Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

First off, I'd like to congratulate thode who have changed their interior color successfully. Second, I'd like to change the interior color of my Firebird from smoked-up gray to black. The previous owner smoked like a chimney and now my interior is a brownish-gray with the carpet being even worse. I've been wanting, for some time now, to get the interior out of the chassis and change it's color becuase it looks disgusting. The question here is, what paint do I use and if it's okay to use something like Rit Clothing Dye on the carpet.
I want to, rather than painting the carpet, soak it in Rit to get it to change color, but I don't know that much about what chemicals there are in the carpet for fire retardancy or anything like that and I am not sure if it will hold the Rit.
Also, I've heard that Duplicolor is good stuff for painting the interior trim, but I think I bought that before and managed to get it all scratched up and it's flaking off something terrible, but I put only one thin coat on the paneling in the rear because I only bought one trial can to see how it looked.

BTW, how much carpeting is used to carpet the rear panels? I can get it cheap, seeing as I live two blocks away from a Mr. 2nd's.

kerryismygirl89

You can use Krylon Fusion Paint (in a spray can) to paint the interior pieces. This paint bonds to plastic.

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

How many cans do I need? I got that crap from Kmart, just something to see how it looked, you know? (It's definitely crap)

Also, when I removed the main carpet, I noticed a 2" x 2" rustout in the passenger side rear footwell, and this is in the place where the floorpan is bent up to meet the rocker panel at the edge. I know for a fact that I can see the ground through the cracks in the hole. Would I be better off grinding the hole out completely and welding a patch over the inside and outside of it, or can I get by using body filler and sanding as mush rust off as I can get off?

anubiscougar

speaking of fusion paint, anyone have a pic of what it looks like complete? i've been wondering as to how good the stuff really is... or if it's just like an overcoat, instaed of really, soaking into the plastic...

pix of fusion paint anyone? i just wanna see turnouts.

thechristopherh

i've used a few sprays, and krylon fusion does not LOOK the BEST, but it definately looks good and it is the only one that sticks. maybe i just say it doesnt look the best because i dont like glossy paint and the other paints were flat. just make sure you spray it on in very light coats and it'll come out fine.

i needed 1 and like a 1/4 of a can to do all the plastic from the rear seats back.

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

So, considering I'd have some overspray, I'd need like three or four cans to do the whole interior?

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

I'm not gonna say that dyeing carpet, or painting is a bad idea, but I can't imagine that it looks AS good as new carpet and panels that were originally black. New carpet is only about $250 and about the same for the whole black interior. IrocZdave happens to have 2 black interiors for sale ( I think).

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Guess what: I'M CHEAP! I don't have the money for a completely new OR used interior that is black!

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

Before I happened across a perfect pair of kickpanels, i painted my old ones with Duplicolor vinyl paint. It turned out GREAT.

...but those were kickpanels....I wouldn't use paint everywhere.

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Actually, I liked the paint, but A. It peeled off, and B. I only did the rear quarter panels, the hatch, and the upper hatch trim, so it looked like crap. BUT IT WAS BLACK! I hate gray, especially when half brown due to a CHAIN SMOKER!!!!

BADB0Y

Painting the panels is no big deal, but I don't recommend dying the carpet... I've seen several who have tried it, and it looks mega-ghetto....

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Show me pics, and maybe I'll reconsider it. But I think that soaking the carpet in the dye would be the bast way to color it, seeing as how that's how it's done in the factories....

BADB0Y

I don't have any pics of it because I didn't do it since I had seen how crappy it looks... I was just giving you a heads up... Remember when they dye it in the factory, it is died before construction, and it is virgin material, with no contaminants that will effect the process (dirt, smoke, oils, etc)....

Hey, if you think you can duplicate the factory process with some grocery store dye, more power to ya, but don't say I didn't warn ya...

3.1EyeCandy

iTrader: (3)

back when I changed from carmine red over to black I considered painting as well. I got lucky and some thieves took my stereo. So with the money I had, I did it the right way.

2000 TA Ebony Black seats (mint) $800 from Hawks
2002 Charcoal seatbelts(black OEM) $300 from the dealer
NEW black carpet(front and back) $250 from A1-Auto
Custom Floormats(black with bird) $90 from I think A1
Full black plastic set (except door panels) $200 from Hawks
Custom doorpanel work $300 from a local shop.

Here's what you get with all that $$$$.

3.1EyeCandy

iTrader: (3)

and by the way - I experimented with the dying of seat belts. It didn't work at all for me. By the time they were actually black - they were so stiff you couldn't move them around. Not to mention the bad thoughts of taking a date in a white dress in the car....only to get black paint chips on her dress. Hence the 4th gen belts.

For the doorpanels, clean with alchohol (very thoroughly) and then do multiple coats of vinyl spray (at least on mine). Mine turned out great and only need minor touchups after about 2 years.

Hope that helps some.

HeavyBreathinRS

So far as durability of the Krylon paint...I painted my lug nut covers and the centre caps (yes I masked the center decals...).
I did this figuring being out in the elements, if they were going to flake, sunshine, rain hail and road grit would do it.
So far after 5000 miles, they look just as good as the day I did them.
I'm doing my interior this winter with the Krylon.

biff85ta

Do Not Dye the carpet it will just bleed dye off from now till it turns to some funky off color. I tried it on my car in high school and had horrible results.

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Hey, I figure that I'm probably going to end up getting some new carpet some time in the future, as mine has a lot of mold from the leaking t-tops, so why not try this and see how it goes until I can afford a good set? BTW, anyone out there looking to trade a complete black interior for a gray one?

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Anyone know of any decent cheap split bench seat covers? I found a set of bucket seat covers at my local Advance Auto I might try for the front, and if I like them they are going into the rear lower seats as well. I can only find covers for one-piece bench seats and they are only one color... ugly!