Interior Dye Advice

[Johnrdking]

Hey folks,

I've found an unfinished project car I plan to buy (a '65 C2) - but I want to change the interior colour from the current black, to the '65 era 'Bright Blue'.
I costed out all the interior trim in 'Bright Blue' from ZIP, and it comes to about £8,800.

But, there are a bunch of YouTube videos claiming you can use Corvette America's period-correct interior dye, to just recolour everything.

Does that work well in practice? (any examples anyone can share?)
And does it still work as intended, when moving from a dark colour (black) to a light colour (bright blue)?

I did try to search the forum for old posts on this, but I'm told 'dye' is too short a word to search for

All wisdom is greatly appreciated!
John

 

[teamzr1]

Some info for dye for leather used in Corvettes

Chevrolet Corvette Leather Dye — Seat Doctors

Chevrolet Corvette Leather Dye Custom blended leather dye matched to your Chevrolet Corvette. Instructions for preparation and application will come enclosed with bottle of dye. This Leather and Vinyl Dye can be rubbed on, applied with paint sponge, or with Preval Airspray gun. Free Shipping to

www.seatdoctors.com

Another one

Home

Best Leather Repair Kit For over 28 Years Because it REALLY DOES Work! ⇒ See Our Full Line of Products For professional quality repairs, choose professional quality products. ⇒

www.leatherrepairkits.com

This is a spray dye for Corvettes of 1953 and newer

1953-2013 Chevrolet Corvette Interior Dye - Aerosol - CA

Shop 1953-2013 Chevrolet Corvette Interior Dye - Aerosol - CA at Top Flight Automotive. From restoration to performance we offer the highest quality parts & accessories for your project.

www.topflightautomotive.com

Seems lots of vendors selling Corvette dyes

Chevrolet Leather-Vinyl Dye Colors

Looking for DIY auto dye? Find Chevrolet leather and vinyl dye colors at Classic Dye Products. Start your DIY auto dye project today. Leather dye kit, dye car seats, automotive seat touch-up dye paint, black leather dye for car seats, auto leather dye color chart, automotive interior plastic paint.

classicleatherdye.com

68-82 Interior Dye - Aerosol

68-82 Interior Dye - Aerosol

www.zip-corvette.com

Ecklers Corvette Interior Dye Spray, Vinyl, 1968-1982

Formulated and mixed to match our leather or vinyl interiors. This new dye normally requires only one coat if primer P/N 49322 is used first. Made to last and

www.ecklers.com

 

[Johnrdking]

Some info for dye for leather used in Corvettes

Chevrolet Corvette Leather Dye — Seat Doctors

Chevrolet Corvette Leather Dye Custom blended leather dye matched to your Chevrolet Corvette. Instructions for preparation and application will come enclosed with bottle of dye. This Leather and Vinyl Dye can be rubbed on, applied with paint sponge, or with Preval Airspray gun. Free Shipping to

www.seatdoctors.com

Another one

Home

Best Leather Repair Kit For over 28 Years Because it REALLY DOES Work! ⇒ See Our Full Line of Products For professional quality repairs, choose professional quality products. ⇒

www.leatherrepairkits.com

This is a spray dye for Corvettes of 1953 and newer

1953-2013 Chevrolet Corvette Interior Dye - Aerosol - CA

Shop 1953-2013 Chevrolet Corvette Interior Dye - Aerosol - CA at Top Flight Automotive. From restoration to performance we offer the highest quality parts & accessories for your project.

www.topflightautomotive.com

Seems lots of vendors selling Corvette dyes

Chevrolet Leather-Vinyl Dye Colors

Looking for DIY auto dye? Find Chevrolet leather and vinyl dye colors at Classic Dye Products. Start your DIY auto dye project today. Leather dye kit, dye car seats, automotive seat touch-up dye paint, black leather dye for car seats, auto leather dye color chart, automotive interior plastic paint.

classicleatherdye.com

68-82 Interior Dye - Aerosol

68-82 Interior Dye - Aerosol

www.zip-corvette.com

Ecklers Corvette Interior Dye Spray, Vinyl, 1968-1982

Formulated and mixed to match our leather or vinyl interiors. This new dye normally requires only one coat if primer P/N 49322 is used first. Made to last and

www.ecklers.com

Thanks for that, certainly no shortage of dye choices!

I guess my real question is:

Is the result good enough?
And is it possible to dye black to blue?

Or is the only option to buy an entirely new interior?

 

[johng]

I refurbished the complete interior of my C3. I got a local paint supplier to scan some of my trim to colour match paint for me (I wasn't changing the colour, but if you are using paint rather than dye then it's not going to be a problem going from black to blue). I sprayed the steering column and all the hard plastic trim. For things that are flexible (the sun visors, the t top inserts, armrests and the rubber centre console cover) I added plasticiser to the paint. This has worked very well, 4 years later there is no sign of the paint cracking. I didn't want to risk this for the seats and door cards, so I replaced them. 4 years ago this cost me about £1200 although I don't know how C2 prices compare to C3.

 

[Nassau65]

I’ve used the corvette America “dye” to re do my seat backs many years ago and was happy with the results. But they were bright blue in the first place. I’ve also used saddle colour on some interior pieces in a 72 mustang convertible and again very pleased.
Prepare them correctly and results are pretty good. Not sure how it would wear on seats or door panels tho.

 

[Nassau65]

Unfortunately corvette interior items are probably the most expensive restoration items out there.

 

[Roscobbc]

My C3 was originally supplied with a black interior - someone in the dim and distant (perhaps before specialists offered '68 specific door cards) replaced the original black door cards with used blue cards, dyed in black. I've owned the car for nearly 25 years, previous UK oner to me 10 years and other that showing the blue base colour where a couple of edges have been abraded they have lasted very well........but it is black on a blue base.......not so sure how well it would last wth blue dye on a black base?

 

[Johnrdking]

All very helpful, thank you - cheers folks!

A full C2 carpet kit, and new seats in 'bright blue' isn't so bad a price to pay if I can dye/paint the rest. But as you say @Roscobbc, it's hard to say how well the blue would cover the black...

The most expensive bits appear to be the dash pads at ~$700 each, and the authentic seat belts ain't cheap either.

Does anyone here have a 'go to' supplier for interior trim?

 

[Johnrdking]

I refurbished the complete interior of my C3. I got a local paint supplier to scan some of my trim to colour match paint for me (I wasn't changing the colour, but if you are using paint rather than dye then it's not going to be a problem going from black to blue). I sprayed the steering column and all the hard plastic trim. For things that are flexible (the sun visors, the t top inserts, armrests and the rubber centre console cover) I added plasticiser to the paint. This has worked very well, 4 years later there is no sign of the paint cracking. I didn't want to risk this for the seats and door cards, so I replaced them. 4 years ago this cost me about £1200 although I don't know how C2 prices compare to C3.
View attachment 25724

That's a grand interior you've got there!

Do you remember what the brand/name of the plasticiser was?

If I can save myself ~$800 per door card by painting, rather than replacing, that'd be nice!

 

[Nassau65]

All the major Corvette parts suppliers offer interior kits. I’ve used Corvette central when I restored my 1960 and was pleased with the quality. Also used Al Knoch they are probably the best.

 

[johng]

That's a grand interior you've got there!

Do you remember what the brand/name of the plasticiser was?

If I can save myself ~$800 per door card by painting, rather than replacing, that'd be nice!

I might still have it in the garage, I'll have a look tomorrow.

 

[johng]

Found it and also the plastic adhesion promoter that I used.

 

[Johnrdking]

Found it and also the plastic adhesion promoter that I used.

View attachment 25737

Whey! Amazing, thanks for that. I might test it somewhere inconspicuous first...

Cheers

 

[Nassau65]

The problem with mixing new with dyed bits will be the colour match. Not a problem with the carpet, but on say dash pads against door panels against seats, there will probably be a colour difference.
Won’t be too bad, as it will look the same as ageing over the years. Although coupes hold their interior colour better than convertibles.

 

[Johnrdking]

The problem with mixing new with dyed bits will be the colour match. Not a problem with the carpet, but on say dash pads against door panels against seats, there will probably be a colour difference.
Won’t be too bad, as it will look the same as ageing over the years. Although coupes hold their interior colour better than convertibles.

That's a fair shout.
Part of me is wondering whether it'd be better to spend an extra £10k on a example that already has my preferred interior colour and wheel options... *sigh*

 

[Nassau65]

That's a fair shout.
Part of me is wondering whether it'd be better to spend an extra £10k on a example that already has my preferred interior colour and wheel options... *sigh*

The wheel option should not be a major problem. Reproduction Knock off’s are readily available from all the major US corvette parts suppliers in both original “knock off” and new direct bolt fitment.
If you go the complete new interior route it will look great once installed, but could possibly show the older paintwork exterior up, so then your into a repaint, which in turn shows up the older brightwork.
I know from experience.
Probably a compromise might be needed on the interior colour if you’re set on a Nassau Blue exterior.

 

[Nassau65]

For a good many years I’ve thought about changing my bright blue interior to white, as it’s not too involved. Mainly seats and door panels. The expensive dash pads would remain bright blue. I would also change my black soft top to a white one.
It’s always been next year with me and it’s never happened. I’ll get round to it when I retire I suppose.

 

[Roscobbc]

For a good many years I’ve thought about changing my bright blue interior to white, as it’s not too involved. Mainly seats and door panels. The expensive dash pads would remain bright blue. I would also change my black soft top to a white one.
It’s always been next year with me and it’s never happened. I’ll get round to it when I retire I suppose.

Don't do it.........ever!

 

[Johnrdking]

The wheel option should not be a major problem. Reproduction Knock off’s are readily available from all the major US corvette parts suppliers in both original “knock off” and new direct bolt fitment.
If you go the complete new interior route it will look great once installed, but could possibly show the older paintwork exterior up, so then your into a repaint, which in turn shows up the older brightwork.
I know from experience.
Probably a compromise might be needed on the interior colour if you’re set on a Nassau Blue exterior.

That's fair.
I saw a repro set of bolt-on knock offs with tyres for ~$3-4k from Zip, but I can imagine shipping costs hike that up a bit. Heck, the authentic looking setbelts are ~$400. I've seen my 'ideal' '65 model come up twice for circa £65k, so my thinking behind picking up an unfinished project on the cheap, means I've got £25k 'spare' to 'make it right' - albeit over many years.

But maybe that's a false economy?

 

[Johnrdking]

For a good many years I’ve thought about changing my bright blue interior to white, as it’s not too involved. Mainly seats and door panels. The expensive dash pads would remain bright blue. I would also change my black soft top to a white one.
It’s always been next year with me and it’s never happened. I’ll get round to it when I retire I suppose.

Do you want to sell me the blue bits that'll work in a coupe? Save me the shipping cost?