My Dash Is Ruined!!!

[Bungee]

I just bought a 2000 Chevy Silverado truck.

It looks like the plastic dash in these vehicles is painted, rather than the color being molded into the plastic itself . . . it had a 5" band above the radio, on the top edge of the dash, where the Charcoal Grey paint has peeled or worn away, exposing the Black plastic underneath.

I'm assuming this exposed spot is due to either the previous owner's acidic fingers resting on the dash as he changed the radio, or a cleaning solution ate away this area.

In any case, I bought some:
1. Plastic paint (SEM Elastomeric Color Coat).
2. Plastic/Leather Prep (SEM brand)
3. Flexible Primer Surfacer (SEM).

The plastic Cleaner prep almost immediately began to seperate the paint from the plastic. I wiped away the flaking paint. My fingers easily rubbed off the paint, so I removed a lareger area of paint.

Because the Plastic/Leather Prep didn't work so well, I wiped the area down with Rubbing Alcohol.

I then applied the Flexible Primer Surfacer. This peeled the paint BIG TIME! . . . now I have large SHEETS of paint separating from the dash.

I'M ALMOST SCARED TO TOUCH IT ANYMORE . . . THE DASH LOOKS LIKE TOTAL CRAP NOW.

ANY IDEAS WHAT TO DO????????????? PLEASE HELP!!!

[red00lght]

Man! That sounds like a nightmare. I know a little how you feel because I bought my 99 and the previous owner had some sticky tape on the dash which looked crappy, so I took some goo-gone to get it off. Well, before I knew it, the paint was coming off quicker than the sticky tape and now it really looked bad because I have a tan dash and the black underneath is VERY noticeable.

I too was considering painting the damaged area but I guess I won't....

In the meantime I took a tan clear piece of tape and covered the spot. Doesn't look the best, but it's better than it was.

I'm also interested to know if anyone has a way to fix your issue??

[skull]

That that's a trip. Guess what, my dash is doing the exact same thing in the exact same spot and I assumed the exact same cause. I bought the my 2001 Z71 from a girl in Atlanta that never had it in the mud...but boy she used the radio...I think.

Now I'm scared to do anything. The GM dealership said it was dye, not paint. I don't really think he knows what he's talking about.

Can anyone answer the original question...How do you fix this without making it work. The problem is obviously not a freak defect.

[tooltimetech]

Dashes have been painted for many years, I watched one of the body shop technicians strip the paint off of the dash out of his early 80's chevy pick up with a pressure washer (he had the dash removed and sitting on the floor to do this). Then he painted it to match his interior. We have a guy that comes around and repairs all kinds of interior stuff for us, he can change colors of plastic trim in the interior that does not match after being replaced. He also repairs small tears and discolorations in leather seats. He does this right out of the back of his own van, I assume he takes care of all the dealerships and businesses in the area. I believe his business is called Color-Glo or something on that order. Check with some dealers and one of them probably knows somebody that could do it for you. Most dealers would get it fixed before putting it on the lot or at least know somebody that could fix it if it becomes an issue at point of sale time. Good Luck.