Changing color of vinyl and plastic exterior parts

Hey guys,
I want to change the color of some of the exterior trim on my car (78SC), by either getting new parts of the correct color (white), or dying / painting my current (black). The parts are the front "smile" strip the lower chin piece, the bumper side accordian pieces, and the rear mud flaps. Any ideas where I can get some white pieces, or input on the best way to change the color of my current.

Thanks,
Leon

Am I missing something? All of those parts are supposed to be black - I've never seen them in another color.

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Emanuel Brown
1983 911 SC Targa
http://home.att.net/~epbrown01/91183.jpg

I have seen some attempts at changing the color of vinyl/leather and even some plastics but for the most part it does not hold up as well as the individual had hoped for (your milage may vary).

I think that all the parts that you listed are rubber. I have never heard of anyone having any success with changing the color on any rubber pieces.

Maybe there is a process for that I am not aware of.

Good Luck

s

If you are going to change the color on vinyl parts, try going to a good paint store and get some vinyl spray paint. It will not crack under normal use and gives a bit, which normal spray paint will not do. The stuff is a bit more expensive but worth it. I have used it on motorcycle seats to change the color and it did not rub off...

JA

There is a thread about dying/painting a headliner. I bought some vinyl paint from PPG, but I'm going to try it on some scap vinyl first. Also SEM makes vinyl and plastic paints and repair kits. I'm going to change my headliner color from grungy white to black, and also (if it works) paint the dash, knee pads, and door tops black.

In redoing my interior, I got some vinyl and leather paint. I bought it thinking I would never use it -- it seemed too good to be true.

I'm still waiting to be 100% convinced that it's as good as putting in new leather, but I tried it for freshening up the color on some minor pieces of vinyl, and was so impressed with the results that I then tried it on one of the (formerly) tan pillars behind one of the doors -- just to see how it would hold up.

A week later, it still looks great. We'll see how it holds up to the vinyl heating and cooling and all of that. But the pieces I repainted black on black look like new. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.




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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T sunroof coupe
http://members.rennlist.com/jackolsen/Jalopy.html

Jack,

Which pieces did you paint? What type of vinyl paint did you use? I'm not too worried about doing the headliner, because it looks like crap now, but I'm hesitant about doing the dash, knee pads, and door tops.

I put a new coat of black on the seat belt base covers and the rear side sections that include the piece that conforms to the shape of the rear wheel well. I'm considering putting a coat on my under-dash AC unit, although I'm a little hesitant to use it on any piece (like the door tops) that's going to get regular contact.

The brand I used was Surflex.

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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T sunroof coupe
http://members.rennlist.com/jackolsen/Jalopy.html

I repainted my entire interior from tan to black six months ago, and it still looks great. I used SEM professional vinyl paint for the vinyl, and for the high abrasion area leather seats I went to a saddle shop and got some oil based leather dye. With new carpet from Original Fit Interiors, the interior looks great. My advice sbout the vinyl- buy a gallon of enamel reducer, PPG DT870, I think, (doesnt soften the vinyl like lacquer thinner) and wipe down the vinyl thoroughly before spraying. Armor all is the enemy of paint, and you need to get it all off. Make the first coat literally just a dusting of paint, or else you will get fisheyes. Do two or three dustings five minutes apart, then go for a full coverage. Make sure to use a high quality paint like SEM, for a longer lasting job.

The leather dye is wiped on and soaks into the leather.

By the way, I did the dash also, but it requires about three hours of fastidious taping of glass and instruments. Once done, do not use Armor All or anything with silicone on the painted parts, or you won't be able to touch it up a few years down the road.,

[This message has been edited by Serge (edited 07-31-2000).]