Dash Pad Re-Dye
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 4
From: Clovis NM
Dash Pad Re-Dye
Upon cleaning my dash pads on the 65, some black flaked off and exposed tiny speckles of white I think. I don't know it they were dyed previous or what, but the pads themselves are in great shape. No tears or repairs. Should I just "dust" the pads with some black, or do I need to redye the entire thing?
And what are the best over the counter dyes I can get at autozone or kragen or walmart?
And what are the best over the counter dyes I can get at autozone or kragen or walmart?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 18
From: cooper city florida
If there are just a few tiny specs and they are not very deep,I might try dotting them with a black Sharpie. When I bought my car,it had a pea sized wear spot that was kinda white/gray color on the drivers side dash pad. Put a little Kiwi black shoe polish on it,and lightly buffed out with a clean rag. Absolutely undetectable repair.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,347
Likes: 36
From: San Clemente CA
I've used the black KIWI leather dye in an applicator bottle ( liquid ). It comes with a sponge applicator and works pretty good. I've used it on my leather seats and a couple spots on the pad.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 4
From: Clovis NM
The shoe polish idea is not working.. and as I look closer I notice more and more white i nthe texture of the pads. Can I dust it or will it come out strange? And what gloss do I use? All I can find was Gloss and Flat.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 4
From: Clovis NM
They all say Black Dye... Semi Flat = Satin doesn't it? I am leaving town in a few days for 2 months and was trying to get this thing wrapped up. having to order dye will kill that. I assume Flat and Gloss are not correct then?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 101
From: Riverhead New York
Your local Auto Body Supply should be able to make correct Vinyl Dye to any Spec you wish. The trick is in the prep. Clean it thoroughly and Armor All free! Lots of wiping, over and over with strong solvent such as Lacquer Thinners and a clean Rag each time. Allow drying period between each wipe. Then spray carefully and lightly. Al W.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 4
From: Clovis NM
Your local Auto Body Supply should be able to make correct Vinyl Dye to any Spec you wish. The trick is in the prep. Clean it thoroughly and Armor All free! Lots of wiping, over and over with strong solvent such as Lacquer Thinners and a clean Rag each time. Allow drying period between each wipe. Then spray carefully and lightly. Al W.
. I cleaned them already, but cannot get the proper sheen. Is it Satin, Gloss or what? anyone know? I got duplicolors Gloss and Flat.. but I don't think those are correct.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,554
Likes: 381
From: Strongsville, OH
2016 C2 of the Year Finalist
I think you could do a dusting in the satin and bring up the gloss afterward by using some Lemon Pledge on it. I redyed my red with LIC dye and felt it was too dull when finished. Many guys here suggested using the Lemon Pledge to bring up the gloss which worked great for me. You could test spray some satin on a corner of the pad by the door pillar and use the Pledge on it to see what you think of the end result. 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 4
From: Clovis NM
I think you could do a dusting in the satin and bring up the gloss afterward by using some Lemon Pledge on it. I redyed my red with LIC dye and felt it was too dull when finished. Many guys here suggested using the Lemon Pledge to bring up the gloss which worked great for me. You could test spray some satin on a corner of the pad by the door pillar and use the Pledge on it to see what you think of the end result.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
If I had to do the black dash pads on my 65, I'd dye them until they looked like new vinyl seat covers. A little sheen that makes it obvious it's vinyl. If they are glossy they'll look like something that had been painted.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 4
From: Clovis NM
I've been watching this thread for a bit and I'm going to volunteer this non-NCRS-certified opinion...
If I had to do the black dash pads on my 65, I'd dye them until they looked like new vinyl seat covers. A little sheen that makes it obvious it's vinyl. If they are glossy they'll look like something that had been painted.
If I had to do the black dash pads on my 65, I'd dye them until they looked like new vinyl seat covers. A little sheen that makes it obvious it's vinyl. If they are glossy they'll look like something that had been painted.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,692
Likes: 3,681
From: Central Arkansas
This is what you need to use unless you have a spray gun and compressor. Clean the heck out of them with a scrub brush/soap and water - and a good wipe down with something like PrepSol would be a good idea. I would be afraid to wipe them down with lacquer thinner as you could end up with a mess if they have been dyed before - although if you want to take it back to the original finish, thinner and a lot of scrubbing with brushes and rags will do it. Also use an adhesive promotor like Bulldog before spraying on the dye.
