1971 coupe T top pad liners
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 475
Likes: 3
From: Windham NH
1971 coupe T top pad liners
The t top pad liners in my car have some chips out of them. They really need to be changed. I have been able to find a nice set of original ones but they would need to be dyed to match my interior. I'm trying to decide to go that route or to buy a new set from Al Knoch. The originals are about half the price of the new ones. I'm not worried about the cost but just what would be the best fit and look.
Any feed back would be great..
Any feed back would be great..
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Go with the original pads, if they are in decent condition. You can make some minor patch repairs with polyester body filler, if necessary, before you re-dye them.
The best way to recolor those panels is with SEM [liquid] ColorCoat vinyl dye. Purchase it at a local area auto body paint supply store (not an auto parts store). They can mix it to your interior color code or to match a part that you bring in to them (one of the pads you are replacing?). Clean the parts well with detergent (oil, grease, protectant
), rinse all detergent off completely and let dry.
If you don't have spray equipment, also buy a $10 Pre-Val bottle sprayer at the store where you are buying the SEM dye. It works GREAT with the vinyl dye. Two light, covering coats of dye is all it takes and they will look like new.
Original panels will fit properly. You might have to re-dye new panels anyway, if the color isn't a really good match with your interior.
This is really easy to do and you will be surprised at how the interior looks when done. You may even want to re-dye all of your interior pieces!!!
The best way to recolor those panels is with SEM [liquid] ColorCoat vinyl dye. Purchase it at a local area auto body paint supply store (not an auto parts store). They can mix it to your interior color code or to match a part that you bring in to them (one of the pads you are replacing?). Clean the parts well with detergent (oil, grease, protectant
), rinse all detergent off completely and let dry.If you don't have spray equipment, also buy a $10 Pre-Val bottle sprayer at the store where you are buying the SEM dye. It works GREAT with the vinyl dye. Two light, covering coats of dye is all it takes and they will look like new.
Original panels will fit properly. You might have to re-dye new panels anyway, if the color isn't a really good match with your interior.
This is really easy to do and you will be surprised at how the interior looks when done. You may even want to re-dye all of your interior pieces!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 475
Likes: 3
From: Windham NH
Go with the original pads, if they are in decent condition. You can make some minor patch repairs with polyester body filler, if necessary, before you re-dye them.
The best way to recolor those panels is with SEM [liquid] ColorCoat vinyl dye. Purchase it at a local area auto body paint supply store (not an auto parts store). They can mix it to your interior color code or to match a part that you bring in to them (one of the pads you are replacing?). Clean the parts well with detergent (oil, grease, protectant), rinse all detergent off completely and let dry.
If you don't have spray equipment, also buy a $10 Pre-Val bottle sprayer at the store where you are buying the SEM dye. It works GREAT with the vinyl dye. Two light, covering coats of dye is all it takes and they will look like new.
Original panels will fit properly. You might have to re-dye new panels anyway, if the color isn't a really good match with your interior.
This is really easy to do and you will be surprised at how the interior looks when done. You may even want to re-dye all of your interior pieces!!!
The best way to recolor those panels is with SEM [liquid] ColorCoat vinyl dye. Purchase it at a local area auto body paint supply store (not an auto parts store). They can mix it to your interior color code or to match a part that you bring in to them (one of the pads you are replacing?). Clean the parts well with detergent (oil, grease, protectant
), rinse all detergent off completely and let dry.If you don't have spray equipment, also buy a $10 Pre-Val bottle sprayer at the store where you are buying the SEM dye. It works GREAT with the vinyl dye. Two light, covering coats of dye is all it takes and they will look like new.
Original panels will fit properly. You might have to re-dye new panels anyway, if the color isn't a really good match with your interior.
This is really easy to do and you will be surprised at how the interior looks when done. You may even want to re-dye all of your interior pieces!!!
My interior is the dark blue..
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Try www.semproducts.com If you cannot purchase directly from SEM, they should be able to provide a SEM retailer in your area.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 475
Likes: 3
From: Windham NH
Well, I took your advice and purchased the original ones. They are in great shape so I won't need to repair anything.
I did contact SEM products and they got me in touch with the local rep. that's working on finding me someone local that can mix it up for me.
I did ask SEM but they don't sell it directly..
I did contact SEM products and they got me in touch with the local rep. that's working on finding me someone local that can mix it up for me.
I did ask SEM but they don't sell it directly..
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,303
Likes: 4,391
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 63,
This sounds like a nice find. Generally the original interior soft parts are far superior to the reproduction parts available.
7T1 has good advice on how to proceed in using the dye from his personal experience!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
This sounds like a nice find. Generally the original interior soft parts are far superior to the reproduction parts available.
7T1 has good advice on how to proceed in using the dye from his personal experience!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 475
Likes: 3
From: Windham NH
Yeah, I'm glad I found a nice set of originals. I'm just having no luck finding the SEM Color coat dye. I did find someone that will make up a pint in a different manufacture with my color code but no one that can mix the SEM..
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You want to go to a professional auto body PAINT supplier...not a body shop parts/tools supplier. Go to a local body shop and ask them where they buy their paint. That's where you need to go.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 475
Likes: 3
From: Windham NH
That's actually where I have been checking. They do fix all different types of paints but it doesn't seem that many in my area use SEM. Even after talking with the local SEM rep., he hasn't been able to give me a location that can mix it. I'm going to keep looking and hope I can find it..
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
That's just wierd. Go on the internet and find some other paint suppliers in your vicinity (w/in 50 miles or so). Call around (or use E-mail, if their site allows it) to find a source for SEM ColorCoat and ask if they can mix some to your interior color code and ship it to you or arrange a pick-up at a convenient location.
For my last purchase, I had to contact a store that was about 30 miles away. The guy who mixed it was going to be at a car show I was in a few days later and he just dropped it on me at the car show.
IMO, it is important enough to find the "real deal" on this one. The Forum regularly has folks that have used the "spray vinyl dye" stuff from the aftermarket vendors; they either have problems or show photos of their parts looking like they have been sprayed with $3-a-can cheapo spray paint. For something that you will be living with for several years (or more), get the right stuff to do the job well...even if it takes some trouble to get it.
For my last purchase, I had to contact a store that was about 30 miles away. The guy who mixed it was going to be at a car show I was in a few days later and he just dropped it on me at the car show.
IMO, it is important enough to find the "real deal" on this one. The Forum regularly has folks that have used the "spray vinyl dye" stuff from the aftermarket vendors; they either have problems or show photos of their parts looking like they have been sprayed with $3-a-can cheapo spray paint.
For something that you will be living with for several years (or more), get the right stuff to do the job well...even if it takes some trouble to get it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 475
Likes: 3
From: Windham NH
That's just wierd. Go on the internet and find some other paint suppliers in your vicinity (w/in 50 miles or so). Call around (or use E-mail, if their site allows it) to find a source for SEM ColorCoat and ask if they can mix some to your interior color code and ship it to you or arrange a pick-up at a convenient location.
For my last purchase, I had to contact a store that was about 30 miles away. The guy who mixed it was going to be at a car show I was in a few days later and he just dropped it on me at the car show.
IMO, it is important enough to find the "real deal" on this one. The Forum regularly has folks that have used the "spray vinyl dye" stuff from the aftermarket vendors; they either have problems or show photos of their parts looking like they have been sprayed with $3-a-can cheapo spray paint. For something that you will be living with for several years (or more), get the right stuff to do the job well...even if it takes some trouble to get it.
For my last purchase, I had to contact a store that was about 30 miles away. The guy who mixed it was going to be at a car show I was in a few days later and he just dropped it on me at the car show.
IMO, it is important enough to find the "real deal" on this one. The Forum regularly has folks that have used the "spray vinyl dye" stuff from the aftermarket vendors; they either have problems or show photos of their parts looking like they have been sprayed with $3-a-can cheapo spray paint.
For something that you will be living with for several years (or more), get the right stuff to do the job well...even if it takes some trouble to get it.I'm still working with the local SEM rep to see what other stores he provides supplies for. The store he original sent me to can't make up that color code for me in SEM but can in Diamont. I decided to pass and keep looking. The SEM rep said most people are switching to Sure Coat instead of the Color Coat. Do you know if the Sure Coat will work as well?
I don't mind taking a trip to get the right stuff. I just want to make sure I can find it. I'll keep calling. I'm in not big hurry as I still have another 4-6 weeks before thinking about taking the car out..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
I agree about trying the aftermarket vendors spray cans. I gave it a try and it just doesn't look right. The quality just doesn't look right.
I'm still working with the local SEM rep to see what other stores he provides supplies for. The store he original sent me to can't make up that color code for me in SEM but can in Diamont. I decided to pass and keep looking. The SEM rep said most people are switching to Sure Coat instead of the Color Coat. Do you know if the Sure Coat will work as well?
I don't mind taking a trip to get the right stuff. I just want to make sure I can find it. I'll keep calling. I'm in not big hurry as I still have another 4-6 weeks before thinking about taking the car out..
I'm still working with the local SEM rep to see what other stores he provides supplies for. The store he original sent me to can't make up that color code for me in SEM but can in Diamont. I decided to pass and keep looking. The SEM rep said most people are switching to Sure Coat instead of the Color Coat. Do you know if the Sure Coat will work as well?
I don't mind taking a trip to get the right stuff. I just want to make sure I can find it. I'll keep calling. I'm in not big hurry as I still have another 4-6 weeks before thinking about taking the car out..
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 475
Likes: 3
From: Windham NH
I have finally been able to find someone that can mix up SEM in the correct color. When I was talking with the people at SEM they recommended Sure Coat instead of Color Coat for the interior panels. They said it's just a newer technology that covers much better. I can have either one mixed up. Any one with feedback on the Sure Coat?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I have not used SureCoat, so I can't comment on it. But, I can tell you that I cannot imagine that ANYTHING would be better to use than ColorCoat. It has very dense pigment content; two light, covering coats will change black into white, and vice versa. If the parts are cleaned well, they DO NOT need a prep coat of any primer. It is amazing to me that SEM would even make anything similar, as ColorCoat is so darn good.
If you decide to try SureCoat, please let us know how it turned out.
If you decide to try SureCoat, please let us know how it turned out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
I have finally been able to find someone that can mix up SEM in the correct color. When I was talking with the people at SEM they recommended Sure Coat instead of Color Coat for the interior panels. They said it's just a newer technology that covers much better. I can have either one mixed up. Any one with feedback on the Sure Coat?
