Interior Paint and Dye
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 3
From: Madisonville Kentucky
Interior Paint and Dye
I am getting ready to do some resto work on my interior.* My interior color is black.* My leather seats are in good shape (no cracks or splits ect.) but there is some worn spots where the color has faded. Is there a particular Dye that I can get to apply to leather seats and if so, any suggestions on where to purchase it?Also, what type of paint would you suggest for the other interior parts such as the dash, center console etc?* Will it look new again after painting?Thanks 
Last edited by LSH77VETTE; Feb 27, 2008 at 04:45 PM. Reason: Mispelling
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 3
From: Madisonville Kentucky
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,623
Likes: 22
From: Boise Idaho
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '15, '17
Get some SEM vinyl rattle can paint and give the seats a few light coats. They should look quite a bit better afterward. Maybe get both Landau Black and Gloss Black. They also have Satin Black but that might be a little too dull. Call around and find out who has both colors quite a few auto parts stores carry it. They also have Classic Coat in Black. It might be formulated more for Leather but I've used the Color Coat on Leather before with no issues.
Last edited by TMU; Feb 27, 2008 at 05:19 PM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Barrie Ontario
I did my '77 last summer...really easy if you have the time and patience. Go to your local "automotive paint supplier", the one that the autobody guys go to, they have everything you'll need, dye, paint, cleaners and Professional Advice. You can match or mix any colour you want and they have the chip colours with the correct mixes. Use a bottle with the aresol attached, and you can see how much dye and paint you're using. I went through 4 aerosol cannisters with a little left over. Used 1 litre (quart for you) and covered all the parts 3 times, one very light, progressing to a full coat on the third pass. Dry time at least one and a half hour between coats as I was going from buckskin to dark blue. I did every part of the interior excluding the seats. You could use the dye on all materials in the car...I did...and no problem with cracking, etc. The dye is designed to 'bend' with the product. Remeber, the most important issue...CLEAN and then some (at least 3-4 times with new cleaner and cloths each time)...do not scrimp on this issue, takes a huge amount of time, but the results are fantastic. My car now looks like it came out of the showroom, complete new interior including custom two tone leathers and foam from Al Knoch in Texas (I'm in Ontario, Canada).
Good luck
Domer
Good luck
Domer
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 3
From: Madisonville Kentucky
Get some SEM vinyl rattle can paint and give the seats a few light coats. They should look quite a bit better afterward. Maybe get both Landau Black and Gloss Black. They also have Satin Black but that might be a little too dull. Call around and find out who has both colors quite a few auto parts stores carry it. They also have Classic Coat in Black. It might be formulated more for Leather but I've used the Color Coat on Leather before with no issues.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 3
From: Madisonville Kentucky
I did my '77 last summer...really easy if you have the time and patience. Go to your local "automotive paint supplier", the one that the autobody guys go to, they have everything you'll need, dye, paint, cleaners and Professional Advice. You can match or mix any colour you want and they have the chip colours with the correct mixes. Use a bottle with the aresol attached, and you can see how much dye and paint you're using. I went through 4 aerosol cannisters with a little left over. Used 1 litre (quart for you) and covered all the parts 3 times, one very light, progressing to a full coat on the third pass. Dry time at least one and a half hour between coats as I was going from buckskin to dark blue. I did every part of the interior excluding the seats. You could use the dye on all materials in the car...I did...and no problem with cracking, etc. The dye is designed to 'bend' with the product. Remeber, the most important issue...CLEAN and then some (at least 3-4 times with new cleaner and cloths each time)...do not scrimp on this issue, takes a huge amount of time, but the results are fantastic. My car now looks like it came out of the showroom, complete new interior including custom two tone leathers and foam from Al Knoch in Texas (I'm in Ontario, Canada).
Good luck
Domer
Good luck
Domer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
The vinyl paints sit on top of the material and work great for the dash and doors and birdcage trim. Excellent actually. I did mine from Camel to Black and it still looks new 4 years later. Dont regret it for a minute. I cleaned with dawn dish soap, then a quick swipe with Zylol (Zylene) solvent to really clean it good. Then paint in thin to medium thin coats. 3x
For the seats I used this true penetrating dye called Molecubond. It wont wear like vinyl paint would on a seat. Did 2 coats and it looks pretty good. I would rather have just bought new leather for the seats, but they were new when I got the car, but just the wrong color.
Its a tough call.
Also if you think your carpet is worn, just replace it with new. Forget about painting it.
B......
For the seats I used this true penetrating dye called Molecubond. It wont wear like vinyl paint would on a seat. Did 2 coats and it looks pretty good. I would rather have just bought new leather for the seats, but they were new when I got the car, but just the wrong color.
Its a tough call.
Also if you think your carpet is worn, just replace it with new. Forget about painting it.
B......
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I tried to use the carpet dye/paint on my carpets, and it left them feeling real stiff. Plus you have to put up with the paint smell for some time.
After about 1 year the black dye began to wear off in places. This time I am going to replace the carpet.
From other posts on this the carpet spray doesnt seem to work to well on these types of color changes or updates for interiors.
kdf
After about 1 year the black dye began to wear off in places. This time I am going to replace the carpet.
From other posts on this the carpet spray doesnt seem to work to well on these types of color changes or updates for interiors.
kdf
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Monroe Louisiana
Plain Acrylic Artist Paint
I bought a high end kit to repair my leather seat in my G35 coupe. I had them make me a custom match color for my car.
I took my time and the repair turned out great. I called them back to see about getting a diffrent color matched. In talking with the guy there he found out that I was an artist. He then told me to match it myself that all they used was a good quality of Artist Acrylic Paint. I use Liquatex myself and it has made a very good and durable repair.
Mix it and test it on a small spot. It is very inexpensive so it is definately worth a try. Mine turned out great.
Ruthie
I took my time and the repair turned out great. I called them back to see about getting a diffrent color matched. In talking with the guy there he found out that I was an artist. He then told me to match it myself that all they used was a good quality of Artist Acrylic Paint. I use Liquatex myself and it has made a very good and durable repair.
Mix it and test it on a small spot. It is very inexpensive so it is definately worth a try. Mine turned out great.
Ruthie
