Help Needed: 2007 Toyota Camry Dashboard MELTING!

**snail** · October 31st, 2012 11:22 AM

As the title aptly suggests, my Camry's dashboard has melted due to the extreme heat.

My windshield has no tint and I sometimes forget to put up the windshield foil cover when I park.

The dashboard now feels very sticky and when I leave the car under the sun for a long stretch, I can actually rub off some of the dashboard's rubber coating surface if I touch it. It also has several scratches due to accidental hits from fingernails and such, and a lot of scratches from the bottom of the windshield foil cover (Yes, the dashboard is now that soft).

I'm afraid to apply anything on it as this might just make its condition worse.

My last option is to use a dashboard cover to hide the scratches and prevent the dashboard from getting damaged further. My concerns with this option are:

Where do I buy a good/decent-looking dashboard cover for my car? (My dashboard is color black). I'm based in Davao but I would consider buying it in Manila then just install it myself

And would this get in the way of the passenger airbag?

Any other suggestions aside from my idea above, please do not hesitate to express them.

Help desperately needed.

Thanks

**albert_b** · October 31st, 2012 11:33 AM

I don't like those 80's furry dash cover. The only one's I see still sporting those are taxis and FX.
If you're willing to stretch the budget a bit, how about a new (second hand from the chop shop) dashboard? There are also those that have leather wrapped their dashboard for the added premium feel. I suggest you put on some tints after din

**1D4LV** · October 31st, 2012 11:45 AM

i would prefer getting a surplus dash instead or have your dash refurbished. the dash cover attracts lots of dust and it will make your interiors impure... mas malala kung may allergy ka pa.... and besides, it would not smell that good during rainy days.

pero kung walang option.... yun na talaga.

i think it will get in the way of the airbag. pero sa lakas ng pressure ng airbag, gagana pa din naman sya.

additional comments from the users http://tsikot.com/forums/interior-de...ashield-41370/

**snail** · October 31st, 2012 12:18 PM

Thanks for the feedback. Any idea how much a replacement dashboard would cost? Any leads where I can buy one?

Also, saan pwede magpa-leather wrap ng dashboard?

**Bin Diesel** · October 31st, 2012 01:20 PM

TS, i'm with having the dashboard refurbished. why not ipa leather mo na lang mas maganda pa kakalabasan.

**snail** · October 31st, 2012 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Bin Diesel

TS, i'm with having the dashboard refurbished. why not ipa leather mo na lang mas maganda pa kakalabasan.

I'm leaning on this option more. It would look better and probably cost cheaper as well.
Thanks

**steer** · October 31st, 2012 03:46 PM

I have the same problem with my 2008 Camry.

Called up Toyota and they said they've replaced a couple of melting dashboards that were within the warranty period.

My dashboard goes back to normal overnight. i then clean it with moist cloth. Did it for a couple of days, it seems to have lessened the problem.

You can also leather wrap your whole dashboard and make it look with some of the more premium cars.

Sone of the reasons given for the melting dash is over exposure of the soft rubber to sun and prolonged use of commercially available cleaning agents.

shops that make sest covers should be able to leather wrap your dashboard.

**vinj** · October 31st, 2012 03:50 PM

I'm surprised this happens to cars in this day and age. What the more to units in the Middle East?

**JohnM** · October 31st, 2012 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by steer

prolonged use of commercially available cleaning agents.

The more plausible reason. Looks like the popular shiny cleaning spray most owners use is not friendly to some materials

**snail** · October 31st, 2012 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by steer

I have the same problem with my 2008 Camry.

Called up Toyota and they said they've replaced a couple of melting dashboards that were within the warranty period.

My dashboard goes back to normal overnight. i then clean it with moist cloth. Did it for a couple of days, it seems to have lessened the problem.

You can also leather wrap your whole dashboard and make it look with some of the more premium cars.

Sone of the reasons given for the melting dash is over exposure of the soft rubber to sun and prolonged use of commercially available cleaning agents.

shops that make sest covers should be able to leather wrap your dashboard.

I think mine has more to do with sun over exposure since I don't use cleaning agents.

Unfortunately, not a lot of leather upholstery shops here in Davao so my options are limited..