Deluxe interior
Pro
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 518
Likes: 365
From: San Diego
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I can tell you from experience that when you start messing with saddle interior using new and old pieces nothing is going to match, even OEM factory saddle stuff didn't match when new. New door panels will never match older dyed panels, than you have the issue of the saddle dye being a shade or two off from can to can. If I was doing this job and wanted a uniform look I would look for a set of used door panels and dye those along with the rest of the interior parts.
Also I would not use spray cans, I would use the quart can of dye and a spray gun and spray everything at the same time. One of my winter projects back in the 90's was a refresh of the saddle interior in my 74, I removed every interior part that was saddle in color and sprayed them using Corvette America spray cans and installed new carpet and seat covers. I thought it turned out looking good given this was my first doing this. Later in life dealing with a couple of saddle C2 interiors I got wise on the "not every can of saddle is the same" thing. Talked to Corvette America on this very subject and they admitted the saddle was a tough color to mix and using the quart can with spray gun was the best approach to maintain a consistent color through out the car.
Very doable project with the right planning. If you don't have a spray gun and compressor you can rent a compressor for the day and buy a cheap spray gun at HF. Do a couple light coats, let them tack up than a final coat. Once dry rub the panels out with an old cotton tee shirt. Interior will pop and look awesome.
Also I would not use spray cans, I would use the quart can of dye and a spray gun and spray everything at the same time. One of my winter projects back in the 90's was a refresh of the saddle interior in my 74, I removed every interior part that was saddle in color and sprayed them using Corvette America spray cans and installed new carpet and seat covers. I thought it turned out looking good given this was my first doing this. Later in life dealing with a couple of saddle C2 interiors I got wise on the "not every can of saddle is the same" thing. Talked to Corvette America on this very subject and they admitted the saddle was a tough color to mix and using the quart can with spray gun was the best approach to maintain a consistent color through out the car.
Very doable project with the right planning. If you don't have a spray gun and compressor you can rent a compressor for the day and buy a cheap spray gun at HF. Do a couple light coats, let them tack up than a final coat. Once dry rub the panels out with an old cotton tee shirt. Interior will pop and look awesome.
Last edited by Vibguy; Dec 2, 2021 at 10:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 751
Likes: 32
From: Woburn,ma ma
Thanks for this info. I have been thinking I was going crazy trying to match everything. I bought every color part and dye from one vendor (Corvette America) thinking it would help but I just found your described issue where different spay cans are slightly different colors. I can't do much about it now. The worst is the map pocket is slightly different than the dash panel and I think it would be impossible to spray the map pocket and even if I did, who knows what color would come out.
