That tick, buzz or squeak from the dashboard is nearly always two hard surfaces touching. Plastic trim panels, clips, lids and loose items vibrate against each other as you drive. Put a thin layer of felt between them and the noise stops. It's quick, cheap and you don't need to take the car to a garage.
Step 1: Find the Rattle
This is the hard part, and it's worth doing properly before you stick anything down.
- Empty the car first. Glovebox, door pockets, cup holders, the boot and the spare wheel well. Loose coins, sunglasses and the jack are behind a lot of "rattles".
- Take a passenger. Drive a road that sets the noise off while they listen and pinpoint it.
- Press and listen. When the noise starts, your passenger presses firmly on nearby panels one at a time. When the rattle stops, you've found it.
Common culprits include the edges where dashboard panels meet, the glovebox lid, door cards, the centre console, sunglasses holders, the parcel shelf, rear seat backs and headrests, and seat belt buckles tapping against trim.
Step 2: Fix It with Felt
- Clean the spot. Dashboard sprays and interior protectants leave a slippery film that stops tape sticking. Wipe it off, then let the surface dry.
- Cut the felt to size. It cuts cleanly with scissors into strips, pads or shapes.
- Stick it where the two parts touch. Put it on the edge or the face of one part, so the felt sits between them when the panel is back in place.
- Press it down firmly across the whole piece, especially the edges, and give it time to bond before refitting anything.
For clips and panel joins you may need to ease the trim apart slightly. Use a plastic trim tool rather than a screwdriver to avoid marks and broken clips.
Which Width?
Our felt is 1mm thick, so it fits into tight gaps without stopping panels clipping back together.
- 10mm to 15mm: trim edges, clips and narrow joins.
- 20mm to 25mm: contact points on door cards, consoles and lids.
- 50mm to 150mm: lining gloveboxes, door pockets, cubby trays and boot floors, so loose items stop sliding and knocking.
If the gap is bigger than the felt can fill, or a panel needs pushing back into place, a thicker EPDM sponge tape in 1mm to 3mm cushions it more. Our sponge tape thickness guide helps you choose.
Where Not to Use It
Felt tape is for trim and interior noise only. Keep it away from:
- Airbag covers and the trim around them, including the steering wheel, dashboard airbag panels, seats and pillar trims
- Seat belts, buckles and their mechanisms
- Pedals, the floor around the pedals and anything that moves
- Heater outlets, the engine bay and other hot areas
- Electrical connectors and wiring
Car interiors get very hot in summer. We don't publish a temperature rating for this felt, so test first and check your fix after the first hot spell.
Around the Home Too
The same idea works anywhere hard surfaces knock together: rattling drawers and cupboard doors, ornaments and lamps marking furniture, or chair legs scratching hard floors. For non-critical jobs like these, our ASVE felt tape is a lower-cost option. It isn't tested for car use, so stick to our Flashback felt for vehicles.
FAQs
Is it safe to use in my car?
Yes, on interior trim, as long as you keep it away from airbags, seat belts, pedals, hot areas and electrics.
Will it stick to fabric or carpet?
It's made for clean, dry, smooth hard surfaces. Adhesion to fabric and rough surfaces is weaker, so test first.
How thick is it?
1mm, which fits most trim gaps without stopping panels clipping back in.
Where is it made?
Our Flashback felt tape is made in Great Britain.