Seat Re Colouring.

Spittie · Post by **Spittie** » Fri May 11, 2007 10:25 am

Hello,

The seats on my mx-5 are very faided and require re dyeing

. Can anyone suggest a do-it-youself product that is good for this purpose?
I have tryed all the carpet dyeing copanys, they wont do car seats nor will they give me a sample of the dye to "try"

at home. So no luck there. I know you can buy cans of dye from the USA but i dont really want to go to that expence if i dont have to.

Any help would be fantastic.

Ryan

MatBat · Post by **MatBat** » Fri May 11, 2007 11:53 am

I've seen carpet dye spraycans at some automotive stores but I'm not sure these would be good for a seat, as seats exposed to far more wear. It might be a better option (albiet more expensive in the short term) to get the seats recovered. You could also get them done in a different colour, fabric, and possibly get the seat padding reshaped to suit at the same time. This woud last much longer than recolouring old fabric (assuming it's faded due to UV exposure).

Just a thought!

Post by **simple** » Fri May 11, 2007 12:15 pm

I did a search on the forum for 'dye', and found this page:
http://www.mx5forum.co.nz/viewtopic.php?t=5615

It looks like John/VikingRacing is a member of the forum, so maybe he
will be able to comment on the longevity of his dye.

The forum search wants to be your friend - you should get acquainted

Click on the search button at the top of the mx5forum pages.

Karl.

[Posted via external email]

Post by **zorruno** » Fri May 11, 2007 12:45 pm

on 11/05/2007 10:25 a.m. Spittie wrote:

The seats on my mx-5 are very faided and require re dyeing Sad . Can
anyone suggest a do-it-youself product that is good for this purpose?
I have tryed

on 11/05/2007 11:53 a.m. MatBat wrote:

I've seen carpet dye spraycans at some automotive stores but I'm not
sure these would be good for a seat,

Hi Spittie

I've used one of these carpet dyes before (actually, I probably have
some left if you want it and are in akl)... which had a tendancy to come
off even when dry and leave black all over the place.

Not a good look if it was on a seat and migrated to your partner's new
white trousers...

As with MatBat I'd suggest re-covering is the best option, or there are
often second-hand seats available at a good price from people who have
changed them to aftermarket seats.

If it is your daily driver, you can combine these two options by buying
second hand old/faded seats, getting them recovered, then swapping your
seats out. (You can do covering/headrest speakers/padding
modifications/whatever at the same time). Then sell your old seats to
recover the initial cost.

cheers

MatBat · Post by **MatBat** » Fri May 11, 2007 1:08 pm

zorruno wrote:Not a good look if it was on a seat and migrated to your partner's new
white trousers...

Eek! That's a territory I never want to see!

Would be "goodbye MX5" for me!

@ Spittie, where abouts in NZ are you? I'm going to change my seats for some racing seats soonish so I'll have two stock seats that I'd be willing to sell. They're not brilliant but would be good for a project pair.

I'm in Chch btw.

Shermio · Post by **Shermio** » Fri May 11, 2007 7:14 pm

I know you can get the vinyl dye in spray can forms in Repco in Auckland... But they seem to be a quick fix measure only as some have said... But I have also seen 'clear' coats for the vinyl dyes that will prevent the rubbing off of the dye...

found in the same repco store...

GerryAttrick · Post by **GerryAttrick** » Sat May 12, 2007 9:33 am

On Friday 11 May 2007 19:14, Shermio wrote:

I know you can get the vinyl dye in spray can forms in Repco in Auckland...
But they seem to be a quick fix measure only as some have said... But I
have also seen 'clear' coats for the vinyl dyes that will prevent the
rubbing off of the dye... found in the same repco store...

Can't remember the brand now but I know its available in NZ as I have seen
it - I think its Plasticote, but I used some years ago to spray the brown
vinyl seats on my fizz boat. I used a navy blue and it worked excellently. It
apparently chemically bonds with the vinyl and does not flake off. You do
have to clean the subject well as it obviously won't bond to dirt & grease.

After 3 years when I sold the boat it still looked as good as original and you
could not tell the seats had been sprayed a different colour.

Just my 2c worth - your mileage may vary.

Gerry Attrick

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Sun May 13, 2007 6:36 pm

several people on the U.S site have reported good results with simply removing the seat covers and throwing them in the washing machine and were amazed at the difference in colour...would you wear a t shirt that hadnt been washed in 15 years?????