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Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:50 am

I searched -- no clear answer. I’d like to paint the headliner, not with a rattle can. Some have posted rolling/brushing paint on, but didn’t that close the perforated holes, or was it a smooth-finish headliner?

Bill

Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:08 am

Just poke the holes open with a toothpick before they dry?

Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:06 am

I can think of better ways to spend my day.

Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:49 pm

mask the interior off, get some SEM vinyl dye and have at it, i have done a dozen or more VW headliners this way they come out like new, but i also pull the glass, makes for a better job. as long as its not torn or wripped it will look brand new!! see this pic here, this one was dyed

Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:19 am

CLASSIC CAR GUY wrote: mask the interior off, get some SEM vinyl dye and have at it, i have done a dozen or more VW headliners this way they come out like new, but i also pull the glass, makes for a better job. as long as its not torn or wripped it will look brand new!! see this pic here, this one was dyed

nice was it sprayed on?

Thu Apr 21, 2011 10:25 am

Ga bug wrote: CLASSIC CAR GUY wrote: mask the interior off, get some SEM vinyl dye and have at it, i have done a dozen or more VW headliners this way they come out like new, but i also pull the glass, makes for a better job. as long as its not torn or wripped it will look brand new!! see this pic here, this one was dyed

nice was it sprayed on?

Yes it was, it was a nice headliner to start with, just had the typical yellowing, but was in excellent shape, i pull the glass to do it, you dont have to, its just makes for less masking off and no tape lines on the rubber. the one thing you have to do is make sure the headliner is clean, clean and CLEAN!! I wipe id done about 3 times with windex to cut any dirt or slicone, then lightly with a soft cloth with laquer thinner but be carefull not to soak it with the thinner, just a light wipe, then spray a few light coats with SEM dye and your good!! one can will do the car easily

Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:00 am

SEM makes the best vinyl-coloring products I've ever used. Good stuff. Spray, don't brush :wink: .

Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:27 am

Dave24 wrote: SEM makes the best vinyl-coloring products I've ever used. Good stuff. Spray, don't brush :wink: .

they make some good products, heres a seat that was done grey

Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:16 pm

anthracitedub wrote: I can think of better ways to spend my day.

You're right, however, here's another thought; if the paint was brushed on, and before it dries, the area was sprayed with canned air (like computer dusting stuff), It might just open the holes w/o disturbing the undried paint. Otherwise, SEM is the way to go. I've used SEM on boat upholstery, worked great, but there was no taping req'd -- just pull the seats, and do it.

Ol' Bill

Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:28 pm

How do seats that are dyed hold up? I like this idea, is cheaper than buying from an upholstery shop and I can get the colors I want (light grey interior).

Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:45 pm

Vinnems wrote: How do seats that are dyed hold up? I like this idea, is cheaper than buying from an upholstery shop and I can get the colors I want (light grey interior).

they hold up awsome, the trick is to dye them enough to get good coverage, but no so much that its thick and it will crack.
The dye is laquer based, so the secret is light wet coats so it "melts" into the vinyl, that is key!! that grey seat was done last yr with no issues,

I had a set of seats in the g/28 Popular Hot Rodding Camaro feature car built in 06' I bought from the magazines Editor Johnny Hunkins last yr, this car had 8000 miles of hard drivng in them and they were perfect!! that SEM stuff is great its all about the prep!!

that whole interior, everything plastic or vinyl was re-dyed with SEM, and that car was a SEMA showcar in 2007, that will give you an idea how good it looked!!!!

Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:04 pm

They wear well!. The local (to me) auto paint store sells both stock SEM colors in spray bombs, but also sell pints and qt.s mixed to match any color i've given them. you can spray it with a comp. and gun, or they will put it into s-bombs for $10 per can. I swear by the stuff. But again... SPRAY, DON'T BRUSH. Though I never tried it, says it can be used to re-color VELOUR and fabric ( :shock: ) interiors as well.

Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:08 am

So it's a dye, not a paint? I can't mask seats to get the two tone look, I assume?

Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:26 am

I consider it closer to a paint than a dye. It is opaque. I really prefer the bulk can over the s-bombs, but it depends, I guess, on how much and what you have to cover. As CCGuy said, prep is all important.

Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:46 pm

Vinnems wrote: So it's a dye, not a paint? I can't mask seats to get the two tone look, I assume?

you can mask seats and two tone them i did boat seats like that yrs ago lasted 2 summers out in the sun every day! in a car it would go alot longer with no issues i think, as for tape make sure the first color has cured a few days and use blue masking or even the purple tape its not as tacky less chance of pulling off base color

Wed Apr 27, 2011 4:13 pm

Did my 65 with same spray dye. Cleaning and masking took most of the time. Turned out good as a new head liner
[/img]http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff508/mdn722/vw2029.jpg

Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:29 am

kimbill wrote: I searched -- no clear answer. I’d like to paint the headliner, not with a rattle can......Bill
Thanks everyone..... I'ill spray SEM, and not brush on! The spray results are matchless........ I was probably not confident about my ability masking off successfully.

Ol' Bill

Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:42 am

Good choice, Bill. Please post pic.s of your results. :D

Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:16 pm

How does SEM work on dark colors? It would save me a ton of money if I could just spray the black rear seats I have, but I'm making a cream colored interior so I'm worried it will come out as a grayish color because of it.

Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:38 pm

I've changed black to off-white (phantom) with it ... no problems.