Thinking about dying door panels
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
Thinking about dying door panels
Thinking about buying a pair of tan door panels I will need to dye them a dark blue. I have seen where others have done this but I didn't pay close attention. Is this a good decision or should I pay the price for aftermarket panels?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the tan panels are factory originals, in good condition, and correct for your year and options, those would be the better choice, IMO. Some of the aftermarket panels don't fit that great.
Recoloring the door panels is pretty easy if you clean the parts well (detergent to get ALL the old oily protectant off of them), rinse them well to remove ALL detergent, dry them completely and then spray them with SEM liquid ColorCoat dye that you buy at a pro auto body paint supply store. They can mix it to the original interior code or match it to a piece you bring in (your other old parts are likely faded some). And you can buy a Pre-Val gas canister/bottle sprayer if you don't have spray equipment for less than $20 (including extra gas canisters). On dyed parts, that sprayer will do just as good as much more expensive equipment because the thin, high-pigment dye is so forgiving when sprayed. Two light, covering coats of SEM and your panels will look just like new, factory panels.
P.S. If you use rattle can dye, all bets are OFF....
Recoloring the door panels is pretty easy if you clean the parts well (detergent to get ALL the old oily protectant off of them), rinse them well to remove ALL detergent, dry them completely and then spray them with SEM liquid ColorCoat dye that you buy at a pro auto body paint supply store. They can mix it to the original interior code or match it to a piece you bring in (your other old parts are likely faded some). And you can buy a Pre-Val gas canister/bottle sprayer if you don't have spray equipment for less than $20 (including extra gas canisters). On dyed parts, that sprayer will do just as good as much more expensive equipment because the thin, high-pigment dye is so forgiving when sprayed. Two light, covering coats of SEM and your panels will look just like new, factory panels.
P.S. If you use rattle can dye, all bets are OFF....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
Hi 7T1vette
Good to hear from you. I've been gone for over 2 years. When I was active on here you were one of my favorite posters. You always gave good help.
The panels are original and right for my car. I've only seen pics but they do look good and of course the seller says they are. I am going to contact the seller and ask for more pics especially the backs.
If I get them I'll be asking for more particulars on prep and spraying.
Thanks
Good to hear from you. I've been gone for over 2 years. When I was active on here you were one of my favorite posters. You always gave good help.
The panels are original and right for my car. I've only seen pics but they do look good and of course the seller says they are. I am going to contact the seller and ask for more pics especially the backs.
If I get them I'll be asking for more particulars on prep and spraying.
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
If the tan panels are factory originals, in good condition, and correct for your year and options, those would be the better choice, IMO. Some of the aftermarket panels don't fit that great.
Recoloring the door panels is pretty easy if you clean the parts well (detergent to get ALL the old oily protectant off of them), rinse them well to remove ALL detergent, dry them completely and then spray them with SEM liquid ColorCoat dye that you buy at a pro auto body paint supply store. They can mix it to the original interior code or match it to a piece you bring in (your other old parts are likely faded some). And you can buy a Pre-Val gas canister/bottle sprayer if you don't have spray equipment for less than $20 (including extra gas canisters). On dyed parts, that sprayer will do just as good as much more expensive equipment because the thin, high-pigment dye is so forgiving when sprayed. Two light, covering coats of SEM and your panels will look just like new, factory panels.
P.S. If you use rattle can dye, all bets are OFF....
Recoloring the door panels is pretty easy if you clean the parts well (detergent to get ALL the old oily protectant off of them), rinse them well to remove ALL detergent, dry them completely and then spray them with SEM liquid ColorCoat dye that you buy at a pro auto body paint supply store. They can mix it to the original interior code or match it to a piece you bring in (your other old parts are likely faded some). And you can buy a Pre-Val gas canister/bottle sprayer if you don't have spray equipment for less than $20 (including extra gas canisters). On dyed parts, that sprayer will do just as good as much more expensive equipment because the thin, high-pigment dye is so forgiving when sprayed. Two light, covering coats of SEM and your panels will look just like new, factory panels.
P.S. If you use rattle can dye, all bets are OFF....
I took 7T1's advise and did just as he recommended and everything turned out great. I tried the spray cans the first time and not all of the cans matched. I ended up having the auto paint store mix a quart of SEM and redyeing everything.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
SEM automotive interior dye. Clean, clean, clean, and clean again. I shot SEM dark blue over the black the PO had left me 20+ years ago. It's still there and still looks good.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
Thanks to all of you guys. Your information is very encouraging. I contacted the seller this morning and if I can get pictures of the backside of the panels and if they look as good as the front side I am going to buy.
If I do purchase these panels I would need you guys to walk me through this process step-by-step. For one thing I will be wanting to know what particular cleaners I should use. I do have a large upright stationary air compressor and old siphon paint spray gun but I've never used it. I would love to learn how to paint maybe I can start with the door panels.
If I do purchase these panels I would need you guys to walk me through this process step-by-step. For one thing I will be wanting to know what particular cleaners I should use. I do have a large upright stationary air compressor and old siphon paint spray gun but I've never used it. I would love to learn how to paint maybe I can start with the door panels.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I would still advise you to purchase the inexpensive Pre-Val bottle/gas sprayer and 2 or 3 extra gas canisters. So simple to use and the results are fantastic. You will need some lacquer thinner and a glass jar to purge the dye out of the sprayer each time you finish your paint session.
(The dye will stay inside the dye bottle, if you want to leave it there for a while. But, if there is much air in the bottle it will start to cure after a few hours. I tend to put in a bit more than I think I'll need, then pour the remainder back in the dye can when done. Then, put thinner in the bottle and spray the residual dye out on cardboard/newspapers.)
(The dye will stay inside the dye bottle, if you want to leave it there for a while. But, if there is much air in the bottle it will start to cure after a few hours. I tend to put in a bit more than I think I'll need, then pour the remainder back in the dye can when done. Then, put thinner in the bottle and spray the residual dye out on cardboard/newspapers.)
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
No soap
As I posted I asked for more pics.I also asked for maybe some help$$ on shipping. Got responce seller could do. Waited to get pics but never heard anymore from him. Found where seller had put panels back up for sale and they sold. I think someone got a great deal.
Thanks for all your help. Maybe next time.
Thanks for all your help. Maybe next time.