While the Vette body is being repaired, I thought I'd get started on other projects, like interior stuff. I have 72 with Saddle interior. Dash is in great shape, needs nothing. Console could use some cleaning up, along with emerg brake housing and seatbacks. Also, shifter trim bezel and guage bezel needs the black repainted. With the correct color code (only ONE saddle in 72, I read) and considering 34 yrs old, how close do the factory interior colors match. I dont want to remove the upper dash, or the lowers for that matter, they look great. Wondering if painting the console and not painting the dash parts, it will look like crap???

I know it depends on how much MINE has faded, etc..but was just looking for anybody's experiences and recommendations.

ALSO....pieces like the guage bezel, side shark fin vents, etc that are painted but have chrome accents...how do you guys restore those pieces..ie paint them but keep the chrome edges "unpainted"....

Sounds like, from Pacific Corvettes, I'll have ALL WINTER to work on these "other" projects!!!

Thanks,
Rob

 

Just to get started, order the interior "dye" from one of the Corvette houses. I bought my last rattle cans from Zip. Also, buy the "primer" which you'll need for interior parts. This will allow you to renew the hard plastic parts and the metal parts around the steering wheel.

There have been some posts about to paint the chrome edged black painted console pieces. Painting these parts can be trickey. I used a SEM exterior trim black paint, with primer, for my interior black pieces. I bought 1/8 inch and 1/16 inch masking tape from a model airplane store to mask off the chrome edges of the center instrument bezel and the shift plate bezel. Used a razor blade X-acto blade to trim the paint off of the lettering on the bezels. I bought my SEM paint cans from Eastwood.

 

I have used Dupi color spray dye on metal with good results.
It is easier to spray the whole part then clean back the areas you dont want paint.
I do it with paint thinner ...or razors...or my fingernail (safest)
Just before its totally dry is best...try it on something unimportant first.

 

I pulled my entire medium saddle interior on my 73' and dyed EVERYTHING to match a new console and to freshen up the car.
It was very easy, rewarding and with new carpet..... the interior looks showroom floor new!
- Start with the paint, I ordered dye and primer through Corvette America. You will need more paint that what you think, especially if you do everything! I went through 6 or 7 cans of dye and 3 or 4 cans of primer.
- Remove everything you wish to dye, my case it was everything. I also suggest one buy an interior screw set. An entire screw set from one of the vendors will run about $30.
- Once all the pieces are out then scrub clean them with a brush and cleaner. I used Simple Green mixed with soapy water and it worked very well.
- Let the pieces dry for a few days then hit them with a light coat of primer and you are ready to dye an hour or so later. Go slow with the primer, a nice clean, light coat.
- The take your time to slowly hot the pieces with the spray dye. Watch out for thick applications, better to go slow and build up the color after a few lighter coats.
Once you are done the pieces will look brand new!!!

For the bezels, I tapped off the chrome edges with tape and sprayed with a Krylon Flat Black or Simi and they looked awesome. But it was actually easier NOT taping the pieces, spraying and letting them tack up then I just lightly scraped off paint from the chrome with my thumb and razor blade and this worked best!! They also look brand new.