Kerry Chadderton

Before I purchased it, my 84 sat in a field for 4 years in the same position. So it has this really funny fading pattern to the carpet. The driver's side looks new, but the pass, side and cargo area have faded from dark brown to a pinky-red. The carpet is totally undamaged otherwise and fitment is great. This is an early dash car so, IMO, it is not worth a $600 carpet job. I'd like to dye the carpet if possible. Does anybody have any experience with this? Can it be done?

joejoe

I have used the S E M products on both my '81 928 (chocolate brown) and '84 944 (tan). Both turned out very well. If possible remove the pieces to be sprayed, if not then tape anything not wanting color. A stiff brush is needed to comb the carpet when dye is wet. This gets the dye deeper into to fibers for a more consistant color. The 928 color change from the pink red color to brown, and the 944 from a silver to tan. After it is dry the carpet will feel stiff, but using the brush will take this away. Hope this helps.

Perculator00

I have been thinking to dye the rear quarter panel/side section carpet pieces. Anyone suggest any other places that have good kits that work?

joejoe,

Through where did you get the S E A? Is the dye in a spray bottle?

thanks

Perculator00

Kerry,

Check with www.928leather.com
He does a crap load of interiors and really good quality from what iv heard and read. My nonairbag dash is currently with him for a recover. Not sure if they have dye kits though, but a good place to look/get started perhaps.

luftpirate

Did you have any issues with it flaking off? Can you repeatedly vacuum it without issues?

joejoe

I bought the dye from local auto paint supplier and robstah is right it will smell a bit for awhile.

944CS

I used a water based dye to bring back life to my can-can red carpet - it worked really well - not like new but for the time and effort, I was very happy

http://www.xkss.com/dyes/porsche_vinyl_colors.aspx

odurandina

i've used 3 products to change my grey front carpet to black and keep the new color looking good. all the products i've used flake off. then i put more down and it looks pretty good for a few months. i don't mind doing it but i wish i could find something more permanent.

944CS

The stuff I used is still going strong 3 years later

odurandina

do tell.

944CS

see above link

Kerry Chadderton

Thanks for all the replies. That gives me some options. Although I'm surprised no one mentioned the old standby, RIT fabric dye. They claim that their product dyes carpet. IDK, it was my first thought because my mother would dye chairs, sofas, clothes, etc. using RIT when we were kids. That and the company is like 100 years old.

I might try dying a piece of carpet out of another car just to see. I mean it's like a $4 gamble!

Cra$h

That's exactly what I did when I needed to make the carpets look better for a super low budget "race car" competition. Used a Harbor Freight cheapy spray gun to apply it. I will say, you might want to be a bit careful about it rubbing off on to lighter materials especially if you do the rear hatch, and rear passenger side pieces.

So far I haven't ruined anything that's been in contact, but I was pretty cautious about it for a couple months until I was pretty sure it wasn't going to rub off easily.

For what it's worth, I've also used the SEM products and was extremely impressed. I changed my interior color from tan to red about 5 years ago, and it still looks almost exactly the same. Even the console cover where your arm rests doesn't show any real wear, maybe just a little less shiny.

Good luck!

pkt1213

What about the fabric inserts in the seats? I have the signature seats the the black centers are more of a black/navy blue now. I was hoping I could find something that had an applicator instead of a spray.

Sorry about the hijack.