Seat dye questions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 862
Likes: 9
From: Communist party of MD
Seat dye questions
As some of you may know, I've been working on a project '69 that I picked up halfway completed. Anyways, the car came with brand new blue leather seat covers ansd seat foam from Corvette America/Mid America/etc.
I'd like to dye the seats medium saddle color from the bright blue. My questions are:
-how many cans of aresol dye would I need for 2 seats and 2 headrests?
-do I need to prep them besides cleaning? (primer, etc)
-should I sell the seatcovers at a loss and pick up saddle colored leather covers?
-is it hard installing new seat covers or should I drop them off to an upholsterer for $400 for him to redo my seats?
Thanks.
I'd like to dye the seats medium saddle color from the bright blue. My questions are:
-how many cans of aresol dye would I need for 2 seats and 2 headrests?
-do I need to prep them besides cleaning? (primer, etc)
-should I sell the seatcovers at a loss and pick up saddle colored leather covers?
-is it hard installing new seat covers or should I drop them off to an upholsterer for $400 for him to redo my seats?
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...do I need to prep them besides cleaning?...
...should I sell the seatcovers at a loss and pick up saddle colored leather covers?...
...is it hard installing new seat covers or should I drop them off to an upholsterer for $400 for him to redo my seats?...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
The instruction on the spray cans from C.A. say to use a primer or white base dye before spraying any color other than the original color the exception being black. It will take you a arm full of spray cans to do the complete interior color change. At $15- $18 per can that adds up quick. I used three cans to dye some replacement parts and all parts where the same color. Guess what I got three different colors and textures.
Mike is right If you are doing the whole interior buy the quart, Its less money and all the parts will match. I have heard nothing but good things about SEM. Thats the route I am going
Mike is right If you are doing the whole interior buy the quart, Its less money and all the parts will match. I have heard nothing but good things about SEM. Thats the route I am going
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: N.Y
sem is best but i did mine and think youll have a hard time getting a true and proper cover of saddle onto blue. jmo but the under color will give a tint. allow to dry for days! i did 3 days and seats still stuck to the buckets and left white marks. seat covers are not hard if you have the patience. i have done two sets and they look awesome but do take time and will get frustrating. buy the plier and ring kit its 100 percent easier that way, why pay 400 dollars for someone to use 15.00 pliers and 20.00 worth of hog rings???????????? stupid i think but good luck either way
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 862
Likes: 9
From: Communist party of MD
Thanks for everyones input. I guess I forgot to mention that I will only be dying the front seats in dark saddle and the remainder of the interior will be black (going with a unique contrasting color scheme. Most of the interior pieces that came with the car are trash and the misc ones that are still usable will be dyed black.
I chcked out SEM's website and I didn't see any colors that appealed to me for the leather dye. So I think I will stick with Corvette America dye for the seats. If I go with the quart, how do I apply it?
I chcked out SEM's website and I didn't see any colors that appealed to me for the leather dye. So I think I will stick with Corvette America dye for the seats. If I go with the quart, how do I apply it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: San Jose CA
Corvette America spray dye works well. SEM is fine for black but does not have most of the unique Corvette colors. Most people use the Preval system for spraying dye.
Personally, I'd just go with the spray dye in the can. I've had nothing but success. Probably 4 cans for two seats. Why? I really like the spray nozzle. Just enough dye in a fan shape so it does not drip. It dries to the touch in five minutes if you use the recommended light coat. No mixing (may have to thin dye that comes in quart), fewer mistakes, and no clean-up. The difference in money is small compared to the ease and the final result.
Personally, I'd just go with the spray dye in the can. I've had nothing but success. Probably 4 cans for two seats. Why? I really like the spray nozzle. Just enough dye in a fan shape so it does not drip. It dries to the touch in five minutes if you use the recommended light coat. No mixing (may have to thin dye that comes in quart), fewer mistakes, and no clean-up. The difference in money is small compared to the ease and the final result.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
68-69 corvete saddle = SEM 4845
73-75 Corvette medium saddle = SEM 4850
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 4
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Take a sample in to your SEM supplier and get them to match it to your satisfaction. Worked for me!
And quarts of SEM do not need thinning. It's supplied ready to go. Thinning will dull it off.
And quarts of SEM do not need thinning. It's supplied ready to go. Thinning will dull it off.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Do what you want, but if you go with 'off the shelf' generic dye in spray cans, you may be disappointed. Liquid SEM ColorCoat can be mixed to any interior color code or matched to any piece you take to the store. Buy it at a local pro auto body paint supply store. Hope it comes out well.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
I shot it with my Craftsman touch up gun. Shoots like lacquer.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Or you can buy a Pre-Val bottle/gas sprayer for $10, plus a couple more gas cannisters, and shoot it with that. The thin dye works great with it. You don't need fancy equipment and you can still do a professional job.
