Dying interior parts?

[Fkyx]

Just wondering the possibilities. I'm considering dying my carpet black, but I'll need a container large enough.

Is there anything I can do about other things like the dash and door panels as far as color changes go?

[Aerotech]

Look for spray-on vinyl paint/dye at local auto parts store. With good prep (thorough degrease, scuff up w/ light sandpaper) it adheres very well, covers completely. I have several parts from my original grey interior painted blick with this stuff, still looks good 5 years later.
I did my carpet with it also, but it faded rapidly. I purchased a new carpet set from these guys http://aaaautocarpet.com/
for the Impreza application, it fits our car well. It's a lot of trimming and cutting holes, but if you don't rush the job, it comes out great. Save the piece you cut out for the shifter/handbrake, you'll need it to make the little ears under the rear seat cushion, the Impreza doesn't have these.

[Fkyx]

Thanks! I'll look into the vinyl paint/dye. The carpet from those guys is a tad out of my budget. Is our carpet soft, or does it keep its shape? If I can roll it up or something, I might be able to find a container that will be a decent size for dying it. Or maybe there's a place in town that could dye it for me.

Is there anything I can do about the trim pieces and the steering column cover, or will the vinyl paint/dye work?

Thanks for the help!

[Aerotech]

The carpet is molded, but it can be rolled up, if you remove the plastic edging strips...just be careful not to rip it. Or, roll it up lengthwise.

The paint should work for just about any plastic surface, but be wary of any high-traffic areas, like where your keychain swings against the cover, or where your arm rides on the door panel. You may need to touch-up those areas more often.

[Fkyx]

Cool. Looks like I'm set for everything but the carpet, then. Hopefully some other guys can chime in on that topic. If nothing else, I'll leave it as it is until I can afford a new black carpet... or maybe I'll find one being parted out.

Thanks bunches.

[Aerotech]

Save your money for the new carpet... it's only like $125, and free shipping. Unless your carpet is in really good shape, just the wrong color. Mine was pretty much shot, and moldy on the bottom to boot.

[Fkyx]

It is in pretty damn good shape thanks to the floor mats that were in it. There are just a few stains I figured I could get rid of while, in the process, ending up with a black carpet. We'll see though. Right now a new carpet isn't in my budget, but I could probably handle it in a few months.

[SILINC3R]

i could give pics of my trim pieces. i painted them red and actually in the process of redoing them with suede as we type so if you want to hold on i can put pics up tonight of the head liner and of the painted pieces that i did a year ago.

1. take trim off
2. clean trim pieces.(soap water)
3. plastic primer
4. color spray(red, black, whatever you want)
5. clear coat for plastic

think i got all this at autozone. homedepot maybe best bet though

[TrueBlue]

Bump -

+1 for the spray dye. I completely redid an interior with the dye, using Windex (or any amnonia-based cleaner) to prep the dash pieces. Came out beautifully, semi-gloss, no "plasticky" sheen like you'll get from spray paint Mine was as durable as Aerotech's, did it in 2002 and it still looks fantastic today.

It will work on carpeting and seat material - however - it will give it a rough finish until it's well-worn in.