I Had Great Luck Dyeing My Headliner...

[HeBeGB]

In case anyone wants my unsolicited 2 cents...I've seen some posts regarding dying the various vinyl parts of the interior, and while it seems like a mixed review, I have to say it went very well for me. My interior is/was a color I didn't care for (tan) and I'm in the process of re-doing the whole thing. I started with the headliner.

After reading the stories on trying to replace it myself and calling a few local glass shops that weren't too confident, it seemed like dyeing would be worth a try. I was skeptical at best and figured the next hot day I would end up with jet-black hair, but what the heck. I went to the local Finish Master auto paint store to see what they had.

I ended up purchasing a quart of jet-black vinyl dye ($29), basically the stuff they use for roofs (I ended up using about 1/3 of that). I cleaned the headliner with laquer thinner and let it dry. After removing the seats for easy access, I applied the dye with a good quality 1in brush. 2 hours later it was done, dry, no brush marks, and really looked like brand new.

The whole thing looks fantastic and I've had it sitting in the sun a few days since and no smell, no sticky mess, and no jet-black hair. I'm going to try the seats next.
gb

[Bob's Flat-Six]

I've done mine too with good results but used a a vinyl spray made by SEM. They also had a prep. conditioner you spray on first.
Mine turned out great too but with all the over spray and masking I had to do your way sounds like it might be the way to go.
Cheers

[Jack Olsen]

I painted my headliner black (it was white). No complaints at all.

[jwetering]

OK - that's it, I've put it off long enough. I'm in too!

[bob tilton]

mine was painted black by the previous owner which was confirmed this weekend upon removing the rear windshield. i think this is a great inexpensive and less laborious alternative to water stained headliners. plus black headliners look...better.

[Rob McKibbon]

Mine is sky blue

[Blackcab]

I thought I was the only one in the world who was contemplating changing their interior color. I always wanted a triple black carrera and recently found the best car with the closest color combo. . . black exterior, black top but linen interior (white). After many years of use, the interior color is old, faded and looks very dingy. I have thought about dyeing the interior but did not know if could be done with out having some faded, streaky looking mess. I have both vinyl and leather with white carpet. I want to dye it all. Any suggesstions on how to dye the carpet and leather? Please post some before and after photos!

[Jim Richards]

HeBeGB, this sounds like something I want to try doing, too. Can you provide any more specific info on the dye you used? Also, what type of 1" brush did you use? Thanks!

[HeBeGB]

Jim,
The dye I used was made by PPG and was 'UVC-120' in the Finish Master catalog, but just labeled 'Jet Black' on the container. The stuff is more the consistency of stain rather than paint, but although it's thin, I didn't have trouble with drips. Even so I still put down some old sheets inside the car just in case (although the carpet goes out this week). I used a good nylon bristle brush ($5), the kind you would use to put on polyurethane stain. I didn't want brush marks, and the stuff can be caustic to sponge brushes (or at least the glue that holds sponge pads together). I tried using a rag to dab it on, but the brush could deliver more. I bought 50 pairs of rubber gloves for $3 from Home Depot just so I wouldn't have black fingers for a week.

I also dyed the A and B pillars, basically everything from the window-line up. They were covered with a harder, more rubbery type of vinyl, but again no problems.

I think one of the keys is to make sure everything is clean first. The laquer thinner also helps to soften up the vinyl and make it absorb the dye better. All-in-all it worked far better than I expected, and the material even feels softer and more pliable than it used to.

gb

[trj911]

I'm with Rob on this one. I'd paint mine but I'd have to put the top up to do so.