Since the sun is drying out and shrinking the dash, thus causing $3000 of damage, has anyone ever tried using a product that relaxes the leather?


Kiwi SELECT Universal Shoe Stretch

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0010TN0UW..._kq1cub0WVZ9XR

 

Replace the leather. The old dash is damaged.
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Not talking about that. I am talking about before the dash has an issue. If the leather is relaxed so it doesn't shrink and pull itself off the glued contours, you might be able to prevent the damage.

 

I use 303 Aerospace Protectant on my dash, and so far not a problem.
The number and intensity of hot days here in Adelaide would at least equal Houston, in summer we often get max temps over 40 degrees C (104 F) and runs of five or more days in a row over 100 F.
From my research on this issue it's not the direct sunlight on the dash that causes the damage, it's the heat in the cabin that melts the glue, so do whatever you can to prevent the interior from getting very hot. Fit dark tint to all windows (where legal), use a sunscreen, crack the windows a bit when parked, park indoors or at least in the shade etc etc.

 

Does this mean that with very careful application of a heat gun you could "re-melt" the glue where the leather has lifted and get it to re-stick? Seems a bit of a ghetto solution I'll admit, but spare a thought for us out-of-warranty owners :P

EDIT: Youtube seems to think so:

 

Here's a good DIY video on the dash removal.

 

I would be tempted to use the heat gun from the underside of the dash so you don't accidentally melt the leather. I have a heat gun, and it's a incredible weapon of destruction if you leave it in one spot for just a split second too long. I also would have been tempted to drill a very small hole(s) under the bubble from underneath the dash as opposed to poking a hole in the leather.

Also, if the leather needs to stretch to be re-glued, I still think some kind of leather relaxer/stretcher product would help.

Given how much the dash part costs, it's worth giving it a try to fix it before spending the cash.

 

I use Soffener leather conditioner made by Color Plus. It's better than Lexol leather conditioner. Just keep your dash nourished. I also use a reflective sun shade over my windshield when parked.