JAC

I went to dealership today because my dash was chipping and fading on some spots (it was obviously painted), the guy tells me that it's suposed to be painted and that it was my fault because I used some "inadecuate" cleaning product, I was like "WTF!?!", dash are not suposed to be painted and even if they were one would think that it should be safe to use regular car interior cleaning products on them; I used Meguires wipes wich I've used before in other cars without having any problems. The guy said that they would re-paint the dash but that if it happened again it would be on me.
I asked him why in the name of god would the part of the interior that takes most abuse be painted? that the sun alone would mess it up in a couple of years, the guy says, and this is what pissed me off the most, that "all new cars come with painted dashes" I was like "no way man, I've been in new cars and their dashes are not painted". We left it at that, but I really want to prove this guy wrong. Is the dash for the protege/P5/Mp3/MSP painted? it doesn't look like it from the pictures, the part is all dark grey right? can anyone give me the part number? (Calling TheMan ) I'd go as far as asking him to order it and that if it's not dark grey Ill pay for it, if it is then they pay for it.

Thanx.

redrims

As far as I know it isn't painted. I didn't think it was.

This is one example of why I HATE dealerships.

SEA_P5

The dash is not painted, I have a roll of stock vinyl that I use to do some custom stuff and I know that the dealer is trying to cover up some defects by painting the dash...call up mazda...I would demand them to fix it...

Zombiefreak

I've been involved in the plastics industry for several years now, and I can tell you for a fact that dash boards are NOT painted when they are initially produced. That would be like saying the cases on computers are painted and not produced that way. The only parts that are usually painted are those with wording or pictures, ie: turn signals, wipers, fog lights, etc.

JAC

The guy that told me this works at a local mazda factory, I'm calling my dad's friend who works at mazda to see what he can do.

It pisses me off that the guy was trying to make me believe that it was normal for the dash to be painted and had the nerve of saying that all new cars have them painted as well, that unpainted dash boards were a thing of the past such as the headlights being made out of glass unlike todays plastic ones .

For the record, I don't live in the US.

TheMAN

Send an email to Mazda USA anyway and ask them to give you an official explaination/proof to your stupid dealer. Mazda USA is a big enough representative that they handle things from various countries from around the world.

SEA_P5

It does not matter where you live...I have not heard of anyone painting the dash as a "standard option." You have a crooked sales guy that needs to be spanked. Call Mazda and get it verified.

hihoslva

Only the plastic trim parts are painted.

I'm assuming you and your dealer are arguing over the gray portion of the dash - DEFINITELY not painted. Sounds like someone fucked up that dash at one point, and tried to cover their tracks.

Any of the silvery trim IS a paint, though. For example - if you pull off the window-switch trim, you'll see the underside is BROWN plastic.

Where on the dash did this happen?

~HH

MisterT

JAC
I read your post and wanted to know what the outcome is. Hopefully that salesman won't be there much longer. I didn't have that great of an experience buying my Protege when I purchased it at a Mazda dealership. Cars are fun, but shopping for them can be the biggest pain in the @!!#.

Michael