I have a 1976 T-top with a buckskin interior that is really tired. I acquired an almost complete dark brown interior, except carpet. I was looking for an inexpensive fix I pulled out the old faded carpet and set out to dye it. Did a bunch of internet searching and decided to go with common Rit dye. I figured I'd write up what I learned for others looking for a relatively easy and cheap fix.

What you need: 3 bottle Rit dye ($3.50 ea. Walmart or Michaels); 30 gallon plastic tub (Lowes, about $14); half gallon common vinegar ($2 Home Depot); water.

My first effort was an epic fail. I did three separate batches using about 10 gallons of water for each Rit bottle with 2 carpet sections in each batch. I used hot tap water and a cup of vinegar (vinegar helps the carpet soak up the dye). Each section came out with tiger stripes which I guess could be kinda cool but not what I was looking for. I turned to the expert (my wife). She has experience in dying fabric and wool projects.

It turns out much to my dismay the volume of water has no impact. I figured less water equals more intense dye but that is not the case. First lesson, use more water. Also the hotter the water the better, lesson two. So I got some big pots that I use when I clean parts and boiled off about 20-25 gallons dumped into the tub. Added one bottle of Rit and a cup of vinegar. Stir it up. Put in two carpet pieces and stirred the pieces (a lot easier with more water). Occasional stirring instead of letting soak without stirring is lesson three. Stopped by the tub every so often and continued moving the pieces around for a couple hours. Left soaking overnight (my wife says not necessary as the dye should soak in after a couple hours, but I was in beer mode by that time). Next morning I took the pieces out, and rinsed them with the hose thoroughly. Dried in the sun. Came out great...dark brown; no stripes; remains soft and ready for reinstall.

The keys for me were more water; hotter water and keep agitating the carpet pieces.

 

Nice job...

We used to use pretty much this same method when we would re-color old seat belts. We'd boil the water add the dye and then put the entire belt inside. It's the only way to get the dye to take into the piece of work.

As far as carpet... I'm not so sure the effort is worth the outcome since replacement carpet is fairly cheap, but it still saved you money in the long run. That's a lot of work and in most cases the old carpets are in pretty bad shape. But.. it works. Using spray dye on carpet is a complete waste of time in my opinion.

Willcox

 

Not to hi jack the thread but I need re-die the carpet strip om my 78 Door panels. Any suggestions that would look good & last?

 

Yeah.. your in trouble... You can't dye the carpet on a 1978-1982 car in the fashion mentioned above... You'd have to submerge the entire door panel in hot water and I don't see that happening... You can't replace the carpet because it's stitched into the actual door panel.

Your best bet is to replace the panels with new... (hate to say it)... but true.

Willcox

 

Thanks. That is what I expected just wanted to be sure.

 

I do have the panels on sale until Sunday.. The discount code is listed on the front page of my website..

 

Thanks for the heads up. I will take a look.