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Just trying to understand how this could happen. Is it possible that cleaning/conditioning products could have seeped through the leather and loosened the glue underneath?
I used mink oil paste yesterday and applied it as recommended on warm leather. It immediately turned liquid and seeped deep into the pores of the leather.
Where I live, in Orlando FL, I know the heat and humidity play a big role in this dash issue. I'm trying everything I can before I start poking holes and inserting glue under the leather. If I have to do the steam method a couple times a year to temporarily resolve, I'd rather go that route for now if It's working.
Where I live, in Orlando FL, I know the heat and humidity play a big role in this dash issue. I'm trying everything I can before I start poking holes and inserting glue under the leather. If I have to do the steam method a couple times a year to temporarily resolve, I'd rather go that route for now if It's working.
Have you previously applied cleaning/conditioning products?
My SL63 has bubbles in the Designo Leather Dash Pad and I was thinking I would have to take the dash pad out and replace it. I was skeptical of the 'steam process' but though I would give it a try. To my surprise, it worked and was relatively easy to do. I hope it lasts. Thanks very much to KiethS for sharing the process. Below are before and after pictures (the bubble on the right by the windshield was removed by the same process after I took the after picture).
My SL63 has bubbles in the Designo Leather Dash Pad and I was thinking I would have to take the dash pad out and replace it. I was skeptical of the 'steam process' but though I would give it a try. To my surprise, it worked and was relatively easy to do. I hope it lasts. Thanks very much to KiethS for sharing the process. Below are before and after pictures (the bubble on the right by the windshield was removed by the same process after I took the after picture).
Could you describe the "Steam Process" that you used. My S550 has developed some similar bubbles that I would like to correct. Many thanks!
Basically took a smooth wet/damp sponge, wet the area that has the bubble, let it sit there for a minute, blotted it dry with a towel, than took a hair dryer to it on high heat going back and forth around the area. Also smoothed it out with my hand and roller while it was hot.
Basically took a smooth wet/damp sponge, wet the area that has the bubble, let it sit there for a minute, blotted it dry with a towel, than took a hair dryer to it on high heat going back and forth around the area. Also smoothed it out with my hand and roller while it was hot.
Many thanks!!! I will try that. Did the fix last or did the bubbles ever return?
Well that sucks. I am in Maryland and I was just saying to myself last month that I am going to start using my trucks window sun reflector in the Sl window.(its fits if folded in some) I use it at home when my SL is parked and I am driving my SUV, but I never use it while out and about in the SL. Just never thought about it. Not worried for the rest of this year since Fall has started, but next year it is in my window whenever I am at work and the Sl is parked for 13 hours.
Good luck on the fix....
Originally Posted by crobb65
All of a sudden I have a bubble in the leather dash in front of the instrument cluster. Car is always garaged but this is Florida. I'm assuming this is heat related but am hesitant to take this one to the dealership. Anyone else had this issue?
If so, what was the fix and the cost?
My SL63 has bubbles in the Designo Leather Dash Pad and I was thinking I would have to take the dash pad out and replace it. I was skeptical of the 'steam process' but though I would give it a try. To my surprise, it worked and was relatively easy to do. I hope it lasts. Thanks very much to KiethS for sharing the process. Below are before and after pictures (the bubble on the right by the windshield was removed by the same process after I took the after picture).
How are your repairs holding up DCF and Steve? I wonder if all MB dash glues can be reenergized with heat?
'13 SL550 Mars Red, Designo White interior, B and O sound
Originally Posted by as.thompson
Could you describe the "Steam Process" that you used. My S550 has developed some similar bubbles that I would like to correct. Many thanks!
Sadly, my Designo dash is irreparable after it was removed and fixed two years ago (stretched and now tears appearing). Anyone actually know the cost to replace or, the part numbers or how to find them? Thanks... :-(
A MB dealer can help you but I would try to find a reputable interior shop and see if they can help you. Good luck. Leather dashes can be a real PIA. I've had issues with several BMWs and now avoid them unless you never park outdoors.
FWIW I was able to do a reasonably decent repair on my SL65. It had bubbles in front of the instrument cluster and also on passenger side near the speaker grill. It's definitely worth trying the heat gun and/or steam first, but this will likely work only on small bubbles. Beyond that you have to pull the loose portion of the leather and re-glue it with a neoprene-based contact cement.
I had to glue since the bubbles were fairly large. In my case the bubbles were near an edge, so I lifted the forward edge (at the windshield) from the frame and carefully pulled the leather back at the bubble. Since the leather is loose it should pull up fairly easily. Pull it back until you feel resistance where the leather is still tightly bound. You want to lift all the loose leather. Be careful not to crease the leather at the back edge because that's hard to get out afterwards. For the bubbles near the speaker grill, remove the speaker grill first so you can get to the edges under the grill. This whole process would have been way easier if the windshield was out, but I didn't want to get into that (even though my windshield is cracked and needs to be replaced).
Let me stress that this is a difficult job, mainly because of the windshield. I had to put a large mirror on the hood of the car so I could see under the leather as I glued it. You have to be very careful with the glue, so it doesn't get on the surface of the leather.
The results turned out fairly well though not perfect and it continues to hold after a year. Some photos attached. Driver side bubbles Driver side after repair. The cluster hood also had a bubble at the front and that was repaired also. The leather seems to have shrunk on the hood, so I wasn't able to stretch it all the way forward to the edge of the hood. But it's not very noticeable. Driver side after repair Passenger side bubbles Passenger side after repair Passenger side after repair. Not perfect but way better. There's foam under the leather. Pulled back and ready for glue. Here's the glue I used. It's rated to 150 degF. They have a version that specifically mentions leather, but it has a lower temp rating. This is contact cement. You coat both sides, let it set up a few minutes then roll the leather back in place while pulling gently on the edge to keep it taut. There's no re-positioning with this stuff, you'd have to start over.
Nice work. These leather dashes can be a real pain. Ask me how I know having owned a couple BMWs with leather dashes. I use a windshield screen if I have to park outdoors especially in hot weather. I do think this helps prevent or at lease delay the lifting of the leather.
Unortunately, the steam method repair did not last very long so I order a new dash pad (non exclusive leather because it was discontinued plus it was more than $5,000 instead of $2,000 for the standard) and ~ 8 hours later the issue was gone.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by DCF
Unortunately, the steam method repair did not last very long so I order a new dash pad (non exclusive leather because it was discontinued plus it was more than $5,000 instead of $2,000 for the standard) and ~ 8 hours later the issue was gone.
Nice Job 👍
Besides being cheaper, the “standard” MBTex dash seems to hold up better in the humid climates.
As we know, the climates subject to high humidity and heat seem to wreak havoc on those leather dash pads. Unfortunately, it’s not just MB, it’s pretty much every manufacturer that uses real leather.
I tend to use a sun shade when I park my car outside, amazing how hot it gets (I can barely hold on to it). For kicks, I measured it once with an IR Temp gun. It was 160°!
Last edited by crconsulting; Sep 5, 2024 at 07:31 PM.
Unortunately, the steam method repair did not last very long so I order a new dash pad (non exclusive leather because it was discontinued plus it was more than $5,000 instead of $2,000 for the standard) and ~ 8 hours later the issue was go
@DCF Would love to see more photos of the work in progress if you have any? It's helpful to see that the dash cover comes off without requiring pretty much all the innards to come with it.
If I took mine off I think I would take it to a good upholstery shop and get a quote to have them strip it and re-cover it.
BTW: my glue job is still holding! But my SL is not a daily driver so it doesn't get a lot of sun exposure.
'13 SL550 Mars Red, Designo White interior, B and O sound
I have the Designo package and the dash pad (and trim adjacent to the windshield) needs replacing. I also have the B & O audio system and the dashboard clock. Have you any idea what I might be looking at to get this job done, please? TIA
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