Re-Coloring Blue Seats

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Shadoobie
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Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 10:07 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Pininfarina Spider 2000

Re-Coloring Blue Seats

Postby Shadoobie » Thu Jun 29, 2017 8:23 pm

I have a blue interior that I've replaced most of the panels in and everything looks great but the seats. While they don't have any wear, the gorgeous baby blue has faded considerably over time. It becomes even more obvious when paired with the vibrantly colored interior panels. Does anyone know where I can get a dye of that color or of any spray can paint to match it?

Frog2Spider
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Your car is a: 1981 2000 Spider
Location: Vancouver, Washington

Re: Re-Coloring Blue Seats

Postby Frog2Spider » Sat Jul 01, 2017 11:26 am

Unfortunately not Shadoobie.
SIMM Vinyl Dye is the best, but not to be used on a 'wearing' surface, like a car seat. Best to buy some seat covers and save for new upholstery.
Always looking for curves under blue skies!
Frog2Spider

'81 - 2000 Spider

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RRoller123
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Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Re-Coloring Blue Seats

Postby RRoller123 » Sun Jul 02, 2017 8:40 am

I dyed my entire interior but have never done the seats (i.e. a wear surface like a seat) with dye, but Edd China did one on Wheeler Dealers on a Bentley and it was amazing how well it turned out. Did not seem to be a difficult process, and there was dye available specifically for seats. The Bentley was leather, that may make a difference, possibly no suitable product for vinyl? :?:
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
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johndemar
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Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:12 am
Your car is a: 1976 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Phoenix

Re: Re-Coloring Blue Seats

Postby johndemar » Sun Jul 02, 2017 9:08 am

I think I had pretty good success changing the color of my seats. I went from tan to black when I painted the car about 6 years ago. Used SEM landau black and took my time doing it. Took the seats apart and cleaned them well. Used the prep spray first then applied multiple light coats.

It's held up pretty well and I often wear light colored, long sleeve, cotton shirts to protect my old skin, and haven't noticed any transfer. But I agree that any kind of dye, paint, will wear some. Just take your time and do it right, and I think you'll be happy with it.

SEM has lots of colors, so hopefully something will come close enough for you.
76 Fiat 124 Spider
One owner since July 20, 1976
Amadio Motor, Jeannette, PA

Shadoobie
Posts: 113
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 10:07 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Pininfarina Spider 2000

Re: Re-Coloring Blue Seats

Postby Shadoobie » Fri Jul 07, 2017 12:29 am

On John's advice, I did some digging through the SEM vinyl paint codes and I found one I think might just do the trick: wedgewood blue 15133. I'm going to try a can on my old panels and see if it matches up. I'll post back the results.

Observer
Posts: 39
Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:04 am
Your car is a: 81Spider Pininfarina
Location: Canada

Re: Re-Coloring Blue Seats

Postby Observer » Wed Jul 19, 2017 4:12 pm

I used Dupli-Color High Performance Vinyl Paint for my seats and interior and it works great so far

rridge
Posts: 161
Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:59 am
Your car is a: 1981 Turbo Spider

Re: Re-Coloring Blue Seats

Postby rridge » Sat Jul 22, 2017 11:50 am

I think SEM wedgewood blue is as close as you are going to get premixed in a can. Most auto paint stores sell vinyl upholstery paint and can put it in an aerosol can. They can also match the color exactly. I've had mine scanned in the past and it matches a formula for blue that was used on the exterior of Volvo 240's in the mid-1980's. That pigment formula is already in many paint center data bases.

The original blue vinyl is very high quality but blue pigment is unstable and can be turned grey by both sun and petroleum solvents. Blue interiors have been out of fashion for some time yet many Spider 2000's came with them. From time to time used blue interiors that are still in good condition become available.


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