Interior dye
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Murphy Texas
Interior dye
I have everything out of the interior to be refinished. What a mess it was. Bubba sure gets around.
The interior was originally dk blue, but was black when I boyght it. However, the black paint was peeling and flaking everywhere. Under the black it is white. I'm not sure if it is primer or if it was painted white before it was painted black. My guess is it wasn't dyed correctly, but may have been just spray painted.
Question is, how can I prep it to re-do the black. Can I dye it over previous paint or dye?
Thanks for the help.
The interior was originally dk blue, but was black when I boyght it. However, the black paint was peeling and flaking everywhere. Under the black it is white. I'm not sure if it is primer or if it was painted white before it was painted black. My guess is it wasn't dyed correctly, but may have been just spray painted.
Question is, how can I prep it to re-do the black. Can I dye it over previous paint or dye?
Thanks for the help.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Dry Ridge Kentucky
I dyed the whole interior (except seats) using the primer and dye from Corvette America. Clean, clean, clean then primer and light coats of the dye. Don't use the stuff from the local auto parts, its too glossy. The CA dye dries to a semi-gloss that matches the original. I dyed black over saddle and it works pretty good. I wouldn't try it on seats because I don't think it will flex enough.
Check it out at http://rkeithjohnson.home.mindspring.com/
Check it out at http://rkeithjohnson.home.mindspring.com/
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Hershey Pa
I've redyed over old dye and it came out very nice. The key was to clean every little crevice with alcohol and prime it first. I used regular Rustoleum primer. If I didn't prime first I got lotsa fisheyes in the paint.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Murphy Texas
So, if the interior was painted with paint instead of interior dye, can the dye go over it? If not, has anyone used paint before? Does dye actually penetrate and "dye" the plastic, or is it just another word for paint?
Does dye last longer or what are the other benefits over paint?
Does dye last longer or what are the other benefits over paint?
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My interior was poorly painted black over saddle. Before I re-painted it, I took lots of laquer thinner...and a good respirator!!...and wiped as much of the old paint off as I could possibly manage. Work in small areas. lacquer thinner is very volatile, so the respirastor is a must, and you simply cannot work in large areas due to the volatility.
Did that, prepped it with sand-free (I think) and sprayed it with interior dye that i had custom mixed. Worked out great!
Did that, prepped it with sand-free (I think) and sprayed it with interior dye that i had custom mixed. Worked out great!
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: OH
The CorvetteFaq website has some good information about this process. I have not done it, yet. However, I plan on using this information when I do:
http://www.corvettefaq.com/searchres...earch=interior
http://www.corvettefaq.com/searchres...earch=interior
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
Originally Posted by keith72
I dyed the whole interior (except seats) using the primer and dye from Corvette America. Clean, clean, clean then primer and light coats of the dye. Don't use the stuff from the local auto parts, its too glossy. The CA dye dries to a semi-gloss that matches the original. I dyed black over saddle and it works pretty good. I wouldn't try it on seats because I don't think it will flex enough.
Check it out at http://rkeithjohnson.home.mindspring.com/
Check it out at http://rkeithjohnson.home.mindspring.com/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Interior dye is usually a vinyl paint that sits on top of the material. This is the Mid America dye, SEM dye, etc.. which are the same vinyl paints that you will buy from Auto supply stores and Corvette catalog houses. There are a few true dyes that penetrate the material, such as molecuebond.
My guess is Bubba may have either painted your seats with regular paint or primer of some type or didnt prepare the surface correctly for vinyl paint application.
In either case, you might be SOL. You can try to remove this with a paint solvent. This also has the effect of removing your vinyl textured surface if you rub too much in the same spot.
The key to making vinyl paint work as stated by others is to get a really clean surface. I used Dawn dish soap and then a quick wipe with a solvent to clean/degrease the surface.
I did mine tan to black 2 years ago and its holding up pretty well-almost like new. You have to almost gouge the material with a metal object to get it to scratch. Also the cheap $5 Plastikote from PepBoys, AutoZone has the same durability as the expensive $17 SEM from a PPG paint store stuff. The correct color hue is what comes with a price I think, which is a little less important if your going to black.
Brent...
My guess is Bubba may have either painted your seats with regular paint or primer of some type or didnt prepare the surface correctly for vinyl paint application.
In either case, you might be SOL. You can try to remove this with a paint solvent. This also has the effect of removing your vinyl textured surface if you rub too much in the same spot.
The key to making vinyl paint work as stated by others is to get a really clean surface. I used Dawn dish soap and then a quick wipe with a solvent to clean/degrease the surface.
I did mine tan to black 2 years ago and its holding up pretty well-almost like new. You have to almost gouge the material with a metal object to get it to scratch. Also the cheap $5 Plastikote from PepBoys, AutoZone has the same durability as the expensive $17 SEM from a PPG paint store stuff. The correct color hue is what comes with a price I think, which is a little less important if your going to black.
Brent...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Murphy Texas
Thanks for the info. I was worried about using a solvent on the plastic and what it might do to the grain. But I think I have a good starting point and idea on what to do. I'll let you know how it works out. 
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Originally Posted by USA SHARK
.. Under the black it is white. ...
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.
Going to black is easy. Probably black underneath many pieces now. You can find out real easy w/ lacquer thinner or even carb cleaner will work, try again.
Many of the interior pieces absorb dye or paint. Some auto parts vinyl paint is fine. Apply in the sun.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
I'm in the process of repainting my interior plastic. I'm using an almost identical color, so its not as challenging. I was not happy at all with the interior dye from Corvette America at $14.00/can. It takes nearly 5-6 coats. The dye is to thin...almost like water. Someone on this board suggested the Plasticoat interior paints that you can buy at Pepboys. It worked FAR better and covered in 2 coats. And at $3.50/can is a much better value. The person who suggested it passed judging with a doe skin interior at a show with the Plasticoat, so it was a very close match. I prep with Dawn liquid dishwashing soap (great degreaser) and final prep with spray can brake cleaner. No harsh chemicals to myself or the plastic.
