you know the hatch cover on the birds (camaro's too? i dunno) that rolls up and covers the trunk area? is there anything out there that i could paint it with without it cracking when i roll it up? i rarely roll it up but sometimes i might when cleaning or whatever. anyway is there anything i can use? dye of some kind, that wont crack or flake off? must be high temp too i think right? it can get pretty fuggin hot in the car in the summer. reason i ask is mine is purple. i dunno if it was originally black and it faded, or what, but i would like to make it all black. its in good condition, no tears or anything so if i could paint it, it would look good. any recommendations?

 

Yeah, I would like to know too. My camaro's is purple too. I would like it to be black. Or are there new ones they sell in the aftermarket? Did GM make black ones? -89IRO

 

i think it might have originally been black but the UV rays changed its color. because towards the top of mine, more under the hatch, it is still black.

 

Oh really? I will have to check that out on mine tomorrow. Yeah I wonder if someone makes new ones in black so I could just replace it. I sure wouldn't mind spendig a few bucks on that either. -89IRO

 

yeah i wouldnt mind buying a new one, but the thing is this one is in great condition except for the color. if i could dye it back to black it'd look brand new.

 

just get it airbrushed with cool stuff on it like mine.

 

you and or N2O drinking pandas!

Mine came loose a few times so I just took it out and its standing up in my garage. Its faded to purple anyways. If theres a way to easily dye it id like to know.

 

anyone have any tips? i surely cant be the first person to think of painting this right? i think i'll just pop into ragshop and ask one of the people there what they think the best way to paint it is.

 

camaroracer1992,

do u have any problems with that paint peeling off? all it is is spray paint correct? maybe i can just spray mine with black.

 

nah no problems. if you actually look at the cover i had the guy airbrush it only down to where it rolls in when you shut the hatch, but in the sun and all i dont have any problems.

 

i'll give spray paint or dye a try. i dont know where to get dye tho, craft store? will it work on this type of material?

 

Be sure to update us with your findings! I would like to know if it works myself.

 

i have the same problem, i think dye should work, its what material?

 

Yeah Tek, I'd like to know how it goes too. -89IRO

 

i'll let u guys know when i do something. havent had time yet but i think im going to dye it.

 

well bringing this post back from the dead. it has been sitting in my house for months now, never really figured out an easy way to dye it since u need to soak the whole thing. so today i saw it sitting there, and i had a can of semi gloss black spray paint, and went at it. hung the thing on the clothes line and sprayed it. it actually came out very good. time will tell if it holds up tho.

 

Whas it some kind of special spray paint, or just some cheap stuff you get at kragen or autozone? Glad to hear it came out good. -89IRO

 

just some Painter's Touch spraypaint i had left over when i painted my rear hatch trim.

 

I imagine the paint will crack once it sets, I once tried using it on my seat belts ands now they are stiff as hell. I would try searching Ebay, they have them there all the time.

Mine is still black thank g od, I like panda idea but I plan on doing something similar but with the American flag and captain America. Right now I have a banner of the jolly roger (Skull and crossbones)

 

i rarely ever roll that cover up so it will see a lot less "abuse" then seatbelts would. i did very fine coats so i think it *should* hold up fine but time will tell.

 

I wish I would have seen this post earlier to help you guys out. If the hatch cover is vinyl, SEM makes paint for it. I have never used it but I have heard that it works. Here is some links:

http://www.levineautoparts.com/semvinandpla.html

http://www.semproducts.com/

Hope this helps.

Mike

 

that looks like good stuff. are u sure the rear hatch cover is vinyl tho? doesnt feel vinyl to me but i dunno. if the spray paint wears off ill give that stuff a try.

 

Im pretty sure its vinyl or it might be canvas. Did the cover come originally with your car and what year is it? Over on IrocZDave's site he sells them and it says that there where two different versions. They had canvas in the 90-92 years and Vinyl in the 82-90 versions.

Mike

 

i got a 1990 firebird, looks original to me. i guess its the canvas type.

 

That sucks, in that case I don't know what you can do. Hopefully the spray paint will hold up. If it doesnt you could replace the canvas one with a vinyl one.

Mike

 

Has anybody figured out how to restore the color on these 'canvas' roll-up covers?

Vinyl paint?
Spray paint?
Dye?

Somebody has has to find something that works good. Please share.