The first thing I noticed about my dashboard is how damn sticky it is... seems like the rubbery plastic is breaking down. Is this typical of Gen4s? Or perhaps it's just this trim level...?
The next thing I noticed, mucking around replacing the cubby with a phone and having that centre part in and out a bit, was that I'd been inadvertently been taking little chunks out of it without noticing, except for the last time it happened, and it was from my fingernails, which I didn't even feel happening until that final time. I wondered HTF I'd managed to put all these little nicks in it, since I thought I was being super careful, dammit. This stuff has turned so damn fragile. I also noticed a small crack lower down on the passenger side, probably since it's an area that cops the most changes in sunlight...
Speaking of which, the glare blows. It's one of those things you just sort of take for granted and get used to, but the other day I was watching a Bad Obsession Motorsport vid (if you don't know about Project Binky, OMG), where dashboard flocking was mentioned, and that was it - now the glare is like one of those things I can't unsee.
So I'm sorta hoping that either the condition of my dash is unusual (maybe it was cleaned with the wrong stuff?), or that it's not hard to find the same dash at a wrecker's in a more durable material... cause I've had dashboards out before, and I figure my dash will look like junk after it's removed. Can any Gen4 owners tell me if my dash is weird or normal, and if there's a bolt-on alternative to this sticky goo thing?
I found a mob over in Dandenong who do this stuff; you can DIY it but I'd rather go pro here. Maybe they can just fill the damage and the glue/flock surface adds a tough enough skin to protect it...? I'll give em a ring when they're open, but I'm thinking my dash has, uh, done its dash.
/runs