Changing vinyl interior colors
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Pearland Texas
Changing vinyl interior colors
Changing interior vinyl trim color.
I understand the drill and products and how to use them, but I have another question.
Is it feasible to change from the ('73) dark blue to a lighter color like parchment or tan with the dyes available.
I'll have to get some new door panels and seat covers anyway, but I don't want to have to buy new dash pieces if I don't have to.
I had one Corvette store here in Houston tell me it was a no-brainer, but I wanted to ask the group before I dive in to make a change like this.
Thanks in advance.
Skip in Houston
I understand the drill and products and how to use them, but I have another question.
Is it feasible to change from the ('73) dark blue to a lighter color like parchment or tan with the dyes available.
I'll have to get some new door panels and seat covers anyway, but I don't want to have to buy new dash pieces if I don't have to.
I had one Corvette store here in Houston tell me it was a no-brainer, but I wanted to ask the group before I dive in to make a change like this.
Thanks in advance.
Skip in Houston
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: McHenry Illinois
Pro
Joined: May 2006
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From: Long Island NY/ Cape Coral FL
Preperation is the key factor for dyeing interior components. They have to be absolutely free of all dirt and oils. Sems makes a great Vinyl Prep . I've used it many times with great success. Items such as the console arm rest used from 77-82 came from GM in black only and had to be dyed interior color. High wear areas will in time wear out , such as seats and door arm rests.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Arkansas
We have a local paint supply store that sells sem color coat. It's the same stuff you would be buying from Corvette America if you get it in the can, they just re-label it.
I can walk in that store and buy any color all day long
Here is a chart for comparison of the colors.
I can walk in that store and buy any color all day long
Here is a chart for comparison of the colors.
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Team Owner
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From: Crossville TN
Is SEM "Color Coat" dye or paint? I agree that it is the same stuff sold in aftermarket places, but descriptions of the results on this Forum lead me to believe that it is a paint product. Where does the color chart say that it is vinyl dye?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Arkansas
This is a subject I don't agree with a lot of people. Personally I feel there is no such thing as a vinyl "dye". All of it is basically a paint with a flex agent built in. The layers can wear down over time and need a re-coat.
That stuff does fuse better with vinyl and plastic than a can of Krylon because it's designed to fuse with those materials.
Sem color coat, in my opinion is the best stuff you can get on the market. They just don't call it dye, because that's not what it does.
The stuff at the auto parts store that's called vinyl dye does the exact same thing as sem's color coat.
If anyone can show me a can of vinyl dye that can physically change the color of a piece of plastic or vinyl and not just cover it.....I'll change my opinion.
That stuff does fuse better with vinyl and plastic than a can of Krylon because it's designed to fuse with those materials.
Sem color coat, in my opinion is the best stuff you can get on the market. They just don't call it dye, because that's not what it does.
The stuff at the auto parts store that's called vinyl dye does the exact same thing as sem's color coat.
If anyone can show me a can of vinyl dye that can physically change the color of a piece of plastic or vinyl and not just cover it.....I'll change my opinion.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
I don't really care to change your opinion....we all have the right to one, anyway. All I will say is that 'stuff' specifically sold and labeled as "vinyl dye" is physically very different than paint, it covers differently than paint, it is more difficult to chip or peel off of plastic parts than paint, it doesn't fill grain like paint, it dries considerably faster than paint and doesn't really have a 'cure' period; and you can dye...and re-dye...and re-dye all you want and never lose the original surface appearance or have to worry about covering dark with light, etc. Now, if you choose to call them both PAINT, have at it. Just don't confuse everyone else with your need to label it something it isn't.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Arkansas
I don't really care to change your opinion....we all have the right to one, anyway. All I will say is that 'stuff' specifically sold and labeled as "vinyl dye" is physically very different than paint, it covers differently than paint, it is more difficult to chip or peel off of plastic parts than paint, it doesn't fill grain like paint, it dries considerably faster than paint and doesn't really have a 'cure' period; and you can dye...and re-dye...and re-dye all you want and never lose the original surface appearance or have to worry about covering dark with light, etc. Now, if you choose to call them both PAINT, have at it. Just don't confuse everyone else with your need to label it something it isn't.
That includes ANYTHING labeled "dye"..it's a misconception.
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
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...that 'stuff' specifically sold and labeled as "vinyl dye" is physically very different than paint, it covers differently than paint, it is more difficult to chip or peel off of plastic parts than paint, it doesn't fill grain like paint, it dries considerably faster than paint and doesn't really have a 'cure' period; and you can dye...and re-dye...and re-dye all you want and never lose the original surface appearance or have to worry about covering dark with light, etc. ...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
Here is how Wikipedia defines the difference:
Vinyl dye is a product often marketed for use in recoloring vinyl upholstery in vehicles. It is also useful in recoloring soft plastics. Unlike conventional paint, vinyl dye seeps into the surface it is applied to, resulting in a color that will not peel or chip.
Those who perform 'casemods' on their computers favor vinyl dye for the professional appearance it lends to dyed plastic pieces. Raised print, such as brand names and volume increment markings on drive faceplates, are not masked by vinyl dye as they would be by conventional paints.
Only bare plastic and vinyl surfaces may be dyed. Painted surfaces prevent the dye from reaching the plastic, paint having filled in the microscopic holes the dye would normally occupy.
Dyed surfaces may even be re-dyed another color.
So, for those who wish to PAINT their interior parts....BEWARE!!!
Vinyl dye is a product often marketed for use in recoloring vinyl upholstery in vehicles. It is also useful in recoloring soft plastics. Unlike conventional paint, vinyl dye seeps into the surface it is applied to, resulting in a color that will not peel or chip.
Those who perform 'casemods' on their computers favor vinyl dye for the professional appearance it lends to dyed plastic pieces. Raised print, such as brand names and volume increment markings on drive faceplates, are not masked by vinyl dye as they would be by conventional paints.
Only bare plastic and vinyl surfaces may be dyed. Painted surfaces prevent the dye from reaching the plastic, paint having filled in the microscopic holes the dye would normally occupy.
Dyed surfaces may even be re-dyed another color.
So, for those who wish to PAINT their interior parts....BEWARE!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
Lastly, here is a website that describes both paints and dyes. If there weren't any difference between paint and dye, I doubt that this site would mention both for all kinds of applications. Note particularly it mentions both vinly dye and vinyl paint.
www.dyeandpaint.com
www.dyeandpaint.com
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 82
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From: Portsmouth Virginia
I used Mid-America's "dye" and it worked well but I was not changing the color. You will need at least 3 cans for the job maybe alot more if you are changing colors!
I just washed the parts and primed them with a light gray also sold by Mid-America. Turned out very nice.
My interior is light smoke "gray" I wish it was a dark color to hide some of the wear etc. You might want to look a someone's unrestored light interior before switching colors. The darker colors just hold up better over time.
I just washed the parts and primed them with a light gray also sold by Mid-America. Turned out very nice.
My interior is light smoke "gray" I wish it was a dark color to hide some of the wear etc. You might want to look a someone's unrestored light interior before switching colors. The darker colors just hold up better over time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Arkansas
Link
SEM COLOR COAT is formulated to match, restore or change color on most vinyl surfaces, flexible and rigid plastics, carpet and velour. COLOR COAT is fade resistant, flexible and is a permanent coating. COLOR COAT is not a dye
Currently available in over 50 colors including 3 blacks, 3 clears and a selection of OEM automotive, bus and marine colors.
* What Is It?....Color Coat is a solvent base, elastomeric product formulated for coating all of the substrates listed above.
* How Is It Applied?....Color Coat is designed for spray only, and is available in aerosol cans only.
* How About Carpets?....Color Coat is formulated to enhance and restore faded carpet color, not to do a drastic color change.
* What About Plastics?....Color Coat is formulated to refinish flexible plastics, such as dashes, consoles, kick pads, etc., most semi-rigid and rigid plastics.
SEM COLOR COAT is formulated to match, restore or change color on most vinyl surfaces, flexible and rigid plastics, carpet and velour. COLOR COAT is fade resistant, flexible and is a permanent coating. COLOR COAT is not a dye
Currently available in over 50 colors including 3 blacks, 3 clears and a selection of OEM automotive, bus and marine colors.
* What Is It?....Color Coat is a solvent base, elastomeric product formulated for coating all of the substrates listed above.
* How Is It Applied?....Color Coat is designed for spray only, and is available in aerosol cans only.
* How About Carpets?....Color Coat is formulated to enhance and restore faded carpet color, not to do a drastic color change.
* What About Plastics?....Color Coat is formulated to refinish flexible plastics, such as dashes, consoles, kick pads, etc., most semi-rigid and rigid plastics.