Interior dye
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
Interior dye
Going to dye my faded interior parts, would like to hear from people that has performed this procedure. A few questions I have is where did you buy the dye, prepping the surface, any brand better than the other? Any info from someone that has performed this is appreciated
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,170
Likes: 4,248
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi K,
People report good success using the products made by SEM.
The thorough preparation and scrupulous cleaning of the surface of the part to be dyed is crucial!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
People report good success using the products made by SEM.
The thorough preparation and scrupulous cleaning of the surface of the part to be dyed is crucial!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 978
Likes: 254
From: Bethlehem, PA
Corvette America's spray was recommended to me which I used on a C4 for a perfect match (beige color). I also used SEM black on some trim parts; their products are first quality as well. Do a google search to see proper prep; mostly to clean, clean and clean again.
Going to dye my faded interior parts, would like to hear from people that has performed this procedure. A few questions I have is where did you buy the dye, prepping the surface, any brand better than the other? Any info from someone that has performed this is appreciated
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 103
From: Centerville Louisiana
A little secret
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 1,009
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
Croaker is right on. SEM Color Coat. I just used the off the shelf Landau Black. Just did mine from Red to Black. Stuff is incredible, just make sure to use their prep products too. They are different for the vinyl covered and hard plastic. It actually is not a dye, but a paint with special flex agents. I used 5 cans on my interior. Great stuff!
I used the SEM Soap on all pieces with Gray scuff pads. Vinyl adhesion promoter on Vinyl, and plastic prep and plastic adhesion promoter on hard plastic.
My local Advanced Auto has the complete SEM line.
I used the SEM Soap on all pieces with Gray scuff pads. Vinyl adhesion promoter on Vinyl, and plastic prep and plastic adhesion promoter on hard plastic.
My local Advanced Auto has the complete SEM line.
Last edited by 69ttop502; Mar 23, 2017 at 11:33 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
I use nothing be SEM dye...but I don't buy their spray cans (or ANY spray cans, for that matter). Get liquid vinyl dye from a pro auto body paint supply store (not a car parts store). They can mix it to interior color code or to match an interior part you bring in. If you don't have spray equipment, buy a Pre-Val gas/bottle sprayer and 2-3 extra gas canisters. Kit is $10; extra canisters are about $3 each. Cheap and they do a GREAT job with thin vinyl dye.
You DO NOT want to use regular paint or regular paint with merely an added flex agent. Good vinyl dye is much different. It won't peel or chip, it won't fill in surface grain regardless of how many times you dye the part; and you can recolor from black to white and back to black again very easily.
Just do it.
Cleanliness is everything when you dye parts. ALL old protectants, dirt, grease, oil MUST be removed with detergent...then thoroughly rinsed and dried completely. Then you can spray new dye.
You DO NOT want to use regular paint or regular paint with merely an added flex agent. Good vinyl dye is much different. It won't peel or chip, it won't fill in surface grain regardless of how many times you dye the part; and you can recolor from black to white and back to black again very easily.
Just do it.
Cleanliness is everything when you dye parts. ALL old protectants, dirt, grease, oil MUST be removed with detergent...then thoroughly rinsed and dried completely. Then you can spray new dye.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 1,009
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
I use nothing be SEM dye...but I don't buy their spray cans (or ANY spray cans, for that matter). Get liquid vinyl dye from a pro auto body paint supply store (not a car parts store). They can mix it to interior color code or to match an interior part you bring in. If you don't have spray equipment, buy a Pre-Val gas/bottle sprayer and 2-3 extra gas canisters. Kit is $10; extra canisters are about $3 each. Cheap and they do a GREAT job with thin vinyl dye.
You DO NOT want to use regular paint or regular paint with merely an added flex agent. Good vinyl dye is much different. It won't peel or chip, it won't fill in surface grain regardless of how many times you dye the part; and you can recolor from black to white and back to black again very easily.
Just do it.
Cleanliness is everything when you dye parts. ALL old protectants, dirt, grease, oil MUST be removed with detergent...then thoroughly rinsed and dried completely. Then you can spray new dye.
You DO NOT want to use regular paint or regular paint with merely an added flex agent. Good vinyl dye is much different. It won't peel or chip, it won't fill in surface grain regardless of how many times you dye the part; and you can recolor from black to white and back to black again very easily.
Just do it.
Cleanliness is everything when you dye parts. ALL old protectants, dirt, grease, oil MUST be removed with detergent...then thoroughly rinsed and dried completely. Then you can spray new dye.
Totally agree with everything said here. However, unless you are using something that I can't find on the SEM website, the stuff is not a dye. And yes you can use it on carpet. The website has a great FAQ and Instructional page. Check it out.
SEM Color Coat Aerosols
Click to Enlarge
Color Coat™ is a specialty elastomeric coating formulated to restore or change the color of most vinyl surfaces, flexible and rigid plastics, carpet and velour. Color Coat is not a dye, but a fade resistant flexible and permanent coating.
The aerosol or mixed quart or gallon containers contain the same makeup as far as I can see.
Tech Data Sheet
Last edited by 69ttop502; Mar 24, 2017 at 07:22 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
SEM uses the term "elastomeric recoloring agent" instead of 'vinyl dye'.
Many brands labeled 'dye' are just regular paint with a flex agent added. SEM liquid dye (easier to type than elastomeric recoloring agent) is significantly different. It is very thin...almost watery; but it has very dense pigment. This allows you to spray very thin coats that do not fill up surface grain (like 'paint'), but it still covers VERY well.
It won't chip, peel or crack (if parts were clean). Two covering coats will change any color to any other color. And you can respray as many times as you want without changing the appearance of the part [except for color, of course].
Many brands labeled 'dye' are just regular paint with a flex agent added. SEM liquid dye (easier to type than elastomeric recoloring agent) is significantly different. It is very thin...almost watery; but it has very dense pigment. This allows you to spray very thin coats that do not fill up surface grain (like 'paint'), but it still covers VERY well.
It won't chip, peel or crack (if parts were clean). Two covering coats will change any color to any other color. And you can respray as many times as you want without changing the appearance of the part [except for color, of course].