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shot the dash and airbags yesterday. Used the SEM brand paint, bought from Sherman Williams. The one on the left is cheaper and dries flat, the one on the right I had in my garage from shooting faded trim. Actually you would need 2 full cans of paint, I had only grabbed one.......done with about 4-5 coats.
not bad for a $20 DIY, and done in under an hour .
theres some uneven dry spray spots that I need to respray when I get another can, if you mess up on the painting and drip, etc, it can be wetsanded w/400 grit, wiped up and resprayed......
I've shown what can be done with a thinner, rag towel, $20 bucks for the paint and your time. Better than getting your paws sticky all the time....I've ruined nice clothes by having the black goo touch the dash by accident........no sense trying to sue Lexus over a car way past warranty.........hope this helps!
I've had a similar problem with my 2007 Lexus, quoted $1800.00 to repair. I will not buy another Lexus. The customer service for this problem has been horrible.
Before I purchase my new car I'm going to the Lexus sales manager and telling him the reason behind loosing a sale!
Similar thing happened to my 03. I just sprayed some interior dash cleaner and started to wipe the parts next to the radio. Then I noticed black residue coming off it. Thinking that it was just dirt, I wiped it harder. Then I realized that the black plastic was basically melting off onto the rag. Not a huge deal but it was very interesting..
I created this thread back in 2006! Crazy that so many people have/had this problem. I ended up taking my car to Lexus body shop to get it refinished in 2006..cost me $400..They sprayed it with a new material and it hasn't gotten gooey since. Best thing you can do is to have it repainted. $400 is worth the time and frustration trying to get Lexus to pay for it. Just my two cents..
I'm also having the same problem with my 04 is300, Where the airbag cover on the dash is sticky. I tried removing it and noticed the black residue. I ended up leaving it alone. I think this problem is only happening in 02 and up from what I read. This sucks!!!!
The fix is very simple. The fastest way to get the goo off is to use parts/brake cleaner and a rag. Of course, take out the dash first. Use brake cleaner moderately. Too much will melt the plastic under the goo. Once most of the goo is off (takes about 30-45 minutes), get some sand paper, and clean off the uneven surface. Use Vinyl paint ( I chose flat black but I suppose you can use any color you desire), and spray about 10 even coats. Wetsand, dry, clean, spray and you're finished.
I put up with the softening airbag and dashboard on my 2004 IS300 for several years. As did so many, I tried cleaning it to no avail. Recently the car needed repair from a rear-end collision, and while Lexus had it, we asked about repairing or replacing the dash. (We had already decided to bear the cost ourselves.) The dealership took photos and submitted them to Lexus. LO and behold, we have a brand new dashboard. Now we are waiting for the call that tells us that Lexus will replace the rest if the softened interior, around the radio and gear console--I don't know the official names. If that's done, my IS will be beautiful once again!
Finally, after 3 years battling Lexus Corp, they replaced my Dashboard.
I'm thinking of doing the same myself. Any tips? I'm a second gen owner and this has been going on for 2 years. I thought I was the only one until I googled 'sticky dash 2003 is300' and was brought here.
I'm at my wits end. I have lines, finger prints, smudges, etc all over my dash, down the console, across the airbag panel-- everywhere!!!
I'm thinking of doing the same myself. Any tips? I'm a second gen owner and this has been going on for 2 years. I thought I was the only one until I googled 'sticky dash 2003 is300' and was brought here.
I'm at my wits end. I have lines, finger prints, smudges, etc all over my dash, down the console, across the airbag panel-- everywhere!!!
I would suggest starting with Lexus Corp & Dealership. File complaints with NHTSA, Attorney General Office, BBB and Dealership. Lexus Dashboard material was defective and it was installed anyway. Don't give up! The Airbag cover is made out of the material...that's scary for me.
you would think they would test the interior to average heat in the market they are sold in It was funny when I test drove them I was like why does everybody put their feet up on the dash in these cars.
10-06-13, 10:23 AM
