How to dye door panels?
Thread Starter
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
How to dye door panels?
Can this be done successfully? Does it wear off? Any dye better than another?
I want to dye oxblood over red. Red door panels are new.
I want to dye oxblood over red. Red door panels are new.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
If it's the dye from auto products places (like Zip, Corvette Central, etc.) it's pretty good stuff. I'd call it paint - don't know why they use the word "dye". Someone said that all of the panels are originally beige and every color is painted (oops, I mean dyed) on. My center console was dyed about 25 years ago and never has rubbed off... 
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
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when you put something dark like oxblood over a light filer like the leatherique i just used you;ll see why the call it dye---it doesnt look like paint over this light area.. paint would cover,, even if a 1st coat this looks like a combination of the 2 thats the best way i can describe it,,,maby it was the leatherique i was covering,,,but i gave it 3 coats in these areas and thats when i really noticed the difference--- also it seems to dry very fast, i was talking to gus the tech for corvette central and he said that there was others that had a hard time with the dark red as i noticed it came out flat then semi gloss then flat again -all from the same can--while spraying 4 or5 parts-its seems just the way the paint/dye wants to come out-so the best solution i could see was just to clear coat after dying/painting and then it all matched up perfectly it doesnt come off,dont even worry about that,,,i got parts i did 4 yrs ago and there like new-and you'll never tell which one you dyed and which one you bought---i cant believe hoe well they blend in-i can paint a spot in a door panel --without painting the entire panel and it always comes out,,,,but i have to clear itto blend it out
Last edited by carl a; Dec 13, 2004 at 08:18 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,936
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Thanks, Jerry, Carl. I love that oxblood color you have Carl, that's where I got this crazy idea. I'll have to get some of that clear too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
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From: Wildwood IL
Clean em...clean em... then clean em some more. Numerous light coats works best. I had bad results using SEM Dye, but great results using Corvette America's brand. Many vendors get their dye from C America.
I too used a topcoat of clear (SEM) and it took the shine out of the black color I used. I LIKE IT!!!!
Also scratched off the dye to reveal the stiching.
Eddie
I too used a topcoat of clear (SEM) and it took the shine out of the black color I used. I LIKE IT!!!!
Also scratched off the dye to reveal the stiching.
Eddie
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 273
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From: Murphy Texas
Originally Posted by carl a
i noticed it came out flat then semi gloss then flat again -all from the same can--while spraying 4 or5 parts-its seems just the way the paint/dye wants to come out
I can't wait to put it all back together. Every piece has been removed and either restored or replaced with new. It's getting close. Just a couple more items, if my wife doesn't kill me first! ($30 here, $50 there... it all adds up fast!)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,167
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From: Ft.Worth Texas
And for the plastic parts, use a product called Bulldog. It is available at PPG paint and probably other supplies stores as well. Comes in a spray can and makes the dye stick to plastic, chrome, metal etc.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 2
From: Flanders NJ
I used dye from Corvette America, came out perfect. you have to really clean it good then wipe down with alcohol. Get more than you need so that it is all from the same dye lot. If you run out and order more later it may not match. The dye is different from paint, dye gets absorbed into the material and remains flexable. Paint will harden and crack on a flexable surface. It's an easy job, go for it. 
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
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i sprayed 5 different parts one after another in the garage a few nights back(with heat on) all within a half ahour while shaking can ..when dried, 1st was semi gloss 2nd semi gloss 3rd and 4th flat last piece semi gloss,,then went over the 3rd again ,,came out semi gloss,,went over the 4th,,,stayed flat,,no rime or reason here,,,stopped what i was doing and got clear coat,,hit every thing w/ clear no problems-then masked off a section of my door panel above the armrest,,,on a crack repair i made a few weeks back,,,swept can while spraying side to sidecame out flat where i blendedit,,hit with clear,took off tape,,cannot see origional color from new dye,,this was a 5 yr old door panel,,,that was purchased a fewyrs BEFORE IT WAS INSTALLED BY PREVIOUS OWNERS..I ALSO HAVE PUT THIS DYE ON SUN BLEACHED AREAS IN MY CARPET,,brush in pile w/ a old scrubbrush..allow to dry-perfect match
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
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I used dye from Corvette America, came out perfect. you have to really clean it good then wipe down with alcohol. Get more than you need so that it is all from
iget it from corvette central or whoever uses corvette america-it will get shipped directly from corvette america after corvette central or who ever takes there chunk of dough out..!!. do you have a ''test piece''??? thats what i did to check the gloss of the clear coat and to check for ;;paint lift'' before spraying my sacred origional skinned pieces!!!!!
I used dye from Corvette America, came out perfect. you have to really clean it good then wipe down with alcohol. Get more than you need so that it is all from
iget it from corvette central or whoever uses corvette america-it will get shipped directly from corvette america after corvette central or who ever takes there chunk of dough out..!!. do you have a ''test piece''??? thats what i did to check the gloss of the clear coat and to check for ;;paint lift'' before spraying my sacred origional skinned pieces!!!!!
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte North Carolina
This may sound crazy but i used a light spray of regular auto metal primer (krayon) .then sprayed a few coats of corvette america dye.Gave me a nice even color.with less coats.Even helped on getting dye to stick to the steering column 2 years later looks great no scratches.My 2cents
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Jughead
Thanks, BTW Carl your bumpers look good from here. 
