (no).
There are three generally accepted solutions: 1) replace the entire dash with an ‘01. 2) remove dash to sand down, repaint and reinstall, or 3) use a crazy combo of cleaners and sealants similar to three witches huddled over a cauldron throwing in random made up ingredients as they waste time rhyming. The latter doesn’t necessarily require removal:
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I would like to try #3, because it sounds the least painful financially, logistically, and I don’t really have anything to lose. Except the rest of my interior is tan so I’d have to be hella careful while scraping off black goo for hours on end.
However, #1 has appeal because the ‘01 dashes look pretty good. They have these sort of bronzed accent pieces that break up the bleak blackness nicely:
For reference, this is my current interior:
That being said, here’s the thing: I don’t want to remove my dash (said to take a little over 2 hours “if you know what you’re doing” according to the forums), I don’t want to pay $300 for a used dash, and another $75 for the used matching center console, and I sure as hell don’t want to pay someone else to do it. And God help us all if I suddenly I hear a rattle while driving where one never was before... But it sure would look good! Or maybe the bronze would be too much? It does match the accent color on the steering wheel, though.
I paid up to have my bumper repainted because the rest of the exterior was in great shape. Being forced to stare at that dash during daylight hours pierces my heart. I must do something.
What say thee?
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
11/21/2017 at 22:53, STARS: 0
Do you have to swap out center consoles if you swap the dash? If not I think I’d just swap that dash and use a liberal amount of pip insulator or something to prevent any squeaks or rattles.
Remember you don’t need a dash to drive. So you don’t have to get it all done in one weekend!
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
11/21/2017 at 22:53, STARS: 0
265 clams for a replacement sounds like a good deal, pending you do the labor or know someone to do it at a reasonable rate.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/21/2017 at 22:54, STARS: 0
The sticky parts run down into the center console piece on the sides by the shifter. Mine is worse than the dash.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
11/21/2017 at 22:55, STARS: 1
Buy the dash. That’s a steal of a price, IMO — especially for a luxury brand.
"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
11/21/2017 at 22:55, STARS: 0
Interesting side note: the ‘06 and ‘07 dashes melt too. They redesigned the whole car and they still didn’t solve the melty dash!
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/21/2017 at 22:57, STARS: 0
The body shop I use charges by the hour, and while they are a good shop, they are not cheap. Getting a quote might not be a bad idea though.
I would probably do it myself if it meant saving many hundreds more, begrudgingly. I prefer changing oil and brake pads. I hate working on interiors.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
11/21/2017 at 22:57, STARS: 0
I’d assume the center console would be easier to paint and sand though. Since it’s probably harder than the dash.
"ranwhenparked" (ranwhenparked)
11/21/2017 at 22:57, STARS: 0
I can’t believe this is still a thing, and from Toyota, no less. This is something you would expect from 1980s Austin Rover, and pretty much no one else.
"ToyotaFamily" (robbav35)
11/21/2017 at 22:59, STARS: 0
I know you don’t want to remove the dash, but I saw someone cover theirs in flocking material. It didn’t look bad and supposedly helped cut out glare.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/21/2017 at 23:00, STARS: 0
It’s enticing, but while a considerable improvement, they won’t be flawless
If you squint reaaaaaaally hard, you can see things!
"lone_liberal" (token-liberal)
11/21/2017 at 23:02, STARS: 0
**cough** General Motors **cough**. The dash pads of second gen F-bodies are notorious for warping and melting.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
11/21/2017 at 23:04, STARS: 0
"Wacko" (wacko--)
11/21/2017 at 23:05, STARS: 0
My protegé5 never did that.
Mine was dying on the outside
"ranwhenparked" (ranwhenparked)
11/21/2017 at 23:07, STARS: 0
Well, you name the quality issue and Motors Liquidation most certainly experienced it at least once. Usually much more than once.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/21/2017 at 23:08, STARS: 0
Yes and no, the sticky pieces on the side of the center console are the same material as the dash, and it all comes as one piece with the hard plastic straddling the tunnel.
"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
11/21/2017 at 23:11, STARS: 0
I cross shopped the IS with the 3gtl I ended up with and both of them have inevitable dash issues. Cracking on the TL and stickiness on the IS. A new dash is expensive and labor is a PAIN so the only acceptable solution to me on such an old car is to just get a suede dash mat. Can’t really tell from this angle but I have a whole mess of cracks throughout
"vicali" (vicali)
11/21/2017 at 23:16, STARS: 0
Flock it..
You can always buy another dash.
"boredalways" (boredalway666)
11/21/2017 at 23:20, STARS: 0
I say go with your gut and do #3. I watched the video and 10 month follow up from the same guy, plus another who did a $15 diy vinyl wrap.
Sounds like a good therapeutic endeavor.
"Tapas" (tapas)
11/21/2017 at 23:38, STARS: 0
Put some vynil on it?
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
11/22/2017 at 00:22, STARS: 0
I say try #3 first and when it inevitably doesn’t work to your satisfaction spring for the 2001 replacement. If your sunglasses can match your shift knob your dash accents can be bronze. Bronze seems like a good complement for the tan interior and pearly-white exterior, at least in my head.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
11/22/2017 at 01:33, STARS: 0
Maybe covering it with vinyl? Like the stuff you use to cover body panels. Pretty easy to install, but I don’t know how it will react to a hot summer day.
"random001" (random001)
11/22/2017 at 06:34, STARS: 0
Sigh. I’ll grab my belt sander....
"Nauraushaun" (nauraushaun12)
11/22/2017 at 07:10, STARS: 0
I don’t think it will be possible to fix it, but I know nothing of these things.
But try the fix. If it fails you’re forced to buy a new one anyway.
"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
11/22/2017 at 07:13, STARS: 0
To be fair, I think it has mostly been resolved by now. My boss had an ‘07 IS250 that had a dash start melting around the beginning of 2011. His 3/36k warranty was just up but between him, Toyota, and the dealer they came to some agreement where he only paid around $700 parts and labor for a new one. That replacement never showed any signs of starting to melt by the time he sold the car in 2016 and I haven’t heard any stories of dash melting in anything much past ‘07.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
11/22/2017 at 07:46, STARS: 2
Hey,
I have a 2005 GX470. I got a letter from Lexus saying we fucked up. We created a melting or cracking dashboard. Come in and we will replace it for free...
I looked at my dashboard and it was in mint shape at the time of the letter.
I said, I will keep the letter in case later it becomes a problem.
Sure enough, this summer I see a nice long crack... IN THE DASHBOARD, WISE ASS!
Take it to lexus... they say...weeeeell that recall thing wasn’t forever, but let us contact headquarters and see what they say... Few days later I had my answer and a new dashboard installed. For free.
Worth a trip to lexus dealership...
"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
11/22/2017 at 07:52, STARS: 2
I have a buddy with one of these with that issue - he went the route of removing the dash pieces, sanding and painting and reinstalling. Took about a day with a couple friends, but the result is a yuuuuuuge improvement.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/22/2017 at 08:19, STARS: 0
Brutal :(
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/22/2017 at 08:19, STARS: 0
GEE THANKS
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/22/2017 at 08:20, STARS: 0
That’s a very expensive solution
"Tripper" (tripe46)
11/22/2017 at 08:31, STARS: 0
#3, you can do it! Definitely going to take more than two hours. I’ve taken a few dash(es) all of the way out and it’s never happened that fast. I was however, being extra careful. If sanding/painting doesn’t go the way you want and you decided to buy one, at least you’re half way there.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
11/22/2017 at 08:47, STARS: 0
You just asked for a solution, you didn’t specify a budget constraint.
"punkgoose17" (punkgoose17)
11/22/2017 at 08:52, STARS: 0
I vote #3.
Can you clean it and clear coat it with a brush while it is in the car?
Is Armorall the problem cleaner?
"Monkey B" (monkeyb)
11/22/2017 at 09:13, STARS: 1
wish you were closer...I can fix this! Go see the dealer, maybe you get the new one. The guy in the video is doing ok, but certainly going the long route. I’d probably use something more aggressive, but am also a professional. On the smooth plastic, I’d let the solvent start to work and use a plastic razor blade and get the bulk of it off. I’d also use a white scotch brite for this as the solvent plus the grey scotch brite can be a little aggressive, especially on the smooth plastic. In the end it should probably be coated again. I’d question the UV resistant properties of the material used since they used a coating. The coating could have been used simply for soft touch purposes though, hard to say. For coating it again, I’d find someone professional who uses a water based urethane (only one I’m aware of) and would avoid using solvent based aerosol (SEM is the most widely used) as it smells, won’t match and won’t have the proper feel.
If it were me, I’d avoid diy pulling the dash. In my experience it usually leads to squeaks and rattles. If Lexus decided to do it for you at least (hopefully) an experienced tech will handle it proper. Even then it’s a crap shoot. I think when I looked this up Lexus was having issues supplying the parts.
"gettingoldercarguy" (gettingoldercarguy)
11/22/2017 at 09:59, STARS: 0
Reupholster in Alcantara
"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
11/22/2017 at 10:23, STARS: 0
Flock it? How hard can it be? Seems to be all the rage these days.
"cluelessk" (cluelessk)
11/22/2017 at 11:58, STARS: 0
Wonder if you could get it wrapped by an upholstery shop?
"brianbrannon" (brianbrannon)
11/22/2017 at 12:31, STARS: 0
303 protectant worked wonders on my sticky motorcycle grips
"No Prius Needed" (nopriusneeded)
11/22/2017 at 14:15, STARS: 0
Welcome to Florida.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/22/2017 at 14:17, STARS: 0
What car is that? A GS?
"No Prius Needed" (nopriusneeded)
11/22/2017 at 15:50, STARS: 1
2005 Acura RL. When I took this, you could actually shape the glovebox with your hand.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/23/2017 at 00:34, STARS: 1
Ah yes, the rare Sculpture Package