My 64 Riv has a older custom white naugahyde interior. Is there such a thing as pearlescent dye? Wondering if it's possible to make it pearl white instead of solid white. Conversely, what dye is best for naugahyde, if I wanted to change colors?
Years/decades ago vinyl dye was mixed at the local NAPA store and it was just lacquer paint. I have done a lot of panels with it, seats not so much .
Yep. During my 12 year tenure at NAPA, I mixed it, but not very much. It never really sold well other than to used car dealers. The stuff looked great but only briefly. Lacquer is hard and naugahyde is soft. No matter how much "flexible additive" you put in it, it doesn't take long to crack and peel just climbing in and out of the car. Naugahyde has to be heat dyed with pigments and not paints.
I used Sem dye on the Road Agent when I restored it. The color was rose pearl. It was a factory Pontiac color. I wonder if there is a Sem dye for a late 60's chevelle with a "parchment" interior. Parchment was white with gold pearl. Might be worth inquiring about. I know people that have used Sem with real good long lasting results. Preparation is the key if you want it to stick and last
I was that car dealer, Four days or nights a week at a sale cars scattered in all types of shops getting ready for the next sale !No wonder I am about dead. But it sure was fun !
When I put the interior in my Olds 25 years ago, I needed to paint the plastic bits (seat backs, door inserts, piston covers as it is a rag top). I remember using SEM that came in 3 spray cans, a base white, pearl, and a topcoat. The door panels show some age, but the seat backs still look great. I tried it on the parade boot that had become stained from being tossed in the trunk, it looked good for a season or two, but I ended up replacing it with a new one.
Thanks for all the info. The white interior isn't a deal breaker for me. I was going to repaint the white plastic parts (console, lower dash) with a white pearl, or possibly interference gold over white, so it takes on a gold cast in the sun. Was thinking if there was a paint or dye for the 'hyde i'd go for it too.