Sticky dash..... What's going on?

rolop6

rolop6

New member
Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
230
Reaction score
0
Alright guys, here's the deal.
My ex has a 11' Kia Soul, I've maintained it since day 1. A while back I noticed the dash get a sticky feel, I've only used Meguiars hyper dressing as a protectant and Meguiars APC usually at 10:1. It feels like a sticky residue is left behind. I've tried mild soap and water, APC 10:1 but nothing. Anyone have any clue what it could be, or how to get rid of it?
Thanks

P.s. I didn't post pictures because it looks perfectly normal, it's just sticky and nothing was spilled on it it's the entire front dash.
 
What it sounds like is just a normal effect of a through cleaning but it could also be film of some sort
 
I've notice this on the wife's Odyssey and a couple of friends vehicles. Seems to be associated with passenger dash airbags. I've been able to get 95% out with a stout APC.
 
I put on detail doctor indorsed by the count from counting cars and it's total crap. I used rubbing alcohol to clean my dash then I used 303 aerospace protectant and I used one coat and it looks like showroom shine that was 4 months ago.
 
She doesn't smoke, or use anything crazy on them.
I've maintained the car and it's not just one section it's the Whole dash.
I'll give a stronger APC a shot and some rubbing alcohol. Thanks guys
 
Have you had the ac/heater checked? Does it give off a strange smell? Could be build up from a bad ac/heater causing the stickiness on the dash. Is it on the wheel or doors too?
 
No smell no other panels just Dash.
We bought the car brand new, and I've always maintained everything in the car from oil- car washes.
 
Sub'd. I'm curious to see how you make out... My wife's 2012 elantra's rear deck has this issue... Sticky.
She's a non smoker, and has never put anything on it. The front dash is fine.... But the rear deck feels like someone took a glue stick to it.
 
Photecs said:
Sub'd. I'm curious to see how you make out... My wife's 2012 elantra's rear deck has this issue... Sticky.
She's a non smoker, and has never put anything on it. The front dash is fine.... But the rear deck feels like someone took a glue stick to it.
Click to expand...

I have the same problem, tried wiping down the dust off our Elantra and the rear deck is sticky exactly as you described. Front is fine, just the rear.
 
This may sound weird but I have found out that it could one the following problems either your dashboard is melting or the plasticizers that are in the material of the dash could be migrating to surface making it sticky like a fly trap these two causes are common in foreign car brands and 70's 80'early 90's Mopar cars....hope this help some
 
rolop6 said:
Alright guys, here's the deal.
My ex has a 11' Kia Soul, I've maintained it since day 1. A while back I noticed the dash get a sticky feel, I've only used Meguiars hyper dressing as a protectant and Meguiars APC usually at 10:1. It feels like a sticky residue is left behind. I've tried mild soap and water, APC 10:1 but nothing. Anyone have any clue what it could be, or how to get rid of it?
Thanks

P.s. I didn't post pictures because it looks perfectly normal, it's just sticky and nothing was spilled on it it's the entire front dash.
Click to expand...

Do you live in a warm/hot climate? There was an issue similar
to this in some Lexus vehicles. The problem included cracking of the dashboard material. Lexus Dashboard material has since been
changed and problem solved in subsequent vehicles. Just a
thought.
 
Sub'd to this as well. I used to have a 98 Malibu that had the same problem, no clue...
 
I have this on my car, and have seen it in many others. typically on the airbag panels. I believe these panels are a different material, maybe safer in case of facial impact?

I think the stickyness is the breakdown of the plastic from UV rays over time. Who knows, maybe the Hyper Dressing or APC had something to do wit it...

Hyper Dressing, iirc, doesn't have any protective properties. Its just a shine. You should look into PERL if you're like water based dressings that can be diluted and actually have UV protection.
 
We live in a warm climate... for 6 months of the year! Winters are -10 to -20's, and summers are +25 to +35.
I'll have to try an APC... maybe OPC or Griots (as i've heard good things about them).
The other problem is that the rear deck is hard to get to where the rear windshield comes down and meets with it at the back... can't get my big hands all the way back there.
It is a different material compared to the front dash board, but the car is only 2.5 yrs old... and its been like this almost since day one.
 
rolop6 said:
Alright guys, here's the deal.
My ex has a 11' Kia Soul, I've maintained it since day 1. A while back I noticed the dash get a sticky feel, I've only used Meguiars hyper dressing as a protectant and Meguiars APC usually at 10:1. It feels like a sticky residue is left behind. I've tried mild soap and water, APC 10:1 but nothing. Anyone have any clue what it could be, or how to get rid of it?
Thanks

P.s. I didn't post pictures because it looks perfectly normal, it's just sticky and nothing was spilled on it it's the entire front dash.
Click to expand...


Hey all, I know this is several years late, but I came across this on Google when looking up the same issue. My dash was sticky as well and I tried just about every solution I could find. Nothing worked so I started trying just about everything under the kitchen sink. First thing that worked was WD40. Took the stickiness down a lot, but the only downside was my dash was now almost mirror like shinny. So the next thing I tried was something called Awesome!. I found it at Dollar Tree and have used it around the house before. It's basically a degreaser if you've never heard of it before. I sprayed the dash with a good amount and took an old toothbrush and scrubbed in a circular motion. It did the job! The dash is no longer sticky and no longer shinny! Just though I would chime in and pass this along to anyone with the same problem!
 
I has that same issue (sticky dash) on my 2009 Toyota Camry hybrid. The issue was broad so Toyota had a recall to replace cracking and/or sticky dashboards. It took almost a year from ordering the replacement dashboard to installation but it's done. Check Kia recalls and threads for similar issues. There might be something there.
 
The hyperderssing might have something to do with this? I never used it on a interior. Only exterior surfaces.

Meguiars Hyper Dressing produces the highest shine possible on tires and exterior rubber and plastic trim. This industry first, water-based dressing can be diluted with water to adjust the level of shine. Meguiars Hyper Dressing is safe, versatile, and a great value.
 
Is there a Kia Soul forum? See if others are having this problem. Might be the materials used.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top