Post by Bilbo on Apr 18, 2024 16:39:01 GMT
So, red interior. Red interiors are not too common, and the couple I've seen pop up since owning the car weren't cheap.
Naturally this annoyed me as I wanted it red now, so I decided I will simply make my own then, bit by bit. Front seats are already done, so I looked into how to make these vinyl/plastic parts red. Dye spray.
I was sceptical at first that it'd just be like spray paint and be awful, but after a user on Retro Rides showed me how his came out (also going from black to red) I was instantly convinced. This is what I bought: www.vinyldye.co.uk/Brillo-Vinyl-Dye
I actually got them from Amazon in the end, but it's that line of products. I was going to go with the TRG ones, but their brightest red offering looked a little too crimson for me. Did you know Brillo made anything other than Brillo Pads? I definitely didn't 😂 Also I went with the "Scarlet" option, as the "Bright Red" was actually not bright red from their colour chart, bit odd I thought.
Anyway, first up was door cards. Easiest trim to remove, so I have started with the rears first. Everything off and wiped clean:
Got a couple of coats on. Nice light coats. Can't go too heavy with it or it doesn't really bond and seep into the vinyl as it is supposed to.
The good thing about it is it's quite different to a regular paint. It doesn't really smother the material, and the leather effect texture is still as present as it was unpainted, to the point that I don't think these really look "painted" at all.
After a couple more coats (4 total I think it was):
This stuff dries super quickly too, it was perfectly fine to be handled after like 1 hour with no imprints or anything. The bottom part of these door cards is carpeted, this spray is no good for carpet material, so I just masked it off, I'll work out what to do with that part. But I actually thought it might tie in alright with the backs of the MR2 seats, which are actually also black/dark grey.
Re-fitted and I quite like it:
I was going for the OE door card look, so the handle and ashtray all red as well. the actual door release and surround remain black, that's how the red OE interior is it seems. However, there is one issue with this:
The bloody window winder. I'm not sure I like it at all. Looked back at OE red interior and the winder is a black item, I think I made a mistake doing it as well 😂 Oh well!
Anyway yeah, I think the bottom being black kind of ties in with the back of the MR2 seats, but I might lighten and dye it red also, we'll see. Front door cards and dash next, and some red foot carpets. Then I'll work something out for the rear bench seat. It looks mismatched and odd right now, but it's still a work in progress.
And yes I know, it's going to look absolutely ridiculous and disgusting, so outrageously garish. But the OE red interior was the same, almost every single part of it was red. It's going to be awful and amazing at the same time and I can't wait.
Also one thing to note, once it has dried this stuff doesn't seem to smell all that much, which is nice what with it being in a car interior.
So, red interior. Red interiors are not too common, and the couple I've seen pop up since owning the car weren't cheap.
Naturally this annoyed me as I wanted it red now, so I decided I will simply make my own then, bit by bit. Front seats are already done, so I looked into how to make these vinyl/plastic parts red. Dye spray.
I was sceptical at first that it'd just be like spray paint and be awful, but after a user on Retro Rides showed me how his came out (also going from black to red) I was instantly convinced. This is what I bought: www.vinyldye.co.uk/Brillo-Vinyl-Dye
I actually got them from Amazon in the end, but it's that line of products. I was going to go with the TRG ones, but their brightest red offering looked a little too crimson for me. Did you know Brillo made anything other than Brillo Pads? I definitely didn't 😂 Also I went with the "Scarlet" option, as the "Bright Red" was actually not bright red from their colour chart, bit odd I thought.
Anyway, first up was door cards. Easiest trim to remove, so I have started with the rears first. Everything off and wiped clean:
Got a couple of coats on. Nice light coats. Can't go too heavy with it or it doesn't really bond and seep into the vinyl as it is supposed to.
The good thing about it is it's quite different to a regular paint. It doesn't really smother the material, and the leather effect texture is still as present as it was unpainted, to the point that I don't think these really look "painted" at all.
After a couple more coats (4 total I think it was):
This stuff dries super quickly too, it was perfectly fine to be handled after like 1 hour with no imprints or anything. The bottom part of these door cards is carpeted, this spray is no good for carpet material, so I just masked it off, I'll work out what to do with that part. But I actually thought it might tie in alright with the backs of the MR2 seats, which are actually also black/dark grey.
Re-fitted and I quite like it:
I was going for the OE door card look, so the handle and ashtray all red as well. the actual door release and surround remain black, that's how the red OE interior is it seems. However, there is one issue with this:
The bloody window winder. I'm not sure I like it at all. Looked back at OE red interior and the winder is a black item, I think I made a mistake doing it as well 😂 Oh well!
Anyway yeah, I think the bottom being black kind of ties in with the back of the MR2 seats, but I might lighten and dye it red also, we'll see. Front door cards and dash next, and some red foot carpets. Then I'll work something out for the rear bench seat. It looks mismatched and odd right now, but it's still a work in progress.
And yes I know, it's going to look absolutely ridiculous and disgusting, so outrageously garish. But the OE red interior was the same, almost every single part of it was red. It's going to be awful and amazing at the same time and I can't wait.
Also one thing to note, once it has dried this stuff doesn't seem to smell all that much, which is nice what with it being in a car interior.
)
le sigh