Hawk312

This is a requested write up on my process for restoring interior plastics and carpet. If everyone thinks it is worthwhile, feel free to make it a sticky.

As some of you know, I am restoring an `86 Trans Am. I am working with a car that came stripped with virtually no interior, and certainly no Carmine Red parts, which is the color I will be going with. Finding parts in Carmine Red is difficult enough, much less in decent condition. For the ones that I have found, 25 years of sun and scratches have taken their toll. I want this car to be like new, so I will need to restore nearly every piece, or pay $100`s/$1000`s for all new pieces if even available. Since I am on a working man`s budget, I am going to do my best to salvage the pieces I can find.

I am starting with a set of carmine panels and rear deck carpet that someone was willing to part with for $25. Here is what I had to start with:




Here is the sail panel and door sills. I will clean these up for an example:

IMG_20110403_145558-1.jpg?t=1303573004

IMG_20110403_145529.jpg?t=1303569765

As you can see, the typical sun fading and scratches from 25 years of use and baking out in the sun.

I`ll start buy using very warm water and liberal amounts of dish detergent. This will clean the parts of their dirt/dust/grime, plus the warm water and the dish detergent will strip any oils from protectants (Armor-All).

IMG_20110417_123952.jpg?t=1303569839

The carpeted areas can also be done this way. Here, I have removed the drivers side carpeted area from the sail panel, but it is not necessary to remove them. For the passenger side, I left the carpet attached to the panel. The carpeted areas are held on from the factory with hot glue, and these can be removed by heating the area from behind the sail panel with a hair dryer and pulling away slowly as the glue becomes gooey. DO NOT use the hair dryer directly on the carpeted face. It will *very easily* melt the carpet away and you will have a bare spot.
Again, the combination of warm water and dish detergent will remove oils, or in my case, black grease stains. I am using a bristle brush and gently scrubbing in a circular motion. I have noticed if you apply too much pressure while scrubbing, it will change the texture and pattern of the carpeting as well as cause fraying:

IMG_20110423_101034.jpg?t=1303569850

If you are following this entire how-to and using the adhesion promoter, this step might not be necessary, but it will help to ensure the dye will have a good surface to adhere to.
I am going to use 1000 grit sandpaper and water with just a little bit of dish detergent to "scuff" up the plastic to allow the dye to really dig into the plastic.

IMG_20110417_124515.jpg?t=1303570552

After drying, if leaving the carpeted areas attached to the panels, the carpeted areas will need to be masked. Yes, this is possible. I am going to try to get under the corners as best I can, but it doesn`t have to be perfect. If you are going to dye the piece back to its original color, chances are that within, say a quarter inch of the edge of the carpeted section, there is little fading or scratching. Painters tape would be ideal here, since it has low adhesion and will release itself pretty easily from the carpet. Unlike something like masking or packing tape which can pull up the carpet from the backing. I am using cheap tape that I found out Ollies for $1, and doesn`t adhere well anyway.

IMG_20110417_123559.jpg?t=1303570432

Hawk312

After masking, the part is ready for the adhesion promoter. If you are using something like Dupli-Color interior dyes, this may be optional. From what I understand, adhesion promoter is part of their formula. I will be using PPG dye, and I will be using Bulldog adhesion promoter, available at Pep Boys or other parts stores. I used this on my 2001 Firehawk as well, and, after applying the dye and allowing it to dry, it is virtually impossible for the dye to be removed, even by aggressively scratching it with a fingernail.

IMG_20110417_124821.jpg?t=1303571142

Here are the parts after a quick shot of the adhesion promoter. After 10 minutes, it will be ready for dye. Light mist coats are used, and I ran the can under warm water for about 10 seconds get a smoother and thinner application:

IMG_20110418_161542-1.jpg?t=1303571148

Again, I am using PPG interior dye, which should be available at your local jobber. I had this mixed to the exact interior color code, available inside your console or door jam depending on the year of your car. They should also have swatches with standard color codes sorted by the year and make of car, which is what I had to do.
Here is what I am using:

IMG_20110413_202300.jpg?t=1303571158

I am going to use several mist coats to cover the plastic with the dye. It might be a good idea to run the can under warm water. This will both thin the dye and add pressure to the can which will make for a smoother application with less chance of runs. The first few coats will be a light mist, and the final coat will be just a little heavier to make sure it has the proper texture.
After applying the dye and removing the mask, this is what we have:

IMG_20110418_162409-1.jpg?t=1303571843

IMG_20110418_162357.jpg?t=1303571925

IMG_20110418_162345.jpg?t=1303571839

Hawk312

Now the interior pieces look like new. And it is very durable. About 5 years ago, I did the same thing to the door panels on my Firehawk. It has been very durable, still looks like new, and I can apply Armor-All just like the rest of the interior without any concerns:

white01hawkint.jpg?t=1303572186


white01hawkint2.jpg?t=1303572227

And, if you are using adhesion promoter, you can even use the cheap Krylon semi-flat sprays at Wal-Mart for pretty decent results. I used this on the center console in the `81 Camaro I restored. The console was originally tan, and the console lid was originally green:

P1001667.jpg?t=1303572301


Hope this helps. Good luck everyone!

GTFiero

good stuff, ive done similar with my caprice and my girlfriends camaro. The most important thing before painting the panels is CLEAN. clean clean clean. Do that and the adhesion promoter and itll last and be plenty durable. Its the people that give one wipedown and spray thick coats on them that are complaining about peeling and chipping a month later. Clean and multiple thin coats- just enough to achieve the color you want.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Hawk.

Scee

Sticky this

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

Indeed this works if you CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN... lol

Just to note.
When i did mine the carpet was already very frayed
so thinking out of the box i used an electric shaver
and gave it a shave. WORKED great.

Firebirda7x

Wow, I was just wondering how I was going to redo my interior. Thanks so much for the writeup!! I was just going to use spray paint if they didn't have an OEM replacement in color haha.

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

lmao never would have thought of that!

JackRs

iTrader: (2)

Outstanding tutorial, you just saved me the money of buying a completely new interior. I'm putting this tutorial in my back pocket for a rainy day.

Hawk312

Thanks everyone. Hopefully I saved some of you $$$. I know I would not hesitate to do the above, even on a "decent" interior. My Firehawk interior wasn`t that bad before dyeing it; I just wanted it to be perfect.

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

Here's another vote to make this a sticky. We have tons of questions every week on this forum that could be answered with this article.

cmnewark

Great write up Hawk. I’ll be putting this to good use in a few months.

jersyboyy

iTrader: (8)

Awsome write up I like I like. Will go back through my interior and do this to top off what I previously already did to freshen up old parts I gathered.

I used duplicolor vinyl and fabric coating on my seats carpet speaker covers and what ever else needed a touch up that wasnt just plastics. Helped a great deal with the look though it needs many coats.

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

great job on cleaning those up. and everyone appreciates a good step-by-step!

MT91Camaro

Thanks for the step by step. Just use more product if your doing a color change?

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Hey Hawk, how you making out with your project here,got anymore picks to show.

Steven6282

Nice guide, think I would like to do this to my interior but where do you get the PPG Interior dye? You said in the guide that you can get it at your local jobber... not sure exactly what that means lol.

You said you had yours mixed, will a place like lowes have this and be able to mix it based purely on the color code in the door jam?

Thanks!

eseibel67

No, you can't get this from a hardware store. Your trim colour will be identified on your SPID sticker which is usually located in the centre console.

You can buy the paint from an auto body paint supplier - every town has one. Check the yellow pages. I got it from a NAPA store.

joekonik

iTrader: (5)

Looks great man! I plan on doing the same to my carmine red interior plastics..what was the color code?

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

I don't want to step on Hawks thread but I got the same paint that Hawk has(Thanks to Hawk)and my interior plastics look brand new.Thanks a lot Hawk for the thread.

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

Would this same procedure apply when painting a different color panel (say painting a black panel to become light saddle beige?) I'm planning on buying a new top panel (the one that goes behind the headliner on the roof) and painting it beige.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

I would imagine that you could,maybe multiple coats.

joekonik

iTrader: (5)

I've seen tutorials on youtube of someone dying a black center console tan, so I'm guessing it can be done. Now that I know this it will be A LOT easier finding interior for my car. Lol also mantaguy..do you remember what the paint code was?

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

The place we ordered from is called BAPS Auto Paints and Supply 717-767-6544 there in York PA.The brand code is 72676,OEM Code72C,Carmine.This paint ain't cheap,it cost $118.00 for 3 cans shipped.But it's a lot cheaper than replacing all the plastics.
Keep us posted!

joekonik

iTrader: (5)

Alright thanks man! I'll try my local paint place and see what they can do..and if I dont get anywhere I'll definitely try that..now all I need are a couple more decent interior pieces..lol

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

I thought that's what the paint was for?

joekonik

iTrader: (5)

Yeah well right now I'm looking for a couple pieces now that aren't cracked in any color really, then I'll just dye it to match the Carmine red like mine. Original Carmine pieces are sooo hard to find lol

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Agree,Very hard to find.

joekonik

iTrader: (5)

Yeah so I think as soon as I figure out what I'm doing my interior should look like brand new...hopefully lol

80schild

iTrader: (5)

That's what I had to do with that long piece that holds up the headliner in the rear, it was impossible to find one in Carmine red. I ended up buying a grey one and painting it with the SEM portola red paint.

Seven_MPG

Subscribed.Thanks for the lesson

55ChevyMan

thanks I learn some thing today where and get the 86 seat material from all want is to redo the bucket seats

joekonik

iTrader: (5)

Ha! That's the exact piece I need, that and a passenger side door sill. What did you do to dye those? Basically the same thing Hawk did?

Hawk312

Guys,
You should be able to dye light gray pieces with this stuff, but it might take 3-4 coats. I would imagine you could dye dark gray or black, but I would think it would take a million coats (I may be exaggerating).

Sticky, anyone?

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Hawk,I did a set of gray front seat belt receivers and it took 2 coats,BAM 1 perfect set of carmine front seat belts.

joekonik

iTrader: (5)

Ha! I'm going to do the same thing as soon as I get mine. It's definitely the way to go!

texascat2

Subscribed! Great step by step!

camarosrock1989

iTrader: (1)

Would love to see some picture's of the finished job, all put together in the car!

Chevy86 IROC-Z

iTrader: (17)

I use my electric shaver to cut off the fuzz from my beanie hats. Whats a beanie hat? this is a beanie hat.

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

My plastic was dry rotted and crumbling. I found some light grey
for cheap and used the SEM black.
Before clean


After clean


After Paint. Not a good pic. Cargo carpet is new black. Plastic carpet
was painted with the SEM as well and shaved with electric razor to get
the fuzz off. Plastic carpet had to be brushed and repainted to get good
covering then brushed again to get it soft 'get the stiffness out'.
Pictures really don't do it justice.


STICKY IT... lol

ssantac

subscribed..and sticky please!

80schild

iTrader: (5)

I think I used about three coats, it covered pretty well with the SEM paint.

My hatch plastics are so pitted that they still don't look perfect, mine doesn't have the carpet on them like the OP's. When you get the headliner trim I recommend fiberglassing the back side of it to strengthen it, those things are very brittle.

aqualordx93

I used a piece of random plastics yesterday to try it out. The paint scratches right off...any idea how to put like a protective coating over it??
I used duplicator adhesion promoter and rustoleum plastic paint.
I also washed the piece with soap and water..any ideas here guys??

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Do exactly what Hawk312 did,I followed his directions and used the same paint as he did and my paint doesn't scratch or come off.I did use the Dupli-Color Adhesion Promoter and it worked well.Maybe you should get the paint from BAPS it is made by GM.and it is for the interior trim.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Cattiebrie90

Just the thread I needed! This'll save me so much money on my restoration project! Any tips on how to restore the shift/gear indicator (the strip to the left of the shifter, with the P, R, N, D, etc...I have no idea what its called :-P) Mine is so faded and scratched up.

henryd3

iTrader: (128)

Here's one of the features in the technical articles section, check it out
https://www.thirdgen.org/shiftindicator

Hawk312

Sticky?

TX T/A

iTrader: (1)

About the Bulldog, do you spray it lightly also? How long does it take to dry? Nice job. I'm going to dye my tan interior the same color and will be using your method to do the job.
Thanks