Interior Dye or SEM vinyl Paint

[Matt7127]

I'm in the process of freshening up the interior of my car. I currently have tan colored door panels and was wondering if it would be possible to find a vinyl/leather paint or dye to match what I have. Attached is the color of the door panels.

[Chuck.H]

I sucessfully dyed (spray paint for plastic) the center console thing (that is linen colored in your picture) on my '89 but in my case I painted them black. They took the paint very well and it's held up for many years. Not sure maybe the center console and door panels are different material?

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 335k miles

[Matt7127]

The center console is plastic, but the door panels are vinyl I believe. I would like to leave the center console alone. I'm more interested in the door panels and finding a close match. I know SEM makes a vinyl paint (rattle can) that once prepped properly works very well. Has anyone redone there vinyl similar to mine with SEM or other vinyl paint/dye, if so what color did they use?

[Arne2]

Not yet, but I am planning on it. I've used SEM on other vehicles in the past with great results. I'm planning to replace my tired original door cards with new vinyl-covered. New are easiest available in black, I will dye them brown.

[NY65912]

+1 on SEM. Use the prep spray they make as well.

[donagain1]

+ Another guy for the SEM.
It worked well for me, even on the uber-flexible leather shifter boot... no hint of cracking, and no hint of wearing off the steering wheel despite sweaty palms.

[mschulz]

Love your blue interior. What color SEM vinyl paint did you use?

- Matt

[donagain1]

Thanks, Matt! It's #15043 "Shadow Blue".

When I gutted the interior to prep for the new World Upholstery carpet kit (see below) I decided that the fresh exterior paint job (factory Iris Blue Metalic) was contrasted nicely by the factory Navy Blue interior scheme, but within the interior the monochromatic darkness (little contrast between it and the little bit of black vinyl here and there) seemed to make it entirely too drab. The debate was: Will the value of the car would suffer because of the move away from a "stock" color scheme? In the end I didn't care in the least... ain't exactly like it's a 99-point Concours job, eh?

[donagain1]

Here's a "before/during" shot...

[WRGREENER]

i use Meltonian, a NU-LIFE product for vinyl, plastic & leather. goes on well works like iron and lots of colors. easy and forgiving

[Nick930]

Originally Posted by donagain1

+ Another guy for the SEM.
It worked well for me, even on the uber-flexible leather shifter boot... no hint of cracking, and no hint of wearing off the steering wheel despite sweaty palms.

Can I ask what brand and color of paint you used?

[Dr J]

I used SEM and the prep for it on my black door panel and am very happy with the result. It has been about a year and a half.

[speedracer92]

So SEM has two paints I think for Vinyl (below) - which one is the best to use on Vinyl for door panels and rear shelf?

EM Auto Upholstery Restoration - Classic Coat Interior Paint https://www.66autocolor.com/SEM-Classic-Coat-Aerosols-Interior-Paint-p/sem-17.htm

SEM Auto Interior Restoration Color Coat - Car Interior Paint - https://www.66autocolor.com/SEM-Color-Coat-Interior-Paint-p/sem-15.htm

[Dr J]

Can’t say which is better. Mine is the second link.

[Arne2]

I've used SEM Color Coat in the past with excellent results. Using SEM Prep is critical.

One nice thing about Color Coat is that they have 3 different blacks - gloss, satin or "limo flat".

[Superman]

I recently used SEM spray on the center console and one of the rear door cards, to change them from Cork to Burgundy. I also used it to spray an Ivory headliner, to make it Burgundy, before installing it. Works great. My expert advised to use "wax and grease remover" on the headliner to remove any release agent on its surface which had been used in manufacturing the new headliner. Then, on all parts, a wipe with lacquer thinner before applying the SEM spray. Worked great.

[Pato911]

I used the SEM Color coat to change the color of my vinyl rear seat in a BMW 2002. The "Landau Black" is awesome for interior. It has a great satin like sheen that is not too glossy or flat for interior pieces. Clean, prep and spray it!

[Dr J]

+1 for Landau black

[porsche930dude]

I did the back seat in my jeep with sem black 11 years ago. It gets used alot and its holding up great. I even put scrap metal and stuff in there all the time and it doesnt scratch off or anything.