I seem to remember that you can buy dye in an can that you can spray on various interior parts to "freshen up" the color, like the seat backs, header plastics parts, etc. Can anyone point me to the right product? I need red for a '79. Thanks in advance!

 

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/le...ubmitfind=View

 

Can you spray your dash and center console with that stuff? I am thinking about doing it..

 

You can redye just about any of the vinyl in the car. You can actually even use the stuff to redye some of the carpets. I redid most of my interior last year and if prepared correctly, the end result is great.

I used SEM products and was very satisfied. Bought them at Eastwood online but you can get them in almost any body/paint shop.

And yes, you can do the dash. Many people repair the cracks/splits and then re-dye and it looks great.

Take your time, prep is the key to a good finish.

 

Well sure - most of the interior plastic in these cars start out as some basic color first, either black or white and then get "dyed" (i.e. painted) the interior color anyway.

 

Hello,
I found repainting the plastic parts on my interior looked much better with acrylic paint. I had some paint matched to my color (saddle), and using low pressure on a small spray gun layered the paint on.
If you put it on on a hot day it virtually dries straight away, but I stess layer it on in thin coats.
The thinners etches into the plastic and is very durable, mine looks as good as new.
Regards,
Chris

 

You definitely want to use interior vinyl dye (not any kind of paint). You can buy them "ready made" at many mail order Corvette parts places. However, if you want an exact match, go to a local paint store that specializes in car paints (call around and ask). Some can look up the original color mix from your trim color (on body plate) and get it just right. My suggestion is to get a pint of it and also buy a Preval bottle sprayer and 2 or 3 spare power units [canned gas]...that is, if you don't have a sprayer. These things are great; easy to use, nice clean spray, very little excess spray into the air. You can pour what you don't use back into the can and clean up with paint thinner sprayed from the paint bottle. The result will amaze you. I stripped my entire interior, redyed about half the pieces, just cleaned the other half and you can't tell the difference. Also, when you get done, go to some car parts stores and ask for a bottle of Nu-Vinyl (white bottle). It is made by the same company who makes Nu-Finish (orange bottle) and is the best stuff around to protect your interior parts...EVERYTHING including seats! It wipes on easy, dries on its own, no buffing, and gives a great luster to everything. It doesn't peel off with time, lasts forever, and lets you clean with just a damp cloth. Your interior will look like new in no time! Good luck!

 

Quick question about the dye.... I am considering changing my interior from oxblood to actual red. I have plans to replace all the plastic trim in my car, which is still in good shape, with red. Can a fella take red dye, and changed the oxblood color to red? If so, how does it look, how well does it wear? Just trying to consider all of my options.

Thanks,
BL

 

Yes you can do this with great results, you should not be able to recognize the dyed parts from the bought parts, go for it, you will save a bundle and get the same results as replacing with new

 

Interior parts, such as the black bezels and center console parts (*that are metal) use the DupliColor TP-70. Restored the 71 interior center gauge cluster & shift bezel & seat backs and they came out nice.

SEM products has vinyl prep & vinyl "color coats", as already mentioned can be purchased at your local auto paint suppliers. See http://www.semproducts.com - if you need to match ask for their color chart on their website, may also be available at your local paint supplier...

 

Try Corvette America one can did a friends seat backs, door handle bezels, seat hinge covers and steering column. use strong cleaner to remove silicone. you'll love it.

 

That is good news. I am starting to think this will save me a grand... maybe two... on my interior. That leaves more for the engine

Speaking of... I am also pondering side pipes for the 75. Does anyone have a pic of a 75 with side pipes, can recommend a nice set, preferably ceramic so my wife won't burn her leg climbing out of the car.

RF

 

Don't laugh, but Krylon makes a paint called Fusion. It is made specifically for plastics. I used it first on my ATV I use to pull the dragbike. Darn durable. So I tried it on the plastic parts on our '80. Really looks great! Only $4 a can. The Corvette America stuff is $15 a can.
The Krylon Fusion comes in many colors from Satin Black to "Hot Pink" (euwww). The Satin Black looks like normal interior black that has Armorall on it. Save the $15 stuff for fabrics, use the $4 stuff for the Plastics.
As with any dyes and paints, prep is everything!!!

 

Works great just be sure to prep everything...3 times



Link to Project 77
http://peachstateposse.com/ipw-web/gallery/album243

 

SUPER JOB!!!! , AL.

 

The key to doing the plastic parts it to "PREP" them FIRST! Mid-America sells a "Plastic Prep" to be used before you dye. I've done some plastic parts with and without prepping and th dye just won't stick even to new plastic without prepping. I wasted a half a can once before I did it the correct way. Carpet on the other hand - being made out of material absorbes the dye much more readily. I plan on redying my 95 black carpet that has turned a little "gray" due to sun exposure.

 

I have used the Corvette America red dye on my 79's interior parts, specifically the seat backs and am not entirely happy with the results. It doesn't want to cover on the edges of the seat backs where they have worn over the years and show a black color. I've done countless light coats and it just doesn't seem to be covering. I cleaned the parts very thoroughly, prepped with SEM sand free primer and another SEM product that I can't remember the name right now. I used the same prep products to redo dark blue trim in my Z28 that I used to own and it worked wonderfully. The only thing different in the 2 cars was the Corvette America red dye VS SEM dark blue dye on the Z. Anyway, anyone have any suggestions as to how the get the red dye on the Vette to cover better?

 

Can anyone recommend a place to have some interior trim and lower dash part dyed. I'm looking for the very best please, I live in northern MD. Thanks AL.

 

Thanks AL was a job but well worth it...I'm doing my 82 CE right now, one good thing not as many parts on a later C3s

 

Last fall I finally gave up on keeping the stock Camel color and started to change it to black, then it got too cold for my "just moved from South Florida to Utah" self and gave up until spring. I used DupliColor "Vinyl and Fabric" on various non-plastic parts and the results are fantastic, they look like new. No idea on durability yet as the interior is still pretty much tore out. I also bought some American Tradition by Valspar Plastic Enamel for the hard plastic bits, which claims "Bonds to plastic, Fast drying, no sanding, will not peel or chip, no priming needed" on the can. I haven't tried it yet so I'll see how it goes.

As mentioned I'm going with Black which should be easier to match and cover better.

BTW, it's now spring and I'm ready to start working on it again, which is why I'm back. I know, I know, I should have done it over the winter so I could be out driving but after 5 years in Florida I've become a wuss about cold.