How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

[tmh]

I bought a replacement captains chair that has some red sections, by 20 yr old boat has burgundy and grey colors. It's a fairly small section of red on the seat, and not worth a big hassle to make it match better, but how well does the vinyl dye spray work?

The vinyl on the new seat is fairly smooth vinyl whereas my original vinyl has more texture to it, but I think if the colors were closer it would look almost original.

Anyone have some insight on this?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

not very well, and don't wear good clothes sitting on it.

 

[Realgun]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

Ask Mark42 He painted his seats white and I thought he had no issues. I personally have used vinyl dye and it wears pretty good on a computer keyboard.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

Not sure what you mean by dye, but if you mean the spray paint type vinyl color you can get at auto stores, I have used it and it works great. Stays flexible, and as long as you follow the instructions on the prep, you can't scrub it off. I've used it on armrests, trim pieces, sunvisors, etc. some as long as 6 years ago. All items still look great.

The liquid dye that's applied like leather dye (I think that's what's tashasdaddy is referring to) is as good as he says it is...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

thats what is was talking about.

 

[tmh]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

I didn't know which I meant! NOW it looks like the spray type discussedis the way to go - any other opinions on which to buy? Is one brand better than the next? I only need a tiny amount so if one can costs a few $$$ more but works better that's fine.

 

[Zetman]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

Chech out this web site for painting seats I think it would help Zet
http://www.4strokes.com/tech/seat_paint/

 

[Mark42]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

Yes, I used the vinyl dye. More like spray paint for vinyl. Its been a few seasons, and they are holding up well.

They were brown. Now they are white. This photo is from last year. I have an extra can for touch up, but have not had to use it.

 

[Realgun]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

See I told you it works.

 

[Mark42]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

Hey Realgun!

Good to see you posting!

 

[moeMC]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

I have used NAPA brand vinyl die Years ago...actually did die it and not just cover. it would wrinkle up when I sprayed it on pretty heavy coat ...then tighten up when it dried . It out lasted the car , don't know about UV resistance

 

[toejam]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

Aloha:

I own a small marina in Missouri. We have a lot of problems with mold getting into our vinyl seats on pontoons. I have not found a single thing that will get the mold stains out, thus, am looking into dyeing the seats. This will be a large project - probably covering all the seats in pontoons (lots of surface area).

I'm curious if anybody has seen this done, how well the dye covered the mold stains and how long the coloring job lasted? We probably won't be recoloring, just trying to get rid of the mold stains.

Any positive input is appreciated.

 

[Mark42]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

It will be.... expensive.

 

[toejam]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

"It will be.... expensive."

Aye. But, much less expensive than replacing the seating (well into the $ thousands).

Still looking for feedback to my original questions: how well the dye covered the mold stains and how long the coloring job lasted?

 

[Mark42]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

"It will be.... expensive."

how well the dye covered the mold stains and how long the coloring job lasted?

The directions are clear: The vinyl must be clean. I used a stiff bristle brush and dish soap and scrubbed the heck out of the seats. Especially around the piping and any crevices where dirt builds up. And getting the dirt out of the grain was a pain too. So I think you will have to bleach the mold stains to be sure the mold is dead and won't come back. It will be a lot of work to clean the vinyl. Then lots of cans of spray.

My seats have 4 seasons of salt water boating and the dye is still not coming off. Even where they got stains from tree "stuff" dripping on them, a little dilute bleach cleaned them up.

Having done this, I would suggest you spend the time and money on making a set of vinyl covers for what you have in the color you want.

Mark.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

toejam....If you're not doing a color change, it might not take as many cans as you think. The stuff really does work great. I've used it for over 20 years on various things. I actually still have a vinyl golf bag that was changed from green to black in 1985. I used it regularly for at least 10 years, throwing it in pickup beds, car trunks and golf carts. Honestly...not one speck of the paint came off unless I actually tore the vinyl surface. Don't confuse vinyl paint with the Krylon Fusion plastic paint. Fusion works well for what it's intended, but it won't flex like true vinyl paint will.
Mark is right on....it's gotta be CLEAN....but then it will work for you.

 

[toejam]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

Sounds like a couple thumbs up on the vinyl dye solution. I don't think that I can kill the bacteria completely - some uphostery vendors say that the mold can actually grow down in the foam. This makes it impossible to get to unless you tear off the vinyl and spray the foam.

But, if the dye will cover up the mold and make it look good I can deal with periodic touchups.

Now, I wonder if there's somebody out there that has had a bad experience with vinyl dyes?

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

I did a few seats over the summer tried to stay with the original color (grey) and added red down the center. I followed the directions to the "T " and my fist weekend out when the seats got hot and a wet butt sat on them it started to flake off all the seats but one. I will try it again in the spring and try to do a better job at prepping if I can and finish the rest of the boat. I dont care for the vinyl/dye/paint but I cant see throwing $2,500 in new vinyl on a 1988 boat that I will only have for a few more seasons. I just wanna freshin it up.

 

[Jerico]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

Hey Toejam, hi from another Missourian (Springfield here). I changed the color in a car with the spray from a local car paint shop. As stated above, it outlasted the car. The most important thing as has been stated is proper prep. They also had a special prep cleaner. I'll try to get out to my shop tomorrow and get the name off of it.

 

[getinmerry]

Re: How well does dye work on vinyl color change?

Aloha:

I own a small marina in Missouri. We have a lot of problems with mold getting into our vinyl seats on pontoons. I have not found a single thing that will get the mold stains out, thus, am looking into dyeing the seats. This will be a large project - probably covering all the seats in pontoons (lots of surface area).

Before going any farther, try using Westley's Bleche White on the vinyl. The stuff is amazing and cheap. It's been around for years. It was originally marketed as a white-wall cleaner for tires, but when soft vinyl tops became popular on cars they marketed it for that too- now it's back to a tire cleaner again. I buy it at Family Dollar Stores for about $2.00 a quart, but you can also pick it up at most auto parts stores. I use the stuff on everything rubber and vinyl like lawn furniture, cushions, and the boat. GREAT STUFF! Search the internet you'll find tons of car forums that say the same thing.

Chuck