Chrome trim on dash blistering off-fix?

[Vorlon]

We purchased a 2015 Encore Leather that had the same problem with the chrome peeling off. I pried the U shaped piece off with a spudge as 2007LucerneCXL mentioned starting at the bottom. It was fairly easy and there was one electrical connection to release before removing it from the car. I purchased a 5' by 1' piece of 3M 1080 G120 Gloss White Aluminum vinyl wrap on Amazon for $19. After sanding off the loose chips the wrap was applied while heating with a hair dryer and stretching it out carefully. You can see the results in the attached pictures. I also sanded and applied some of the wrap to cover the rear bumper panel and that made it look close to new again. Very satisfied with the results and the wrap comes in many colors.

 

[asdx1234]

I was mistaken. My center console is not flaking at all it is in good shape. The part around the shifter was flaking really bad. There were little chrome flakes always flying around in the car, on the seat, getting into drinks in the cupholder, etc.

It is not hard to remove the part around the shifter it just pops out. I used a tiny flat blade screwdriver. Removing the part from the car is something I could not do. I searched and found nothing on removing the shifter knob so that entire part will come out. The shifter boot and plastic piece with P R N D M on it is all one piece.

Now you could just cut the leather boot, and it would come out. Then you could work on figuring out how to get the shifter knob off. If you were planning on replacing the entire part with a new one.

I did not want to break mine. My shifter knob is in really nice shape. It works perfectly. My boot is in great shape too.

I put a towel underneath the part, and sanded it while in the car. I unplugged the connector that is hooked to this part because I sanded down the P R N D M and the light did not look good at all. Unplugging this connector only turned off the light that illuminates the P R N D M on the shifter piece. When the car is put in gear it will still show on the dash. It was a chore to get the connector unplugged it did not want to budge.

I will go back and paint it when it is not so cold outside. I may replace it later if I can figure out how to remove the knob without damaging it. I am not sure.

The chrome flakes getting everywhere had to be fixed though.

 

[encore2016]

We purchased a 2015 Encore Leather that had the same problem with the chrome peeling off. I pried the U shaped piece off with a spudge as 2007LucerneCXL mentioned starting at the bottom. It was fairly easy and there was one electrical connection to release before removing it from the car. I purchased a 5' by 1' piece of 3M 1080 G120 Gloss White Aluminum vinyl wrap on Amazon for $19. After sanding off the loose chips the wrap was applied while heating with a hair dryer and stretching it out carefully. You can see the results in the attached pictures. I also sanded and applied some of the wrap to cover the rear bumper panel and that made it look close to new again. Very satisfied with the results and the wrap comes in many colors.
View attachment 27687

Looks very nice.

Let me ask you something, when you mention pry out the U shaped piece, you mention the black part with the chrome or only the flaking chrome trim?
As you might imagine I recently bought an Encore with the same issue, I jumped in the deal because I thought it should be simple to fix.

If I'm successful with my fix I'll post here my experience to add some value in this post.

Thank you.

 

[Vorlon]

Looks very nice.

Let me ask you something, when you mention pry out the U shaped piece, you mention the black part with the chrome or only the flaking chrome trim?
As you might imagine I recently bought an Encore with the same issue, I jumped in the deal because I thought it should be simple to fix.

If I'm successful with my fix I'll post here my experience to add some value in this post.

Thank you.

I only pried off the U shaped chrome piece with a plastic spudge to avoid scratching the black plastic next to it.
Good luck, it really isn't that difficult if you work slowly with the GM vinyl and stretch it out while heating lightly.

 

[buickboy88]

I finally got around to doing this. Here are a few pictures of the process:



Applied hair dryer heat to conform the vinyl. Used a razor blade to cut.

Project took me about 3 hours. 10 minutes to remove the panel, 2 hours to sand with 150 grit sand paper, and about an hour to apply the vinyl and cut it.

Items:

• Chrome Vinyl Wrap ($8.90)
• Trim Removal Tool ($4.99)

 

[encore2016]

I finally got around to doing this. Here are a few pictures of the process:

View attachment 29018View attachment 29019View attachment 29020View attachment 29022View attachment 29023View attachment 29024View attachment 29026View attachment 29027View attachment 29028View attachment 29029

Applied hair dryer heat to conform the vinyl. Used a razor blade to cut.

Project took me about 3 hours. 10 minutes to remove the panel, 2 hours to sand with 150 grit sand paper, and about an hour to apply the vinyl and cut it.

Items:

• Chrome Vinyl Wrap ($8.90)
• Trim Removal Tool ($4.99)

Great job.

I didn't do it myself yet but thank you for the detailed post.
The chrome really looks like the original, at least in the pictures.

Looking out in the internet I found out that in Europe the same car is named as Vauxhall Mokka and they suffer of the same problem as you can see in this forum . Chrome radio/ AC panel suround peeling

There are some pictures of a carbon fiber vynil wrap, not my taste but anyway.

I'm deciding if I go with a White Aluminum, the chrome or a darker glossy metallic one.

Thank you again for the details. You should post the same instructions there in the Mokka forum.

 

[Vorlon]

Excellent workmanship!
I used the white aluminum because it was a good match to the "rear bumper underplate" original finish and I had enough left over to do the console trim.
I think I prefer your color choice, BuickBoy88, for the interior trim, however.
Good photos too so others will try this inexpensive fix.

 

[Outtolearn88]

I finally got around to doing this. Here are a few pictures of the process:

View attachment 29018View attachment 29019View attachment 29020View attachment 29022View attachment 29023View attachment 29024View attachment 29026View attachment 29027View attachment 29028View attachment 29029

Applied hair dryer heat to conform the vinyl. Used a razor blade to cut.

Project took me about 3 hours. 10 minutes to remove the panel, 2 hours to sand with 150 grit sand paper, and about an hour to apply the vinyl and cut it.

Items:

• Chrome Vinyl Wrap ($8.90)
• Trim Removal Tool ($4.99)

Thanks for sharing the details, Really looks good 👍🌈

 

[talk2bobbie]

Ugh! I have the same issue. Around the radio and gear shift bezel as well. If anyone has fixed the issue please let me know. It looks horrible!

 

[talk2bobbie]

Thanks for sharing the details, Really looks good 👍🌈

Thanks!! I am scared to try it but I guess it can't look any worse 🤷‍♀️

 

[Buzz2014]

We purchased a 2015 Encore Leather that had the same problem with the chrome peeling off. I pried the U shaped piece off with a spudge as 2007LucerneCXL mentioned starting at the bottom. It was fairly easy and there was one electrical connection to release before removing it from the car. I purchased a 5' by 1' piece of 3M 1080 G120 Gloss White Aluminum vinyl wrap on Amazon for $19. After sanding off the loose chips the wrap was applied while heating with a hair dryer and stretching it out carefully. You can see the results in the attached pictures. I also sanded and applied some of the wrap to cover the rear bumper panel and that made it look close to new again. Very satisfied with the results and the wrap comes in many colors.
View attachment 27687

That looks great. I'll be over to your house this weekend to do mine next!

 

[KenEss]

Haven't done the small trim around the radio, but have done the grear shift piece.
Just gently pry up one corner of the shifter piece and work it up around until it pops off. There are some friction clips underneath that holds the PRNDL light and "Leather" boot. I used my fingernail to pry the clips, again, gently, to seperate these, going around it. This should allow you to work it over the shifter knob. Once you have it out, the small chrome bezel has the same friction clips to hold it. on.
To get the "chrome finish" off, I used a basin of hot water and let it set in the sun for a bit. Most of it came off with just a few wipes. What didn't come off, a number of specks on the left side, I used a green pad to help it off, and it didn't seem to scratch it. A Knife would.
Sorry no pics, cause it's already done.

 

[Acceptance417]

I am so glad I went on this thread. I got my car about a year ago and that was always my only complaint and I thought there was nothing I could do to fix it. I am pretty crafty so I am sure with all the instructions and awesome photos posted on here I will be able to get this done.
Just one question, has anyone had a problem with the plastic like leather pealing off around the top of the shifter knob? It is kind of like you have the center that you push on, then you have the chrome around that, and then comes the black plastic or whatever it is material that cover the rest of the knob. Well that is peeling around the chrome. Anyone else?

 

[Samhartman1]

Mine is flaking off too! 2015 Buick Encore

How long did this take? My wifes 16 encore was perfect before a tree branch fell on it and broke the sunroof. After 2 weeks at the body shop it was cracked and flaking on the entire piece. The body shop says they didn't do it and the insurance says it wasn't caused by the accident.

 

[Lch]

I signed up for this thread. Just purchased a 2013 Encore and this is the only real problem I am having.

BTW: Every encore I have looked at over the past 8 months has had this problem.

180$ for this part wow that is crazy

Was this ever fixed and how hard to remove the trim piece in the pictures above?

Also my encore has the same issue around the shifter trim piece.

I was using my fingernails to remove the chrome stuff on it and it looks like I don't really have to take it off to get the chrome paint off of it I can probably try some kind of sos pad or something and it will just end up black. But I would like to remove the trim piece, and paint it nice.

Any info on how to do it?

I’m facing the peeling on my shifter trim also. I think it should be covered by Buick. I’m trying to figure out who to contact from Buick. The Buick service department hasn’t been helpful.
It started my first year with a new Encore.

 

[DocBrown]

I’m facing the peeling on my shifter trim also. I think it should be covered by Buick. I’m trying to figure out who to contact from Buick. The Buick service department hasn’t been helpful.
It started my first year with a new Encore.

If it's out of warranty you've got a fight on your hands. Try Buick Customer Service, 1-800-521-7300.

 

[smwalker]

Curios there are blue lights on the back of that radio surround piece. What do they light up? They perform some sort of halo effect? Do you still see it when you wrap it with Vinyl?

 

[G-706740]

I would like to remove the thin chrome trim piece that frames the center dash controls on my 2014 Encore. The chrome overlaying the plastic has blistered and is flaking off. If I can pop off that trim I could sand off the remaining chrome overlay and either paint it flat black or try to do a wrap. I am scared of popping it off and breaking it. As I test prayed it up, it looked like lighting wires are connected to it. Any advice would be most helpful. Please see photos:

Just finish taking all the chrome off and at night it is a nice blue illumination! I love mine! it matches the blue or aqua hue that comes from the glove box mount gap and door panels. In my opinion, they should have never made it chrome. It would match and look way better with no paint to let the blue light do its thing!