Does that SEM vinyl dye really work?

[gregfarz78]

I'm finding it hard to find mint condition black interior parts for a car almost 2 decades old, maybe I'm being too picky b/c I'm anal with my cars my spec v interior looks like the day I drove it off the lot. Basically all I have right now is a dash I need to finish the rest of the interior for my coupe I do have some blue trim in good shape I was thinking just dye it black. How good does that really look and does it chip off over time? I just want a nice clean factory looking black interior

[DRIFTMUNKY]

I used to have Brown interior but i painted it black with some spray paint that duplicolor makes...its called vinyl & fabric paint....it worked pretty freakin clean.I did my Dash and everything..hell i didnt even take the dash out of the car.haha..i havent had any problems...ill try to get a pic tomorrow

[coolestandy007]

There's a lot of good info floating around if you search. I've been researching the benefits of a DIY interior color change and it seems to be a good option if done correctly. There's a couple threads discussing it here and I found an excellent link in one of them.

http://www.j-body.org/forums/r...70341

I'm about to start that process so I'll let everyone know how well it works and I'll post pics.

[gregfarz78]

There's a lot of good info floating around if you search. I've been researching the benefits of a DIY interior color change and it seems to be a good option if done correctly. There's a couple threads discussing it here and I found an excellent link in one of them.

http://www.j-body.org/forums/r...70341

I'm about to start that process so I'll let everyone know how well it works and I'll post pics.

That looks ricey as hell but I don't expect much more from a j-body forum, he just used regular old spray paint looks like and its glossy with no texture. I want mine to match stock.

Go to SEMs website they have a better how-to you don't need to do all that sanding either. I was just wondering if anyone here specifically used SEM dye and how well it holds up. I guess prep is key though

[coolestandy007]

I'm almost done with the trial piece. I used the brake light assembly that sits behind the back seat. I did everything in that DIY except the massive ammount of sanding so it retained the stock texture. Couple coats of primer, couple coats of paint and a couple light coats of acrylic enamel. It's not glossy at all and it did the job. I'll post pictures in about an hour when I'm done with the last enamel coat and it dries a bit.
Modified by coolestandy007 at 10:15 AM 5/15/2008

[wingFeather]

Vinyl dye looks great. Do not sand the pieces. If you do, the interior will look smooth (ricey). Just use a strong cleaner/stripper to remove all grease, wax, and dirt that accumulate over 20 years. That way the dye will adhere properly. Try a few different brands on a test piece to see which you like the best.

[coolestandy007]

Here are the pictures. Everything is dry, I'm just letting it completely cure and I'm about to start removing the other pieces to do the whole interior. I cleaned the pieces with water and a bit of dishwasher soap and then with rubbing alcohol since mineral spirits or anything like that is too strong. Primer was 2 light coats and one medium coat no sanding. Paint was the same and then for the acrylic enamel I went with 3 light coats so that it was covered but not glossy. You guys judge by yourselves.

[lunatyk]

nicee, came out CLEANN

[gregfarz78]

not bad what kind of paint did you use?

[coolestandy007]

I used Dupli-Color Filler Primer, Dupli-Color Truck, Van & SUV flat black and Dupli-Color Acrylic Enamel. If you see, skipping all that sanding and using light coats lets you keep the stock texture.

[ANVIL]

how does it do against scratches?

[mrgreeneyes]

in my coupe, the rear interior pieces were blue, so i used a duplicolor product made to restore black/charcoal plastic bumper covers. worked AWESOME, laid great, and literally looks so factory it fooled didderson. came in a green spray can from advance auto. its like "bumper and trim" paint.

looks 100% factory

[gregfarz78]

nice I'm definitely going to do this b/c its easier to find cheap blue trim pieces and paint them black then trying to find mint condition black trim

[Cory_Marshall]

I have the Tan interior and I LOVE it..

Im VERY anal about having my cars interior mint aswell, Mine looks pretty close to mint.. I bought ALOT of cleaners and spent HOURS cleaning, vaccuuming etc.

Vinyl dyes work but if you've ever used Armour All or Other products like that the Vinyl Dye wont Take right..

[coolestandy007]

I haven't tested against scratches. I usually take really good care of my cars so that's not an issue, but something cool I tought about was the fact that since the primer paint and lacquer I used are for the ouside of a car, then scratches could be taken care of with products normally used for dents and dings. Hell, I could even wax my interior if I really felt like it when its done.

[coolestandy007]

I just removed a lot more of the interior. The arm rest, the door panels the radio trim. Some of them are smooth plastic parts so I'm doing some sanding, I'll post pics of the finished product.




Modified by coolestandy007 at 9:48 AM 5/22/2008

[coolestandy007]

By the way, sorry for the bit of thread jacking, but since it's related, here's some pictures of the door with reupholstered door inserts. Everything I have done I have found by searching the forums so let that be a lesson to other new members before typing the dreaded "where can I find?" post.