I just started on my 82 today. I'm doing the interior first. Most of my interior only has a few cracks and some screws missing. But these parts are old and faded. I am wondering if I repaint these pieces if the integrity of the plastic will hold up? I can't scratch lines in them with my nails. I have no problem repairing the cracks from the inside but what about the normal wear and tear scratches? Do I sand those and paint over? I think it would look tacky to have some smooth spots on the faux leather grain.

I want to strip the interior down and repaint with rattle cans. What brand should I use that doesn't leave behind a permanent smell and should I clear coat being as the paint is just a preventative measure?

Where can I find a new dash pad? Mine is roached. Would it even be feasible to try to sell the rat tinkle covered roached Recaro seats?

I am a woman and I am new to this, though I'm not stupid to cars at all, and if I take it off I'll figure out how it works before I put it back on. IDK techical terms but I'll learn willingly. So please bear with me.

 

hello. for the paint you could try SEM trim paint. not really a paint but more like a dye.
the dash pads are pretty expensive. ill be taking mine in tomorrow to an upholstery shop to see if I can get it wrapped in leather.
http://www.hawksmotorsports.com/dash...2-92-dash-pad/

the recaro seats you could restore them or just sell them off. id like to personally get a set of those one day.

 

Thanks Cheerio! I have heard of the SEM. I'll look it up. Let me know what the upholstery shop says about your dash please. I've seen them on ebay in better condition than mine for a couple hundred bucks. I wonder if the custom dash pad covers are any good. There's no covering mine considering the edges of the cracks are turned up.

I'll probably sell my seats but I won't expect much for them, maybe trade for parts.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply. ETA: THANK YOU FOR THAT LINK!!! I have looked for days for reproduction dashes with no luck!

 

Classic Industries sells repro dash pads too (same price).Someone here posted on the product review board.The slip on covers make them look thick IMO.Not too difficult to recover them, i did mine in leather a while back.
http://www.classicindustries.com/pro...9.html#reviews

Krylon sells plastic specific paint, i believe Fusion is the product line.Id keep the coats thin & no more than 2-3 to aviod a too thick layer, but eventually they do flake/delaminate.Especially high contact areas.I wouldnt clear coat.Swapping plastic is an option.

Those Recaro seats are very desirable, even if tattered they're worth money or restoring.Id love a set as well.

 

if you would like to repair the dash yourself you should check this out. probably one of the best repaired/ restored dash pad I have seen.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...l#&gid=1&pid=4

and if you would also like to recover those seats heres a link to get an idea:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...g-recaros.html

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...ic-carpet.html

 

Thank you everyone for the help. I'll be going with the bulldog, SEM, and more than likely I'll part out the seats. They are really bad off. Currently, the drivers side seat nuts are rusted to the bolts (fun fun) I have them drenched in Knock-er-loose and considering one nut is almost stripped, I'm really looking forward to feeling it break free (ahhh gratification).

Thanks again for the advice and the links.

 

If the parts are faded they are toast. I had this issue with my 82 and had to find replacement panels. Are you restoring a Recaro? Post up some pics of the interior.

 

OK 82tarecaro. They are not nice by any means. The seats will be parted out and sold and the money from that will go towards a set of new seats. I'm not sticking to all original on this car, I'm making it mine and my original. The interior is roached after 5 years of mice, snakes, and squirrels. I have the center console in the tub soaking right now. Let me go find some pics.

 

Here is what I'm working with. It's pretty much going to be a complete over haul on a budget.

 

My project for the next few days.

 

Ouch that poor interior definitely needs some love all over. I am glad mine is not in that bad of shape...mine mostly just needs to be put back together.

 

BUT on the bright side, I can put it back together exactly how I want. I can make sure the underlying metal is repainted and sound. I can do all the work myself and be completely proud of myself knowing without a doubt that it's done right. And the best part... nobody can flame me for NOT keeping it original LOL.

 

Nothing wrong with that. I am not the keep it original type personally anyway. I say have fun with it. That's what me and my kids are gonna do with my newly acquired 91 is just have fun with it. It won't be a show car, race car, or all stock collector car it will just be our fun toy. Done the way we want.