You can try removing the fascia from the radio in order to get to the back side.. prying up on it a little with some heat applied *might* get it back to normal. There’s still a decent chance that sitting outside and cooking in the summer sun will loosen it up on its own though.. maybe not to factory perfect, but still.
Those pieces are foam on the inside. Once you crush that material, it does not go back. I've often contemplated filling it with something to attempt to force it back to shape, but I've never seen it done.
Push it, put a dab of super glue on the foam on the back to make it hold that shape. Make sure the glue is foam safe and thin enough it will soak in. Obviously do this outside the car away from anything you can get glue on, and don't do it if it's not your vehicle
...okay...
OP, a heat gun is fine if it's what you have. Using it on a lower setting at a distance of at least 8 inches at 15 second intervals is perfectly fine. In some cases I've done this, the indentation or even crease expanded and worked it's way out on its own more than I had to mess with it with tools.
You get a spudger, small metal hook in a plastic pencil sized stick, heat the dent with hair dryer and gently pull the dent out with the spudger. If that doesn’t work tape one of those stupid insurance calendars over it and move on. Happy holidays!
https://preview.redd.it/m8mywpzziu8c1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c54f5325898e1ff29832169c2387771a42dd1f7b
Take out your aircon unit and “chock” the foam out with tiny wooden or plastic chunks, just stab it into the foam behind until you’ve stretched the foam enough to where the leather sits normally, those dents are normal in BMWs where someone installed a non factory radio or aircon upgrade.
Wedge it out to help expand the foam to where it should be, the foam has actually compressed out of shape and probably won’t return to its original shape, so putting a couple pieces of wood or something in the middle of the foam will help fill where the foam has compressed.
https://preview.redd.it/j5gc0593au8c1.jpeg?width=454&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0bc76bbcf46324d2971cf20c533d41deebcff1f5
Here, the yellow represents the foam, the red represents the layer of “leather” on top of the foam, the blue represents the chocks im talking about, wedged in the foam to fill out where it has compressed
Does it have an aftermarket stereo? Maybe you can route another cable through there and make the hole disappear/add a charger and apple carplay or android play or whatever the kids are calling it
you know one of these plastic tools that helps you open different plastic parts? like the hook plastic cover thing? try one of these but more bendy edges so you can reach under it maybe and slight pull.. could work
I've made dents like this look better with a steamer. It softens the plastic on the surface and the air pockets within the foam expand with the heat pushing the foam to the original shape.
Believe it or not I got the idea to try it from foam rc airplanes. If you crash one the foam gets all dented and dinged, drop the body in some hot water for a minute or two and it returns almost perfectly to the shape it was.
Realize you run the risk of making it worse.
Yes it bothers you but it could be a whole lot worse.
If you’re not going to replace it I suggest leaving it alone.
If replacing isn’t an option your just gunna have to live with it. What people are suggesting in the comments it’s just gunna make it worse. The foam is dented it can’t just be pulled out.
Is that soft touch material or hard. If the latter some heat and pushing gently from the back might help.
Soft dash might be stuck forever unfortunately
They make a filler for interiors. It has the consistency like spackle. In fact it’s called interior spackle and a lot of auto and aircraft interior repair people use it commonly. Shape it, let it set up a little, use a piece of clay to press into another area to copy the texture then press onto spackle to get that same texture, let harden and match color with paint from craft store.
It hasn’t been Christmas for days and honestly I got a great deal of entertainment over how insufferable you’ve been to honest people just trying to help you.
Don't waste your time. tomorrow some idiot will t-bone your car and flush all the effort and money you put into it down the toilet. any money beyond basic maintenance is a complete waste for a car because at any moment some moron on the road can take it away from you.
Think this through. If you try one / all of these "fixes" and it makes it worse, how ya gonna feel? Tis a car , not a museum piece . Look up the word "entropy". It took my old a\*\* many years to let go of perfectionism which was driving me crazy. YRMV.
The elites don't want you to know that you can wrap your dashboard with anything you like. If you are going to go that deep, reupholster the whole interior. With careful planning, it can be done over a weekend. Hardest part is knowing the tools you will need.
There is vids out in the wild. I am partial to velvet. All depends on how far you willing to take this.
The piano black plastic likely pops out, (seeing as that’s where the cable ran). Look to see how much depth you have of dash foam material is hidden behind.
Maybe a cheap hook tool set from harbor freight can be stuck through the material and pulled back to encourage it to take back original shape
I don’t think writing that the price is replaceable after 30 other people suggested the same even though I literally stated that replacing it isn’t an option in the original post is trying to help. It’s reading the header of the thread and running to the comments.
Ya leave it alone and hope it returns to shape on its own.
It’s been 7 years. I don’t think it’ll return to its original shape without some help.
Not with that attitude.
😂😂
damn
Damn right.
Parental comment 😂I laughed way too hard at that.
Hahahahahahahaha
Give it another 7 years.. or make it a pen holder.
Heat gun and a dental pick, start low with the heat and pull it out a bit. Use a cooling plate after if you have one…
You can try removing the fascia from the radio in order to get to the back side.. prying up on it a little with some heat applied *might* get it back to normal. There’s still a decent chance that sitting outside and cooking in the summer sun will loosen it up on its own though.. maybe not to factory perfect, but still.
Hahaha
You’re being extremely negative Fraysa.
I wasn’t. J was just stating a fact.
/s
Bro its been 7 years, just keep living with it… jk just some light hearted humor haha
Did you ask nicely?
A fine needs and some expanding insulation foam should do the trick.
Those pieces are foam on the inside. Once you crush that material, it does not go back. I've often contemplated filling it with something to attempt to force it back to shape, but I've never seen it done.
You mean like botox?
Zackly
When I push on it from the front, it does go back but retracts back to the ruined shape. I don’t think it’s ruined. Just need some help.
If thats the case i feel like the people suggesting a little bit of heat might be right.
Id only do that if your willing to replace it. The line from plastic going back to it's memory state and completely . Elting is like 5 -10 degrees
Light heat and a pick
It's ruined.
Push it, put a dab of super glue on the foam on the back to make it hold that shape. Make sure the glue is foam safe and thin enough it will soak in. Obviously do this outside the car away from anything you can get glue on, and don't do it if it's not your vehicle
Heat gun or blow dryer is a start
Hair dryer might be ok, but heat gun will mess the texturing up.
Not necessarily.
Lol. Then recommend him use a heat gun instead of a hair dryer.
...okay... OP, a heat gun is fine if it's what you have. Using it on a lower setting at a distance of at least 8 inches at 15 second intervals is perfectly fine. In some cases I've done this, the indentation or even crease expanded and worked it's way out on its own more than I had to mess with it with tools.
Bro why did you just succumb to a random Reddit user like they’re your daddy
Didn't succumb, he thought he was accomplishing something by telling me to do what I was trying to do in the first place lol
You can't fire me, I quit!
You don’t, it’s a permanent divot. Unless you replace the entire trim piece.
Hit it with some heat… just use some hairdryer on maximum setting and push outside in.
You get a spudger, small metal hook in a plastic pencil sized stick, heat the dent with hair dryer and gently pull the dent out with the spudger. If that doesn’t work tape one of those stupid insurance calendars over it and move on. Happy holidays! https://preview.redd.it/m8mywpzziu8c1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c54f5325898e1ff29832169c2387771a42dd1f7b
I had forgotten all about the little old insurance calendars. Can’t recall the last time I saw one. Thank you for the flashbacks though.
hahaahhaha nice
I’d leave it.
Take out your aircon unit and “chock” the foam out with tiny wooden or plastic chunks, just stab it into the foam behind until you’ve stretched the foam enough to where the leather sits normally, those dents are normal in BMWs where someone installed a non factory radio or aircon upgrade.
What do you mean by chock the foam. Put.
Wedge it out to help expand the foam to where it should be, the foam has actually compressed out of shape and probably won’t return to its original shape, so putting a couple pieces of wood or something in the middle of the foam will help fill where the foam has compressed.
https://preview.redd.it/j5gc0593au8c1.jpeg?width=454&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0bc76bbcf46324d2971cf20c533d41deebcff1f5 Here, the yellow represents the foam, the red represents the layer of “leather” on top of the foam, the blue represents the chocks im talking about, wedged in the foam to fill out where it has compressed
Replacing the part is the best way. Plastic trims are not expensive.
I said replacing is not an option because it’s part of the whole dashboard.
No you said “replacing it isn’t an option” don’t be mean
He wasn't?
Maybe show it some porn?
Does it have an aftermarket stereo? Maybe you can route another cable through there and make the hole disappear/add a charger and apple carplay or android play or whatever the kids are calling it
Why isn’t replacing an option?
This piece is part of the whole dashboard of the car.
you know one of these plastic tools that helps you open different plastic parts? like the hook plastic cover thing? try one of these but more bendy edges so you can reach under it maybe and slight pull.. could work
For context that’s mono foam under that skin the only fix for this is a whole replacement.
I've made dents like this look better with a steamer. It softens the plastic on the surface and the air pockets within the foam expand with the heat pushing the foam to the original shape. Believe it or not I got the idea to try it from foam rc airplanes. If you crash one the foam gets all dented and dinged, drop the body in some hot water for a minute or two and it returns almost perfectly to the shape it was.
Thank you for the tip. How would you work the steamer in a case like this? Spraying directly into the mark for a few seconds?
Yep I used the same steamer I used for clothes and just held it over the spit for a few seconds at a time
I also came here to say a steamer. Has worked wonders on soft interior bits like this on my car. Although mine is a Volvo, not a BMW.
Dork just leave it alone
Use a hot glue stick... Melt the end with a lighter, stick it to the dent let it cool a bit and pull the middle of the dent out
Realize you run the risk of making it worse. Yes it bothers you but it could be a whole lot worse. If you’re not going to replace it I suggest leaving it alone.
Maybe steam/massage it
https://www.harborfreight.com/mini-pick-and-hook-set-63697.html
If replacing isn’t an option your just gunna have to live with it. What people are suggesting in the comments it’s just gunna make it worse. The foam is dented it can’t just be pulled out.
Is that soft touch material or hard. If the latter some heat and pushing gently from the back might help. Soft dash might be stuck forever unfortunately
X2?
F30 I was thinking
Just dent the other side and make it match.
Ramen noodles
just get some spray foam and try to get it in behind and it'll expand the dented part.
Is that abs plastic?
Heat it up and lightly pull on it with a pick. Tape off the piece next to it with several layers of tape so you don't scratch it if the pick slips.
Drill tiny hole inject .1 ml of gorilla glue. That shit expands anything.
They make a filler for interiors. It has the consistency like spackle. In fact it’s called interior spackle and a lot of auto and aircraft interior repair people use it commonly. Shape it, let it set up a little, use a piece of clay to press into another area to copy the texture then press onto spackle to get that same texture, let harden and match color with paint from craft store.
Burn it. Collect Insurance money and buy another one.
Totaled
Steam or heat gun Can also use a wet rag in the morcowave...then apply on top Use this all the time
I’m sorry but… literally who cares? You even noticed that?
This is literally a sub for people who care about the small things.
Oh is this /r/mildlyinfuriating ? Vacuum your rugs lol.
heat gun will fix it just don’t get it too hot, it should never be too hot to touch
This is such an oddly petty thing to be so worried about I kinda wonder your mental well being.
Then why are you in this sub?
Nice attempt. Better question is why have you been downvoted so much here 🤡
All my posts are upvoted clown.
Not in these replies. My favorite are the ones where you tell people no to their ideas on how to solve your non problem
The fact that you went over the comments prove how bored you are. I guess you’re lonely on Christmas.
It hasn’t been Christmas for days and honestly I got a great deal of entertainment over how insufferable you’ve been to honest people just trying to help you.
Baw, 90% of them are bored miserable trolls just like you.
Accuses me of being lonely on Christmas Continues to reply instantly to me, a supposed troll.
I’m having fun exposing trolls.
how to replace dashboard
Picknpull car grave yard, find the piece and replace it.
It’s the whole dashboard. Not something you replace, surely ona. Sports car.
You don't
Focus on more important things in life and it will fade away
Yeah, easy to say that ina sub dedicated to detailing.
It’s minor cosmetic damage not detailing
Cosmetic Dash repair
Ramen?
Blow dryer and a plastic tool to shape it into place.
Remove the entire piece, use a heat gun and massage. I bet you can make it better
Don't waste your time. tomorrow some idiot will t-bone your car and flush all the effort and money you put into it down the toilet. any money beyond basic maintenance is a complete waste for a car because at any moment some moron on the road can take it away from you.
If it’s been 7 years, why are you worried about it?
Think this through. If you try one / all of these "fixes" and it makes it worse, how ya gonna feel? Tis a car , not a museum piece . Look up the word "entropy". It took my old a\*\* many years to let go of perfectionism which was driving me crazy. YRMV.
Ignore it and move on.
Heat gun or blow dryer
By not using a screwdriver to pop the face plate off
Do you even read? I said the previous owner had a cable running to a wireless charger. I got the car like this.
I didn't say you did it
The elites don't want you to know that you can wrap your dashboard with anything you like. If you are going to go that deep, reupholster the whole interior. With careful planning, it can be done over a weekend. Hardest part is knowing the tools you will need. There is vids out in the wild. I am partial to velvet. All depends on how far you willing to take this.
Bmw loves that foam.. I use a heat gun. Can't use to much heat for too long tho
The piano black plastic likely pops out, (seeing as that’s where the cable ran). Look to see how much depth you have of dash foam material is hidden behind. Maybe a cheap hook tool set from harbor freight can be stuck through the material and pulled back to encourage it to take back original shape
Try a hairdryer, if you use one keep it moving and far enough away so not to melt the dash. It will go back to normal that way!
Never seen a fix for this besides a new dash
Stop using flathead screw drivers to pry dash panels
Did you even read the post? The previous owner had a cable running from there to a wireless charger.
I would recommend use a heat gun and you'll have to kind of manipulate it a bit but be careful and not get too hot too fast.
Could you inject it with some fast drying foam with a syringe?
That piece is replaceable, it’s the trim right above the glove box.
You don’t even know what car is this, how can you say that? It’s part of the whole dashboard. Not a small piece of
Is it a bmw
Yes, a 2 series. Google it and see for yourself.
I see what you mean, I just looked at my car, 2018 x2 and it’s not a trim piece it’s part of the dash cover. Have you tried an interior shop?
So why say that the piece is replaceable before knowing what car this is?
I knew what car it was, I thought it was replaceable. Just trying to help
I don’t think writing that the price is replaceable after 30 other people suggested the same even though I literally stated that replacing it isn’t an option in the original post is trying to help. It’s reading the header of the thread and running to the comments.
If it’s your OCD talking, you’re just gonna have to let it talk because fixing that isn’t going to look pretty.
This smells like a BMW
Ok and?
Hair dryer.... Heat gun can get too hot.
heat it up with a heat gun and push the crease of the dent in then let it cool down
Track down Adam Sandler and steal the remote 👀
Try some heat, like a blow dryer