Dying/painting vinyl - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

remotemark · #1 04-26-2010, 12:42 PM

I got some NOS C pillar panels for my CE. The panels are grey, so I'm changing the color to palomino. I have tested the means at my disposal on a spare panel. First, I tried the SEM flexible paint in Palomino. It went on very well, smoothed itself, and had a nice feel to it when dry. Unfortunately, that Palomino is somewhat lighter than MB. So I tried Camel Tan and it was spot on.

I also tried, on the same spare piece, Leatherique dye. The dye also smoothed itself out nicely, but it is pretty light. I have put on three coats now, and it is getting darker, but the coverage of the original color is not great. The Leatherique seems better suited to leather than vinyl.

The Camel Tan SEM is very nice. However, on completely drying, it doesn't have an even sheen to it. It seems to be slightly hazy in a few spots.

Anybody have any idea if this haziness is caused by anything in particular, or will it disappear with some Lexol or similar vinyl protectant?

KarTek · #2 04-26-2010, 02:03 PM

Not sure what causes the haziness. I will say I've had excellent results from the 3M vinyl interior paint on the arm rest of the Corvette.

This area really takes alot of abuse from bare arms and such and it has held up perfectly. It sprays on through a gun and the sheen is perfect.

compress ignite · #3 04-27-2010, 05:15 AM

#174 SHOULD be the MB Palomino color.

How old's your MB Tex ?

remotemark · #4 04-27-2010, 03:57 PM

The car is an 88. It's not actually MB Tex upholstery I'm painting, it's the covering on the C Pillar panels which is somewhat thinner than the uphostery version of the vinyl. In texture, it's pretty close to hard plastic.

Chad300tdt · #5 04-27-2010, 04:13 PM

Hey Mark,

When I used the SEM, it went on fine, but the coats need to be even for an even sheen. After mine dried, it looked a bit matte. A light buffing with a dry microfiber cloth brought the shine up to match the interior.

Try lightly buffing it out or you may need to get a good even coat.

The other issue may be that you didn't prep the surface well enough. It's harder to paint the hard plastic stuff versus the MB-Tex.

There is a plastic prep and a vinyl prep solution, did you use the plastic prep?

remotemark · #6 04-27-2010, 04:42 PM

Chad - I used the SEM spray on/wipe off cleaner first. Then I put on two coats of the plastic/vinyl prep spray, which turns the surface really tacky. Then I made sure to spray on the top coat within 30 minutes, as per the directions.

So are you suggesting I try another coat on top of that, making sure it's very even?

Chad300tdt · #7 04-27-2010, 04:48 PM

I also scrubbed the vinyl with a scotchbrite sponge, rinsed everything with water and wiped it completely dry before spraying.

If you feel confident in the prep job you did, then yes, I think another even coat will help.

DieselPaul · #8 04-29-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

Not sure what causes the haziness. I will say I've had excellent results from the 3M vinyl interior paint on the arm rest of the Corvette.

This area really takes alot of abuse from bare arms and such and it has held up perfectly. It sprays on through a gun and the sheen is perfect.

/hijack

Where are you buying the 3M stuff? I need a generic light grey to repaint the dash on the F250 I just bought. The dye is wearing out of it so it has black splotches on it where the die has rubbed off.

Mike D · #9 04-29-2010, 09:16 PM

Ask your local body shop where they buy their paint supplies. Look up auto body paint supplies in the phone book.

compress ignite · #10 04-29-2010, 11:01 PM

SEM "rattle can" #15323 is the Mercedes #174 interior color "Palomino"
SEM "rattle can" #38353 is "PLastic/Leather Prep".
(BUT, The can SAYS,"prepares plastic for painting")

remotemark · #11 04-30-2010, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compress ignite

SEM "rattle can" #15323 is the Mercedes #174 interior color "Palomino"
SEM "rattle can" #38353 is "PLastic/Leather Prep".
(BUT, The can SAYS,"prepares plastic for painting")

I guess my point was that what they call Palomino does not match my car's Palomino. I think theirs may be a Mustang Palomino, not an MB Palomino.

remotemark · #12 05-03-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

Hey Mark,

When I used the SEM, it went on fine, but the coats need to be even for an even sheen. After mine dried, it looked a bit matte. A light buffing with a dry microfiber cloth brought the shine up to match the interior.

Try lightly buffing it out or you may need to get a good even coat.

The other issue may be that you didn't prep the surface well enough. It's harder to paint the hard plastic stuff versus the MB-Tex.

There is a plastic prep and a vinyl prep solution, did you use the plastic prep?

Chad - looks like you were right. I put on careful final coats, and the finish is now nice and even. The sunshine on Saturday also let me 100% confirm that the SEM definition of Palomino and the MB definition of Palomino are not the same. On the other hand, I think the SEM Palomino is much closer to the really faded Palomino MB Tex interior on my 84 300D, but just not on the 124.