Windshield reflection
 

Recently bought a 2011 Buick Lacrosse CXS..... with the ebony leather interior...
they used white accent trimming....which on a sunny day in a particular direction....
creates a pearl necklace effect on the windshield.. Anybody have or heard of this
problem and what can be done?

Doubt anything other than painting the trim. Things like that happen engineering wise and could be your height didn't fall into "norm" I'm very tall and at night the bottom of the dash throws itself onto the windshield near the top. I haye it but can't move the dash down or raise the windshield up.

The prevention of that glare is a very stringent automotive interior design criteria, and is very closely evaluated during vehicle development. It surprises me to hear you are encountering this issue. Are you tall? Short? Did anyone use Armorall on the IP top pad?

If your getting to much glare. Avoid products that will make your dash shine. The more shiny it is the more it will glare.

I have a VW CC and it has a lot of aluminum polish trim on it. When its sunny out it gets annoying with the way it casts a glare.

to all who have answered...so far
 

This is a new 2011 Lacrosse with ebony interior with what they call french stitching with is
white.....There's the problem-
With the brown interior - they used brown stitching.. with the titanium interior- they used
gray stitching....but some yahoo decided with the black- they used white stitching....
you don't see this " what I call white pearl necklace" hanging with those interiors!

As for my height- I'm 5'10-11".....I've had a person 5'7"....a person 6'2'" sit in it and they
all see it.....

Upon my last visit- ran into a garage tech and show him- first thing out of his mouth
"why didn't they use black stitching".....

No I have not used any products on the dash.....

The solution is very simple- the cowling is a separate piece attached to the dash....
replace it with one that has black/ebony stitching!!!!! But they won't do that!!!!!

Wear polarized sun glasses. I bet that cures most of the problem.

Just so I am clear, are you referring to the "eye brow", or the section where the IP top pad is raised up above the instrument cluster. Keep in mind the dealer can't replace that with a part that is not manufactured. It sounds simple to change the thread from white to black, but that would have to go right back to the supplier that makes the part for GM.

The issue you are referring to is called "veiling glare". It would be interesting to see a picture if you can post one.

Hi His,

Sorry to hear about your problem. I've been selling these cars since they came out in the fall of '09 and this is the first I've heard of this. Not discounting what you're experiencing mind you, just haven't seen it firsthand. I've demo'd many of these with the ebony interior (and I'm 5' 11") and have never had an issue.

Now keep in mind I always wear polarized sunglasses so that may be a part of it. Have you considered a light coat of window tint? Not that you want to have to tint the car to cure the problem but good quality ceramic tint will cut heat transmission and glare considerably without darkening the interior to the point you can't see at night. As a last resort (if it were my car) I'd consider taking my Sharpie marker and making the French stitching dark just on that "eyebrow". Not an ideal solution by any means but if it works.....

I'll take one out tomorrow and see if I can replicate your problem and perhaps find a solution. Congrats on a great car.

Hi... thanks for the response.....
It's caused from the reflection on the round cowl which they choose to use white stitching....
It looks like - I call it "white pearl necklace" hanging down your window....
You don't see it in the brown or grey because they used corresponding color....
But you do with the ebony interior on a SUNNY day.....it varies in intensity.......
As I was walking out of the dealer- they have a metallic black/ebony interior CXS inside
under an atrium.. You can see this reflection through the back window....
I happens to stop a techn walking by and pointed it out...his comment-"why didn't they use black thread!"

I think what we discussed in PM's is going to be your only real option. Get a brand new sharp Sharpie and touchup the threads.