SRL

Need some advice. My 996 has the full leather dash, color is Natural Brown. On the top of the dash, in one area toward the base of the windshield on the passenger side, the leather is bubbling/wrinkling in one spot, probably about 6 square inches.

I don't understand why, as the car's history has it in garages most of it's life, in fact it's a 2001 with only 16,000 miles, and 10,000 of those I've put on in the past 1.5 years, so I don't see it as environmentally caused.

Any others have this problem? If so, what'd you do? Other than this, the car's pretty much perfect, so this sticks out.

Something tells me replacing this part of the dash is not going to be an inexpensive proposition.

bnewport

I have a 99 996 with 40k on it but never seen that. I do have some slight water damage on top of the doors because of the windows down rule at HPDE's. It rained at MAM.

M Fig

i have seen this before. When I was looking to buy a 996 a few of the full leather cars had a slight shrinkage of the leather from direct sunlight. I have attached a picture of one area (different than yours)but have seen it in the spot you are describing too.

I don't have any idea about how to fix it other than go to a shop that installs leather interiors...

good luck,

mark

jlb532

Mine's got it too...assumed from direct sunlight.

marlinspike

Yeah, that's why full leather is a dumb option IMHO. It's inevitable that it will happen, honestly I don't even get the point. The dash should have been something like MB-tex. You could try some neatsfoot oil, but 100:1 says it won't work. If you have a leather dash you absolutely MUST use a sun shade in your windsheild, even if you are just buying groceries, always use it.

nycebo

Even when I am driving?!

rcg412

try lexol'ing (or similair leather conditionering) the hell out of it..... my 0.02

man_of_ice

I've seen it too - on my car.

My windshield had a stone chip, and I got it repaired at one of the places where they fill out the hole with glass and harden it under bright and warm light.

I didnt notice till way after, but the wrinkles were in that exact area where the light shone.

wross996tt

You must use 303 Aerospace to protect from the UV rays. I'm in Colorado and I know about UV...it will destroy the leather (lexol will NOT work).

Phil G.

Anyone know about the "sun-guard" protectant used in Zaino Z-10? I hear the stuff is great overall, but what about UV protection?

Phil

kilrgt

Its a common problem, I know the car is out of warranty, but try giving PCNA a call. I am sure this is a TSB about this. only way to repair this is a new dash, and its pretty common for it to come back. If that fails you can always pull out the dash , and get it repaired.

mjet

I'm glad I did not purchase the full leather package. Good luck.....

Ubermensch

I've got a my full leather dash has 65k miles on it with no signs of wear. I'm glad you guys brought this up. I'll definitely start using a sunshade and check out UV protectants.

Wross, where do you purchase the 303 Aerospace?

wross996tt

Here you go:

http://www.detailcity.com/303-aerospace-protectant.html

use detailcity in the coupon area for a 10% discount.

Phil G.

Sal Zaino informed me that Zaino Z-10 has SPF-40 UV protection - so I'm going that route for all my leather surfaces.

Phil