Removing / Repainting Interior Color?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Removing / Repainting Interior Color?
I have an early 70's C3 that was converted to black interior from the original blue. In other words, all the vinyl interior pieces have been painted black (doors, dash, etc.).
I'd like to bring the interior back to it's origninal color of blue. I have purchased the blue interior paint from Eckler's but need to know how to clean and prepare the pieces BEFORE re-painting.
Does anyone have any advice on this process. I assume I want to strip off all the black interior paint before repainting to blue. If so, what is recommended for stripping off this black interior paint? Do I need to prime the pieces?
Any help is appreciated...
I'd like to bring the interior back to it's origninal color of blue. I have purchased the blue interior paint from Eckler's but need to know how to clean and prepare the pieces BEFORE re-painting.
Does anyone have any advice on this process. I assume I want to strip off all the black interior paint before repainting to blue. If so, what is recommended for stripping off this black interior paint? Do I need to prime the pieces?
Any help is appreciated...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 41
From: Toronto
I had the exact situation as you and redid my interior this winter.
I used the dye from Corvette America, but the Ecklers is probably the same.
In the following pic, everything was dyed except the carpet, seat covers and console.
My interior had been dyed black with what seemed to be a dye, not a paint.
Of course you need to remove the entire interior...much easier to do it apart rather than in the car.
What I used to prep all the parts was Lacquer thinner. I tried different things and it seemed to work best. It was not necessary to remove all of the black dye, but if it came off easily I did remove it, and got down to the original blue color.
I found that by applying a lot of thin coats of the blue dye it adhered well to the vinyl without the need for primer. It takes patience to cover up all the black....lots of thin coats instead of a few thicker ones.
Take your time and it should work out fine
I used the dye from Corvette America, but the Ecklers is probably the same.
In the following pic, everything was dyed except the carpet, seat covers and console.
My interior had been dyed black with what seemed to be a dye, not a paint.
Of course you need to remove the entire interior...much easier to do it apart rather than in the car.
What I used to prep all the parts was Lacquer thinner. I tried different things and it seemed to work best. It was not necessary to remove all of the black dye, but if it came off easily I did remove it, and got down to the original blue color.
I found that by applying a lot of thin coats of the blue dye it adhered well to the vinyl without the need for primer. It takes patience to cover up all the black....lots of thin coats instead of a few thicker ones.
Take your time and it should work out fine
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
I had to remove years of air pollution and smoking to get my new color to stick to the interior parts. If the black color is adhering well to your parts I would think about leaving it on. Just clean and respray with your new color.
Maybe others will jump in here with their experiences removing old color.
Here's two pics of mine. The interior was originally brown.
Maybe others will jump in here with their experiences removing old color.
Here's two pics of mine. The interior was originally brown.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Thanks for your help; both of your interiors look beautiful. Does the upper dash pad (near windshield defroster) come out with the windshield in?
I was at a NCRS event this weekend and a gentlemen there told me that I need to take out my windshield to remove the upper dash pad. I'm hoping this is not the case...
Also, what about the seatcovers... did you do them yourself or hire someone? If you hired someone, who did them? I hear the seatcovers are a tough job to tackle.
I was at a NCRS event this weekend and a gentlemen there told me that I need to take out my windshield to remove the upper dash pad. I'm hoping this is not the case...
Also, what about the seatcovers... did you do them yourself or hire someone? If you hired someone, who did them? I hear the seatcovers are a tough job to tackle.
Last edited by brp6766; Mar 17, 2008 at 10:39 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 197
Likes: 9
From: Jamestown Rhode Island
i dont think you need to take the windshield out to do it, at least on my 78 im pretty sure i dont need to take my windshield out to take out the dash.
and what is this interior color, its the blue i want to do my car in
and what is this interior color, its the blue i want to do my car in
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
I could be wrong but I dont believe you would have to remove the windshield to remove the dash. What year is your car? I know on 78 and up its a one piece dash and it will come out with the windshield in. On the upper dash in the area of the defroster vents, its painted black from the factory. On the earlier C3's the dash comes out in separate pieces.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,237
Likes: 4,330
From: Westminster Maryland
BRP,
The windshield really doesn't need to come out. You do need to be very careful though, or you can crack the dash pad. It needs to be 'humped' up a little in the middle so you can slip one side out at a time. If you can get some sun on it that would be good because the heat will make it a little more flexible. Remember that the side windshield pillar trim panels need to come off first.
Regards,
Alan
The windshield really doesn't need to come out. You do need to be very careful though, or you can crack the dash pad. It needs to be 'humped' up a little in the middle so you can slip one side out at a time. If you can get some sun on it that would be good because the heat will make it a little more flexible. Remember that the side windshield pillar trim panels need to come off first.
Regards,
Alan
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
The interior of that car is Bright Blue and is a really nice color with a Mulsanne Blue car [or something in that range]. Please DO NOT put paint on your interior parts. These get dyed with vinyl dye. If you have spray equipment, just buy a pint of the correct color dye at a local auto paint and equipment supply store (where the pro auto painter buy their stuff). They can mix it to a GM color code or to match a piece that you bring in. It is easy to apply, it covers well over any color and bonds to the vinyl (or prior dye). If someone used paint to re-color your interior black, you have a mess on your hands (I hope they used dye). Clean all interior parts with a good detergent and warm water. Flush well with clean water to get all the detergent residue off before you dye. If you are re-coloring the seats, just remove them before dyeing, then re-install.