Dyeing interior parts.

[Ktaaffe77442]

I finally got my 77 442 back from the body shop after a so called friend totally ruined the new paint job and then left. However it is past the cruising season here in minnesota. So i plan on doing some interior work this winter. I have a new dash that is black and i need to dye it Red. i would also like to touch up the other interior parts. Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated.

[77 Cutlass]

We just got done having a dash dyed. The upholsterer used SEM color coat. Ours was green, but it comes in several colors, including firethorn. It's a spray dye. He was able to dye the dash in place, but I imagine it would be much easier if the dash was out. It has a really nice finish. I believe it also works on the plastic pieces such as the kick panels. Something else that works on plastic is Fusion spray paint by Krylon. It is specifically for plastic and adheres very well when applied as directed.
Hope this helps.
Lori

[sumrof75]

Many of the reputable paint shops can mix a plastic/vinyl paint if you are unable to find the right match. Best advice: clean, clean, clean and use many light coats. You cannot rush this process.

[redchas]

I have used SEM products from Eastwood with great success. It is a 3 step process; cleaner, primer conditioner and top coat. Follow directions and have patience. I recently dyed some lower door panels from brown to white for my 73 H/O. Disassemble as much as possible for a more professional finish.

[texxas8902]

What they said. Take it completely apart. You should do complete pieces not try to touch up small areas. Wash the parts, then wash them again and while you're at it wash them. I have used the SEM plastic prep after washing and then the color coat. I used the SEM Buckskin yesterday on my new t top trim and it looks factory. The SEM products are available around my area at the English Automotive Paint Supply stores. Lots of semi light coats as stated previously. The stuff dries quickly and has a lot of solids in it so it covers well. The colors I have used have been on the money as far as color match. BUT it won't match what you have because it is 30 years old and faded. It is best to do all the trim so it is all the same. Good luck.

[Doug Blake]

Hey speaking about paint dyes, what is the right color white for our 73-77's? I had bought some white from Eastwood, but of course it's too damn white. I guess it's more of a off white??

[karfever]

Hey speaking about paint dyes, what is the right color white for our 73-77's? I had bought some white from Eastwood, but of course it's too damn white. I guess it's more of a off white??

I was wondering the same thing...:confused:

[texxas8902]

Hey speaking about paint dyes, what is the right color white for our 73-77's? I had bought some white from Eastwood, but of course it's too damn white. I guess it's more of a off white??

I think the white was more of a brighter white when it was new. It becomes yellowed and off white over time. That said I don't know what the white dye is called. They have a SEM color chart at the paint supply store I use. Like I said before it has been pretty accurate on the colors I have used. Carmine red, oxblood, saddle tan, camel tan, light buckskin, midnight blue, medium blue, dark brown and probably a few others. I've been able to match Honda Accord dash boards, Dodge truck dash boards, Mercedes Benz dashboards, 79 Cutlass dash and interior trim, 76 Cutlass dash pad and interior trim with compaticolor, Trans-Am interior panels and others I'm sure I'm forgetting. The graphite gray color I used didn't match the 94 25th anniversary T/A interior as much as I would have liked but it has to be in full sun to see the difference so it's close. I'm going to buy 2 more cans of camel tan on Monday, I'll look at the whites on the chart and see what is available and looks like a match but I don't currently have a piece of white trim for comparision.

[77 Cutlass]

I have a chart (and a car) in front of me. I believe the "sailcloth white" is the closest to it. 15603 is the reference number. the "white" and "gloss white" are gray in appearance and the "super white" is almost tan in color. "Phantom white" isn't even close. They are the only whites on the chart.
Lori

[zodiacblue442]

Hey speaking about paint dyes, what is the right color white for our 73-77's? I had bought some white from Eastwood, but of course it's too damn white. I guess it's more of a off white??

SEM Super White is the closest color for an original white `73-`77 Cutlass interior. Don't let the name "Super White" fool you - it's actually more of an eggshell color. My `73 442 interior was originally white. The SEM Super White is almost an exact match. I think it's the closest on the market. Follow the instructions on the spray can to the letter including pre spraying with the bonding agent for rigid plastics. Oh, and make sure before you spray your plastic, make sure it is 100% oil and grease free! Scrub it with Fantastik or 409, some water and a toothbrush, rinse it off, then clean it again. Dry the part, then wipe it down two or three times with Plastic Prep (a degreaser made for plastics). Let the part air dry and wipe it down again. After it dries you're ready to spray. All the cleaning may sound like overkill, but believe me it's not. I've tried to rush the job before and ended up with fisheyes in the fresh SEM. A real pain to deal with. :mad: The extra time prepping the part saves a whole bunch of frustration later.

[brad442]

Guys,

I recently purchased a can of SEM interior plastic paint from Mid America Motorworks. They are a supplier to the Corvette World. Anyway, Jim Emmi mentioned he used their white and it is an exact match. The Corvette guys are sticklers when it comes to restos and the interior dye colors they offer seem to be spot on. I am getting ready to re-dye my interior as well. Corvettes offered "Buckskin" colored interiors in 1977 (as pretty much all GM divisons did) and the paint sample I received looks to be a dead on spot match. I would take a look at the white they offer for 1977. I think Jim used it on his and he said it was a perfect match. Shoot Jim a PM if you need to. his user name is 77-442.

[redchas]

I think I used the SEM white rather than the "super" white. It is quite white but when you do all the old yellowed panels and trim pieces it does look pretty sweet. You better make sure your clothes are clean and you'll almost want to wear gloves when you get in it! I have a mechanic who will not get into my car because he knows he will soil it!!!

[msco123]

Have this been resolved yet? I see one of us says use superwhite and another says white. I just finished doing my 73 supreme in superwhite and when I put the seats in, the superwhite looked more of an eggshell color and did not match the whiteness of my seats. Now, maybe my upholsterer did not use the right color vinyl but this is really confusing the hell out of me. And while my memory ain't what it used to be, I seem to remember my brand new 73 supreme came with a white interior, not any off white, eggshell or otherwise. But... I could be wrong. So let me hear your opinions, please.

[Doug Blake]

Im waiting to hear as well since i need to do the white interior for my 73 & 77 442's.

[msco123]

For what it's worth:

This is what Eastwood says about white:"NOTE:This is really a bright white. For off white order (11440z)." http://www.eastwood.com/white-interior-paint-aerosol-12-oz-net.html

And about superwhite:"NOTE:This is really an off-white. For bright white order (11438z)." http://www.eastwood.com/super-white-interior-paint-aerosol-12-oz-net.html

[stews73ho]

I have had a couple experiences with my local automotive paint shop mixing interior dyes. Both were good. One was for my 73 HO and the other was my 95 S10. Looked through the book, found the code, and mixed the dye. The white dye for the 73 HO was right on. I dyed about 70% of the interior and the dye matched well. (I dyed the headliner too.) The dye color looked wrong in the can when I first looked at it. I really thought our interiors were more of a pure white. They are not. I would give your local automotive paint shop a try. They can put it in an aerosol can also.

[msco123]

The seat in these pictures was recently upholstered in a bright white. It made the other interior pieces painted with superwhite look eggshell. I dyed the seat with superwhite and when viewed under a flourescent light they looked eggshell. So I took these pictures under different lighting conditions and based upon my test, I think superwhite is just fine under normal lighting.

[msco123]

One more with normal interior lightiing.