Vinyl Dye DIY

[Pswirley]

I have seen a lot of threads in the last couple of weeks about people doing or wanting to interior color changes and what not. Everytime I open one of these and read them, I honestly cringe. People using the wrong products, not doing prep work, not letting paint/dye cure properly. I figured rather than continuing to sit back and throw up in my mouth, I would provide a little insight on products, prep, and curing.

If you are dying vinyl there are few more things you need to do prior to just spraying pieces or it will not last.

1. Clean panels thoroughly with warm soapy water. Do not soak the panels rather dampen a rag and wipe them until they are very clean. This will not be done quickly.

2. Remove any soap residue using another rag with clean warm water using the same method as above.

3. Spray the part you plan on dying with SEM brand vinyl prep which can be found at any paint store. Once you spray it, let it sit for about 5 minutes and wipe any remaining residue away.

4. Spray water from a water bottle in a mist in the area you are going to dye and if water beads and runs move on to step 5. If water streams or soaks go back to step 3.

5. Apply a product called bulldog plastic prep. This will help seal cracks in the surface. Yes it will work on your vinyl. Apply as if you are painting the piece you plan on dyeing. I may not fill the crack completely and cracked leather/vinyl is still cracked, but this product acts as a bit of a primer and your dye will adhere to it like nothing else on the market.

6. Apply chosen color SEM dye. Someone above mentioned satin black as a perfect match for OEM black, that is incorrect information. The exact black interior color match is called Landau Black. Its between satin and semi gloss.

7. Let the panels sit in a warm environment for at least 24 hours before thinking of attempting to reinstall them. Then spend another 24 hours thinking about installing them. Then go ahead and install them. (48 hrs. to completely cure).

8. If you cant DIY, don't try. People like me will charge you more to fix a screwed up piece at our shops than we will to do it right the first time.

For those of you who think you can handle it and plan on using this write up, please paypal 10 dollars to cawithers32001@yahoo.com since I just saved a couple hundred dollars.

[Bluebimma]

Good DIY swirley!!!

[cipher982]

Are these products all available locally? Or is there a website you would recommend purchasing these from? I would really like to try this.

[Pswirley]

Is there a paint shop in Birmingham? These are pretty standard products for body shops and customs shops.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/autobodydepot/sealcoat.aspx Here is a link to buy online, but you can find this stuff in most paint stores. google paint stores birmingham.

[ereid74]

nooooob question...what is all dyeable? doorpanels? dash? seats?! this is insane@!

[exodus454]

Hm. I dyed most of my interior using VHT Vinyl Dye. They also have a Vinyl and Plastic Prep spray that I used, and it worked pretty well. On almost everything I used it on (except the visor mounts, those are a bitch to get that to stick to), I can't scratch it off with my fingernail.

I was really skeptical about dying everything, but it worked out great for me. I can't tell the difference between OEM black plastic around the shifter from the newly dyed dash.

I also painted my friend's door handles for him in his '90 M3. Came out really nicely, but I do believe that prep is everything.

[ereid74]

ok before i mess up....are the seats dyeable also? I have a completely black interior and would love to spice it up a bit....no flames..just 2 tone with probably an off white

[Miked37945]

6. Apply chosen color SEM dye. Someone above mentioned satin black as a perfect match for OEM black, that is incorrect information. The exact black interior color match is called Landau Black. Its between satin and semi gloss.

Great write-up especially since I'm planning to dye mine. The seats are way past cleaning. What would be the color match for Tan?

[MRcomputerMAN]

nice DIY, well done

[smokedbmw]

ok so i used vinyl paint. turned out to be horrible. so i am going to try this but after i took my panels out they sag and wont stay in the right place anyone know what?

[flyfishvt]

Sagging door panels? You have a 93. I beieve the 93 door panels had just the panel material on the top with slots cut in it. The later door panels had a plastic strip that was glued to the panel. This strip had the slots in it and was much sturdier. I had a 92 door panel that was in good condition other than the slots in the top were all broken. I also had a piece of that plastic strip with the slots from another door panel that was toast. I took the plastic piece and used Liquid Nails, clamped it in place behind the broken slots on the top of the door panel and VOILA. good as new and it stays put on the door so there are no gaps at the top.

[smokedbmw]

Sagging door panels? You have a 93. I beieve the 93 door panels had just the panel material on the top with slots cut in it. The later door panels had a plastic strip that was glued to the panel. This strip had the slots in it and was much sturdier. I had a 92 door panel that was in good condition other than the slots in the top were all broken. I also had a piece of that plastic strip with the slots from another door panel that was toast. I took the plastic piece and used Liquid Nails, clamped it in place behind the broken slots on the top of the door panel and VOILA. good as new and it stays put on the door so there are no gaps at the top.

so your sayin i could find all the panels from lets say a 97 and just swap them over and not have this problem?

[flyfishvt]

If its the slots in the top part then yes. The newer door panels replaced the weak material of the door panel at the top with a plastic strip. Much better design. My fix worked for me because I had a piece of that plastic from another door panel. The slots in the plastic lined up perfectly with the old broken slots.

[jbarger4]

this sounds interesting dose anyone have any pics of how it turned out

[smokedbmw]

If its the slots in the top part then yes. The newer door panels replaced the weak material of the door panel at the top with a plastic strip. Much better design. My fix worked for me because I had a piece of that plastic from another door panel. The slots in the plastic lined up perfectly with the old broken slots.

i honestly cant remember. its the back cards in mine too. its a two door so those things in the back haha

[dfreshx00]

how many cans of prep and how many cans of dye should be brought if i just want to do the inserts of my door panels

[exodus454]

how many cans of prep and how many cans of dye should be brought if i just want to do the inserts of my door panels

probably one can of prep and 2 cans of dye.. prep goes much farther and it depends on how heavily you have to lay the dye down. never a bad idea to buy extra in case you need to do a touch up later down the road.

[bmwstephen]

Thread revival but what are the care instructions after dying? I imagine the dye composition prevents you from ysing the offshelf vinyl/leathet protectant

[bimmerrob10]

well i know one thing the product he speaks of called bulldog is wicked great works on alot of stuff we use it in our shop on raw plastic bumpers and such . makes paint stick like glue
im trying to find the dye some where but so far no luck , i see plenty of vinyl spray paint but never see the dye

[paniolo]

SEM is body shop quality color. Usually can find it at body shop suppliers, Sherwin Williams auto centers usually have. There is a locater on their website. They have product for both plastic and soft material, vinyl, carpet, leather.

[bigwen1]

Well, I just ordered some for my console my console in my e-90 is the sand color. I ordered the color and prep. I will post before and after pictures.
I need mine for the driver side where I sit up against it and its fading.

[405style]

Leatherique FTW