Interior "Dye"-lemma...Which Gray Interior Dye is Closest To Original & How To Fix?

[DeloreanJoshQ]

The interior in 3307 is in great shape. However it has had several parts dyed. When in sunlight or when photos are taken the color comes up a bluish/gray shade(ex center console wrap)....The glove box lid may be original or has been dyed and contrasts against the rest of the interior...the carpet also has been dyed and has a similar hue...I plan to replace it with the light gray carpet....

I would like to correct the color so that everything matches or is like the original...

Would some keen eyes help me point out which parts have been dyed?
Then, what dye is available out there that closely matches the original gray?
How would I fix the bluish-gray shade to the more closely-matched color since it has already been dyed? Or would it be better to just replace the part with a used or NOS piece?

Below the center console wrap, passenger kneepad, and new dash pad look to be dyed...
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223352_10150578243040696_671145695_18477705_673886 1_n.jpg

In the below picture taken with a camera, only the center console appears to be dyed...
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225574_10150595321355696_671145695_18633112_518277 3_n.jpg

Below it is difficult to discern what pieces on the driverside have been dyed...
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/229377_10150595321910696_671145695_18633118_524144 9_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/230112_10150595322270696_671145695_18633121_758357 1_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/225866_10150578242600696_671145695_18477701_486547 0_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227846_10150595320560696_671145695_18633107_359456 5_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227013_10150595321545696_671145695_18633114_701800 1_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225918_10150595320740696_671145695_18633109_429613 6_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/246405_10150595320935696_671145695_18633110_393845 4_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/230244_10150595321150696_671145695_18633111_571729 1_n.jpg

I'd appreciate the help!

Josh Q

[TTait]

SEM Acura Charcoal 17333 is an excellent match for factory grey. It's a great product and easy to use.

I've tried Plastikote before and it was awful - the color was bad and it out gassed for months.

The SEM dries quickly, covers well, and doesn't stink or fog up the inside of the glass as it cures. It really looks good and the color match is within the range of nos items from Houston

It's an A+ product in my opinion. I also purchased a can of SEM 38343 Vinyl Prep. Perhaps that's part of the reason I'm so happy with the product, so play it safe and get a can of that too.

Another product I'm happy with is spray vinyl from Rustoleum. You can spray on a thin layer of actual vinyl. I used that to restore a very worn black center armrest that had wear spots where the vinyl and worn thin. It looks great so far. It would not work to repair a cracked piece of vinyl, but it does seem to lay down a good thin layer with each application - I suspect each new layer will bind well to the one below.

The problem with the spray vinyl is you can't control what the grain would look like. That was ok for the center armrest as it didn't take an excessive number of coats to get a good restoration and the grain still looks natural. Its a good tool, but not a panacea.

I have not tried spraying the vinyl and then dying it, but I imagine that would work fine if you were restoring a grey center armrest. Easy enough to test, spray some vinyl on a sheet of paper, let it dry and then use the SEM to take it to Grey.

[fnzen]

Dude ill trade my interior with yours that way you really have something to complain about:p

IMO after taking to Danny, all the interior greys apparently have a shade off of different interior components and the only way to make it match is to redo vinyl or redye

[David T]

Whatever product you choose to use there are some things to keep in mind. Proper prep is essential. The parts must be scrupulously clean. Best results are achieved when you remove the parts and dye them out of the car. ALL of the vinyl parts should be done so all of the parts look the same. When you have a new-looking part next to an undyed part the newer looking part makes the older looking part look worse. I have found if you hold the spray can further away (about 12 inches) than you normally would the dye dries a little before it gets on the part and leaves a dry orangy peel textured surface more closely simulating the original. Don't forget the leather. It can be redyed too. Check out Leatherique.com The leather parts are the seating surfaces of the seat bottom and back, the pull straps, steering wheel and on the 5-speeds the shift boot.
David Teitelbaum

[Evildeli]

I second SEM Acura Charcoal 17333. It might not be a perfect match, but pretty damn close. I'd say buy a can and do some tests before committing to redyeing the entire interior. I'm sure you'll like the results.

[DMC3165]

I second SEM Acura Charcoal 17333. It might not be a perfect match, but pretty damn close. I'd say buy a can and do some tests before committing to redyeing the entire interior. I'm sure you'll like the results.

+3 on this. I had a thread about this on the old site and trust me it's the best match you can get from a can. Aside from the dash,binnacle, and center console I did last fall, I recently re-did a black rear speaker panel and armrest. It came out great! a near perfect match to my grey door which is still the original color.

One thing use an adhesion promoter first. It will clean everything better then mineral spirits or paint thinners. (sem sells one also). After the promoter dries use a tack cloth to wipe it down then spray it. It'll last for another 30 years.

[painterdave72]

You can just take a nos part and have a store that mixes sem dye custom make you some. .that is what i did when i redyed my center console to a nos door panel and you can not tell the difference. .dave../

[DeloreanJoshQ]

Thanks for all of the help!

[DeloreanJoshQ]

+3 on this. I had a thread about this on the old site and trust me it's the best match you can get from a can. Aside from the dash,binnacle, and center console I did last fall, I recently re-did a black rear speaker panel and armrest. It came out great! a near perfect match to my grey door which is still the original color.

One thing use an adhesion promoter first. It will clean everything better then mineral spirits or paint thinners. (sem sells one also). After the promoter dries use a tack cloth to wipe it down then spray it. It'll last for another 30 years.

Any of you guys have pictures of the SEM grey on your interior pieces?

[DMC3165]

Here are some of mine. Dash,binnacle,knee pads and console are painted. Doors and A pillars are not.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[DeloreanJoshQ]

I ordered and received the SEM vinyl prep and Acura Charcoal Grey. Below are comparison pictures of my test part, a glove box lid, to the other parts in the car. I noticed it is alot lighter and also the texture of the paint is harder/rougher than the rest of the parts...normal?

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p48/jaq78/DSC07809.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p48/jaq78/DSC07808.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p48/jaq78/DSC07806.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p48/jaq78/DSC07800.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p48/jaq78/DSC07814.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p48/jaq78/DSC07802.jpg

[Ryan King]

Your car reminds me of this....
Except more like "Josh's Multi-Color Interior!"

[DMC3165]

In my case I used the adhesion promoter to clean all the panels even the ones I didn't paint. Removing all the 30 year old dirt and armorall helped brighten the old panels enough where it all blended pretty well. IMHO, in some cases you may have to do everything due to sun fade, wear and so on.

[DeloreanJoshQ]

The interior is bugging me...
I'm leaning towards gutting it next spring and doing a two-tone set-up, similar to DMCH's offering on their new build cars....we'll see....but not happy so far with the SEM results with the parts I have....
I did some research however, it it would cost $3500-$4000 in new parts to redo the interior unless I can get lucky and find some really good used pieces...

[SoCalDMC12]

Your glovebox cover looks a lot a closer in color to the other parts in your car. Seems like a better match the dye used on your console.

[DeloreanJoshQ]

Yeah, the center console is almost blue in color when in direct light.

The only thing bugging me about the new paint is the texture. the glove box lid is dull and hard vs. the other parts are soft to the touch and glossy looking in comparison....

[tjd]

What was the temperature and humidity when you did the painting? The SEM Acura Charcol that your using is identical to OEM DeLorean Grey. As far as color goes your glovebox lid is right, it's the rest that's off.

I sent you a pretty lengthy message on facebook about this this morning.

[Ryan King]

Yeah, the center console is almost blue in color when in direct light.

The only thing bugging me about the new paint is the texture. the glove box lid is dull and hard vs. the other parts are soft to the touch and glossy looking in comparison....

My Friend Chris re-dyed his interior with Martin's grey dye. I think it came out amazing. You should just go with the SEM spray for all of your hard vinyl pieces, like the rear partial shelf pieces, the knee pads, dash, binnacle. I would try something else for the center console.

Or just go black.... :)

[DMC3165]

I didn't notice it earlier but I think your glovebox matches your seats quite well. Your console is definitely way off but I sprayed mine with no ill effects. The only thing is 8 months later my armrest by the ashtray is now showing signs of wear.

[SoCalDMC12]

Yeah, the center console is almost blue in color when in direct light.

The only thing bugging me about the new paint is the texture. the glove box lid is dull and hard vs. the other parts are soft to the touch and glossy looking in comparison....

So I guess this stuff wouldn't be good for seats, or anywhere that the leather or vi yl is pliable?

[DeloreanJoshQ]

So I guess this stuff wouldn't be good for seats, or anywhere that the leather or vi yl is pliable?

Not sure...I may try it...

I took some vinyl shine/detailer and it helped soften/shine up what I previously reported after letting it dry for a day or so. It actually doesn't look so bad, it just doesn't match all of the surrounding parts that are different colors....

I have enough SEM dye and SEM vinyl prep to finish redying the rest of the parts that don't match gray....or...I may go the two-tone route very similar to DMCH's setup...

Do any of you know which SEM vinyl dye black closely matches the original?

Is it satin black?

Thanks,

Josh

[DeloreanJoshQ]

SEM carries the following black vinyl paints:

GM Black
Midnight Black (Ford)
Landau Black
Gloss Black
Satin Black


If anyone knows which of these would most closely match the original black for the interior panels I would greatly appreciate it.

[DCUK Martin]

My Friend Chris re-dyed his interior with Martin's grey dye. I think it came out amazing.

If anyone is coming over to the UK in the near future and could take back some cans of my dye, I'd be very grateful. There's never a problem taking them in the hold luggage on a commercial flight (think aerosol deodorant).

It's quite frustrating for me... I had my dye made so I could use it and I know the job it does... it's a pain not being able to ship it to you guys!

The key colour match is the seats because they can't be re-dyed. I once did an interior using an off-the-shelf dye and it looked great.... till I put the seats in, at which point the seats looked wrong. So my dye was matched up to an original piece of seat viny,l that hadn't been exposed to the sun or discoloured in any way.

I need to do an interior soon, I will shoot a video of myself doing it.

[sdg3205]

I've decided to go ahead and dye my interior.

I've ordered crack filler from Leatherique (http://www.leatheriquecanada.com/products.html)to fill the cracks in the dash and binnacle.

I've ordered 1 can of the SEM vinyl prep and 2 cans of the SEM Acura grey. Sound like the right quantities?

There's only one down side I can see to this dying business, and that is that you loose the white stitching. Obviously it becomes grey. Did anyone miss it or was the overall improvement just way to awesome?

Cheers

[TTait]

I've decided to go ahead and dye my interior.

I've ordered crack filler from Leatherique (http://www.leatheriquecanada.com/products.html)to fill the cracks in the dash and binnacle.

I've ordered 1 can of the SEM vinyl prep and 2 cans of the SEM Acura grey. Sound like the right quantities?

There's only one down side I can see to this dying business, and that is that you loose the white stitching. Obviously it becomes grey. Did anyone miss it or was the overall improvement just way to awesome?

Cheers

On many of my pieces with stitching, I only needed a very light dusting, and I feathered it to minimize what got on the stitching. My stitching wasn't brilliant white before, and i don't think the minimal amount of grey I got on mine made any visible difference.

[sdg3205]

Hey folks,

On some of the trim pieces, there are parts you obviously don't want to dye.

What's the best product to use to prevent damage to these areas?

Is normal masking tape safe or would the dye permeate?

Picked up the dye and prep cans yesterday.

Cheers!

[TTait]

I used blue painters tape which worked fine.

[sdg3205]

Sweet action.

Merci buckets.

[DeloreanJoshQ]

Just an update....
I purchased a few cans of the SEM Landau Black Interior Dye.
I tested out my original glovebox lid (after buying a good used one) by spraying it with the black dye and it turned out great IMO. I don't have an original black interior piece to compare it to, but I like the results....
The Landau black dye gives the piece a slight sheen, which is what I wanted as opposed to a dull finish and it feels a little smoother than the SEM Charcoal that was applied to it prior.

I will be doing a two-tone interior this winter and definately will be using the Landau Black to complete the black pieces.
I'm still not sure on the SEM charcoal as far as how to get the finish on it from being dull and rough...

[sdg3205]

Has anyone else noticed the SEM vinyl prep smells like peanut butter?!

[DeloreanJoshQ]

So after being unable to get the gray to work right(both in color and "feel"), I went with SEM Landau black and did a two-tone set-up and it turned out great in my opinion:


https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/465917_10151375406820696_671145695_23221826_170663 0477_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/415832_10151375413475696_671145695_23221849_791334 142_o.jpg

The new DMCH dash was painted Landau black to match the rest of the black parts as well. I really like it! The seat covers are also DMCH and I love them(only took me 10-11 hours to cover)! They are more of a charcoal than black, but still are a great addition to the interior. I will change the carpet to the late style light gray this fall.

[pezzonovante88]

Ohhh! I freakin' love it! Dream interior. Good job, man!

Ps. I think you should keep the light gray carpets. Its a really clean, nice contrast, plus it'll save you a few bucks.

[Redsquall]

Hey, I would love to see the pictures of the interior – it looks like the pictures don't exist anymore. Could you repost them?


So after being unable to get the gray to work right(both in color and "feel"), I went with SEM Landau black and did a two-tone set-up and it turned out great in my opinion:


https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/465917_10151375406820696_671145695_23221826_170663 0477_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/415832_10151375413475696_671145695_23221849_791334 142_o.jpg

The new DMCH dash was painted Landau black to match the rest of the black parts as well. I really like it! The seat covers are also DMCH and I love them(only took me 10-11 hours to cover)! They are more of a charcoal than black, but still are a great addition to the interior. I will change the carpet to the late style light gray this fall.