Faded dash pad
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I'd dye it. With proper prep it will look very nice and last. I've done my 79's dash years ago and it still looks great. I used SEM dye in spay cans as well as their vinyl prep and adhesion promoter prior to the dye.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
There is significant risk in removing the original dash pad from your car...unless you want to remove the windshield glass, too. With it in place, you will need to mask the entire interior. If you have a coupe, you could remove the T-tops to get better access for direct downward spraying.
You just need to completely remove any & all protectants from the dash pad. Don't use any solvents, as they can damage the vinyl. Use detergent, Simple Green, etc.; then rinse it well to remove ALL detergent. When dry, you can spray semi-flat or satin black (same sheen; different terms used by different vendors) on the pad. Give it two good covering coats--but don't allow it to be runny. If you do get runs, leave them alone and let them dry. They may be fine, as SEM dye is thinner with dense pigment and doesn't leave much thickness per coat.
When done, let the dye dry well (a few hours), then give it a coat or two of clear polymer protectant like Nu-Vinyl or Meguiar's protectant for plastics. That will block UV from getting to the pad and keep it from fading like it is now. NEVER use an oil-based "protectant"
on any plastic or rubber parts. The polymer protectants are GREAT for interiors, rubber, leather (unless you prefer leather balms, which is really better for leather). It even makes CLEAN tire sidewalls look great; and it keeps dirt from getting into the pores of the rubber and leaving them looking brown.
You just need to completely remove any & all protectants from the dash pad. Don't use any solvents, as they can damage the vinyl. Use detergent, Simple Green, etc.; then rinse it well to remove ALL detergent. When dry, you can spray semi-flat or satin black (same sheen; different terms used by different vendors) on the pad. Give it two good covering coats--but don't allow it to be runny. If you do get runs, leave them alone and let them dry. They may be fine, as SEM dye is thinner with dense pigment and doesn't leave much thickness per coat.
When done, let the dye dry well (a few hours), then give it a coat or two of clear polymer protectant like Nu-Vinyl or Meguiar's protectant for plastics. That will block UV from getting to the pad and keep it from fading like it is now. NEVER use an oil-based "protectant"
on any plastic or rubber parts. The polymer protectants are GREAT for interiors, rubber, leather (unless you prefer leather balms, which is really better for leather). It even makes CLEAN tire sidewalls look great; and it keeps dirt from getting into the pores of the rubber and leaving them looking brown.