When I was in school, I worked at a auto detailing shop. We spray painted alot of carpets! most of the cars went to auction, however for tempory I say do it.
Short Term solution for carpet
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Warwick Rhode Island
Short Term solution for carpet
I need to stress this up front - this will only be for this cruising season, so don't crucify me. My carpet is going to need to be replaced due to the fact that it is badly faded in certain exposed areas. Now, the carpet is physically okay, and I was wondering if there is a product that someone has used to add the color back to their carpet (with satisfactory results), more specifically something I can dye the carpet with. Again, I want to enjoy the car this season and will replace the front/rear carpet sections over the winter. I just need a temporary, but decent looking short term solution. Hopefully there's something that won't make the carpet fibers hard as a rock. What's everyone's opinion? What's worked for you?
FYI, the rest of my interior is in good shape. It's only the carpet thats lacking visually...
FYI, the rest of my interior is in good shape. It's only the carpet thats lacking visually...
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Lugoff SC
SEM Paint
Noticed this stuff could be used for carpet when I ordered it for my seats. You may give it a try as the price is right:
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...roductID=14623
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...roductID=14623
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 489
Likes: 29
From: Denville NJ
Some years ago I was in a similar situation before I went ahead a purchase a full carpet set. I was looking for a short term fix to get through the summer.
My interior is dark brown with dark brown carpet. Some of the exposed parts were faded. Looked almost green.
I took the carpet out and used RIT fabric dye. I tried not to over rinse it at the end because the dye does not adhere that well to the polyester carpet. But I have to tell you it didnt look that bad when it was done.
I even put some in a spray bottle and sprayed it on the carpet pieces that were on the deluxe door panels also.
I never found out if it would bleed if it eventually got wet. I suspect it might bleed but for a temporary fix it wasnt too bad and did it on the cheap.
My interior is dark brown with dark brown carpet. Some of the exposed parts were faded. Looked almost green.
I took the carpet out and used RIT fabric dye. I tried not to over rinse it at the end because the dye does not adhere that well to the polyester carpet. But I have to tell you it didnt look that bad when it was done.
I even put some in a spray bottle and sprayed it on the carpet pieces that were on the deluxe door panels also.
I never found out if it would bleed if it eventually got wet. I suspect it might bleed but for a temporary fix it wasnt too bad and did it on the cheap.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,623
Likes: 22
From: Boise Idaho
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '15, '17
Yeah I've freshened up carpet with standard spray paint before too. It works pretty good but will smell for a few days.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,213
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: panama city beach Florida
You can just spray paint your carpet after it drys take a rag soaked with armor all and wipe it down, this will make the stiff painted carpet feel soft once again. Its only a short time fix.
David
David
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
I used SEM Color Coat from the Eastwood Company. "Flexible Coating, changes or renews color on most flexible & rigid plastics, carpet, vinyl & velour". My black carpet was in fine shape but the sun had turned some of it a sick orange color. This product made it look new again.
Cheers,
Pete
Cheers,
Pete
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: central Texas
Rit Dye!
RIT Dye! buy it at the grocery store in lots of colors. Old car guy that did restorations told me to use it on my '70 'Stang convert. Carpet was faded bad. Put it in a bowl with water and sponge it on. Start kinda light and go over it the next day if it looks too light. It's cheap, works great and lasts a long time. I drove the car for a long time and never had any problems with it fading back, wearing off (cause it dyes the fabric) or being stiff or hard.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
From: Baton Rouge La
I used, and I forget the brand name, something otc at an auto parts store, and it looked excellent. It was a little crunchy and faded over time, but I think it would last the whole season. Some kind of carpet and vinyl dye.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The carpeting is nylon, which is a plastic. Vinyl dye bonds to it very well. I'd suggest that you clean it well, then rinse it well, and dry it well (out in the sun till fully dried). Put some papers down and shoot it with vinyl dye in whatever color you want. {Piece-of-cake} Two light coats on ALL carpet surfaces will make it look the same all over.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Bedford Va.
I suggested Rit dye on another thread and someone said that Dupli Color makes an excellent dye that worked well for them. Dupli Color is a reputable company that has been around for a long time and you might want to try their product. It should be available through major parts
stores. I imagine they have a web site for reference.
stores. I imagine they have a web site for reference.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Warwick Rhode Island
As always, thank you everyone for your valuable input. I now have a direction (actually a couple) to pursue. I'll take some before and after pictures when I tackle the carpet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I was thinking the same thing when I first bought my car. I would pick a simple project to make the interior look better. My first mistake was thinking "simple". I pulled the seats out first, then started on the carpet. The only problem was my carpet was rotted and came up in hand size clumps. So the "simple" project turned into a rip our interior, strip everything down, paint floorboards, install heat/sound barrier and install new carpet project.
I did use Krylon satin to paint the carpet on the door panels. Still looks pretty good after 3 years.
I did use Krylon satin to paint the carpet on the door panels. Still looks pretty good after 3 years.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
I used SEM Color Coat from the Eastwood Company. "Flexible Coating, changes or renews color on most flexible & rigid plastics, carpet, vinyl & velour". My black carpet was in fine shape but the sun had turned some of it a sick orange color. This product made it look new again.
Cheers,
Pete
Cheers,
Pete
