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Hi I have the original black carpet, and actually is a little bit fade out. Before replacing it for a new one I would rather try to restore it and keep the original. Whick product would you recomend to paint/ dye the carpet?
Sebastian
Vinyl dye will work nicely. Get a SEM [brand] dye at an auto painter supply store. Use your own spray equipment or get a gas cannister/bottle sprayer [like Preval] at the paint supply store. You really need to get the carpet very clean to allow it to bond well....especially rid it of oil, grease. Vinyl dye is thin, watery, and doesn't require the can pressure needed for paint...so overspray can be minimized. However, it would be best to remove the carpet so you can clean it, dry it, and spray it.
Believe it or not, I used RIT dye (the liquid, not the powder) to dye my carpet while it was still in my car. The rug itself was in good shape - just severely faded by the sun. I was staying the same color - red, and didn't try to change colors. I mixed it in a small bucket and applied it with a sponge. I gave it three applications, and was very surprised and quite satisfied. I made it more concentrated by reducing the amount of water the directions said to mix it with and it didn't dry hard like some dyes can. IF you wanted to try this, your best bet would be to try a small inconspicuous area first. It won't hurt your wallet (~$3 bottle and it goes a long way). If you don't get the results you're looking for, you try something else... One word of advice - DO NOT get the stuff on the seatbelts - trust me, but don't ask me how I know
Another bonus is you can get this stuff at practically any supermarket or fabric store - no need to find a paint store or order it online...
You'll have to be very careful removing the carpet depending on how old it is. I just replaced my carpet and while I didn't use much finesse, it pretty much came out in pieces. Dyeing in place might be the better option.
SEM is a brand of paint and supplies. I used a smiliar brand called DupliColor. You apply it like paint out of a rattle can, but it doesn't make your carpet crunchy like paint would. I wouldn't attempt to pull the old carpet out. I couldn't even get the pieces of carpet off the backs of my seat without tearing them. So I decided to tape of EVERYTHING. Took me about 12 hours to complete project but came out great. That is not paint on center console. Just carpet.
Last edited by BigEarl; Jun 6, 2008 at 10:11 PM.
Reason: forgot to add
I'm thinking about converting my doe-skin interior to black.. Could I use the RIT dye to do this? Also, what would I need to paint the other interior parts like the seats/etc?
Sure. You can use RIT dye [like someone else did]. Of course, the bottle says it is not recommended for synthetic materials, but what the heck....it's cheap and available....
Sure. You can use RIT dye [like someone else did]. Of course, the bottle says it is not recommended for synthetic materials, but what the heck....it's cheap and available....
Well let's see... I could spend $350 and buy a new black carpet set and be done with it. Or I could spend $10 on black RIT dye and try it. If it works I saved $340. If it doesn't, I have cost myself $10 more. Which seems like the smarter option to you?
I used dupli colors vinyl and fabric sprey I found at Orileys, it worked amazing! the carpet was a little stiff for a week or so, but no you cant even tell it was ever faded, it cost me about 3-4 dollars
I think I won´t be able to take the carpet out as in some places with a simple movement it tears all apart. The original glue is al rotten. I think I´ll give a try as neuroclast said an see what happens with the paint issue. The worst areas are under the seat and in the cargo bay under the belts housings.