I messed up my dash when removing the center vent to install my ipod interface.

Here's a crappy picture that shows part of the damage.

Any ideas on what I can do to make it look better?

I also cracked the vent a little. Anyone know where I can get a replacement on the cheap?

Thanks

 

Anyone? I am lost on this one.

 

Dang homie. Easy on the vents haha. Check Sewell

 

suede wrap the dash?

 

Have you tried to put it back in? Methinks the vent would cover the edge somewhat?

 

Yeah I tried to put it back in. The vent slides right in the middle and covers nothing.... Ugggh

 

Yikes, problem is that dash pad is one giant piece, not like you can just replace the part around the vent, the whole thing has to go. If that's what you decide to do, I'd try calling Lexus junkyards and looking online for wrecked cars. There are multiple websites that will part out partially wrecked cars, and in most of those cars the dash pad would be intact and in good shape. Same with the vent, though that's probably an easier and less expensive part to obtain otherwise.

 

OH I know!! Call stereo installation places and see if there is a housing for an after market stereo for our cars. I bet you can get just the outside edge and find a way to fit it so it frames the vent cluster.

 

I am going to have to do a patch of some kind. Replacing the whole dash would be way too costly labor-wise.

Hopefully I'll come across a vent for a decent price.

I attempted attempted to patch it using leather strips. It is a halfway decent first pass I think.....

 

Hey not bad!

 

Take it to an upholstery shop that does vinyl repair and see what they can do.

 

Ehh I'd just leave the rough edge exposed as apposed to having that leather strip on it. The strip is more noticable then the rough edge imo.

 

Get some Bojo trim panel tools and you won't have this problem next time.

 

I feel your pain, I did the same thing not quite as bad though.

 

man that sucks...i just installed my VAIS sirius interface last weekend and I broke one of the stupid tabs on the vents too, but I had done a little research beforehand and ordered some plastic panel removal tools so i didn't scar up my dash pad. I agree that you should just remove that leather strip though, the damage is less noticeable than that.