Author Topic: Dye for MB Tex ? (Read 17870 times)

Alex D · « **on:** November 30, 2016, 22:16:48 »

My interior is in good condition, MB Tex 112, turquoise, not bad enough to replace, I'm considering freshening up with dye.

I have read all the posts about how Leatherique and Color Plus dyes work great on leather. However I can't find a clear answer on how it works on MB tex, and any long term results, 10+ years or more by having MB tex dyed. Has anybody tried dying MB tex and what are the long term results? Some vendors claim their dye products will work on vinyl, but I would like to know if anyone has actually dyed MB tex and the results.

Please let's keep the discussion focused on MB tex, and not bring leather into this discussion.

Thank You

Cees Klumper · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2016, 23:27:02 »

Interesting that you bring up leather. My experience with dying leather is
Just kidding. I don't recall conversations about this before, so will be watching with interest. That said, my original dark blue MB tex interior needs to be replaced, but not because the color or surface needs refreshing, but because it has spontaneously developed major long tears in the passenger seat cover, I reckon due to old age. It's a shame because I would have liked to have kept that original interior, but it seems irrepairable to me, and is continuing to tear open.

stickandrudderman · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2016, 18:34:08 »

You can buy paint especially for vinyl.

Shvegel · « **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2016, 02:52:51 »

Cees,
I may have an original dark blue cover of the proper vintage that you can have. Let me look. I will PM you tomorrow.

Peter h · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2016, 04:24:21 »

I try this one.
Peter

Shvegel · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2016, 14:00:39 »

Cees,
Near perfect. Some of the edge stuffing on the bottom has broken down. From a 1970 with headrests.

Cees Klumper · « **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2016, 16:02:10 »

They look great, PM back to you Pat,

Thanks, Cees

mdsalemi · « **Reply #7 on:** December 08, 2016, 21:26:13 »

http://www.eastwood.com/paints/interior-dyes.html
http://www.classicdyeproducts.com/mercedes_benz_58-01

Alex, as you know nothing appears to be easy with your unique color...you may need to do some kind of custom job so you'll probably need to investigate further.

Alex D · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2017, 00:50:28 »

Just trying to revive an old thread here.

So nobody has any long term (10+) years results as to how dyes hold up on MB Tex? If you do have any long term results from dying MB Tex, under what type of environmental conditions? Please let's stick MB Tex and not bring leather dying into this discussion.

Thanks,
Alex

BaronYoungman · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2017, 02:25:37 »

All of my experience that has been long term has been with the leather dye from Joann at color plus but I did use it on some vinyl on a Corvette and after two years it still looked good but I sold the car shortly thereafter. Because the vinyl is not porous it is much more difficult to get a good-looking finish that won't just bridge on top of the vinyl and eventually peel off call me if you would like more informationOr better call Joanne at color plus I'm sure she's got long-term customers that have used it on vinyl and how best to apply it.

dpreston Virginia · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2017, 13:16:12 »

I used Leatherique on my MB TEX door panels about 5 years ago and it still looks good. With proper prep and application it should hold up.
Recently did part of my dash which I posted a few weeks back.
It is amazing stuff and so easy to use.

Alex D · « **Reply #11 on:** March 25, 2017, 16:14:44 »

When I l talked to Leatherique a few weeks ago, she was adamant about only using it on leather and they had no information on how it would work on vinyl. Seems like DPreston has had some good results so far with Lestherique on MB tex.

I've been talking to someone who dyed vinyl for 20 years, used SMS and over the past 5 years switched to Viper Products out of Florida. Has anybody heard of or ever used Viper Products dye?

Jordan · « **Reply #12 on:** March 25, 2017, 16:47:38 »

The leatherique web site says "This dye will also provide outstanding results on vinyl." I haven't yet tried it but was going to order some black for another car (also vinyl).

bogeyman · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2017, 18:02:23 »

I used Leatherique on my 350SL with Tex a couple years ago. So far it looks great, but it isn't a daily driver.

Shvegel · « **Reply #14 on:** March 26, 2017, 00:15:51 »

Most paint supply houses can mix a Vinyl dye for you. Just about anything solvent based will stick to vinyl and stick well because the vinyl is solvent based as well so the dye melts into the vinyl. For that matter I have dyed seats with spray cans of regular color spray paint without issue. I have never seen dye peel from vinyl anywhere. However Vinyl that is dyed looks like i has been painted. Somehow the surface is just flatter or shallow compared to undyed product. For what it's worth maybe just cleaning your seats with alcohol or acetone might spruce them up. If you use acetone try it somewhere that you won't see first as you will be essentially melting the vinyl a slight bit and you want to be sure the final product looks OK.

perry113 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 28, 2017, 00:30:41 »

I redyed my MB text surfaces nearly 15 years ago with a SEM packaged product and it has held the test of time. The color has to be applied using a paint gun.
I would think any professional autobody supply place in your area can guide you to a good professional product.
I like that your interior is green as well.
Let us know how you make out.
Best.
Peter

Francis Abate · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2021, 02:46:01 »

Hey, I noticed the staining along the top of your old door panel - similar to what I have in a customer car I am restoring. Any idea what causes that, in that particular spot?

Also, if anyone has any updates on dye for MB Tex I'd be interested. I have contacted Leatherique and have used them in the past - they seem to be slow in responding these days so perhaps they are only a part time business now. In any case I'm exploring options and will follow some of the guidance already shared here, thanks.

bogeyman · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2021, 11:29:55 »

I've heard good results from Colorbond - no personal experience though.

https://www.colorbondpaint.com

DavidAPease · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2021, 20:45:31 »

I just finished redyeing my interior with products from Leather Magic. I didn't find vinyl dyeing kits listed on their web site (https://www.leathermagic.com), but I called and they do have such products.

I sent them a color sample and a photo of the project, and they made up a kit with vinyl cleaner, vinyl prep, dye (paint), vinyl conditioner, paint sponges, and a simple sprayer system called a Preval sprayer that I could use at home. The company was very accommodating and easy to deal with. I was quite happy with the results. (In the photo below, the seats, doors, and dash have all been re-dyed by me using their proucts.)

-David

P.S. IMHO, not a project for the faint of heart.

neelyrc · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2021, 04:32:45 »

Outstanding job, David. Looks great!

lowpad · « **Reply #20 on:** February 14, 2021, 16:13:49 »

Peter,

Looks like a German product -- where can you buy it?

Thanks,

Lowell

Rahul · « **Reply #21 on:** February 14, 2021, 16:14:47 »

Looks really good David! Would you be able to estimate how long it took to do the job?

Also intrigued by that little box/tray you have mounted just above the gear selector

DavidAPease · « **Reply #22 on:** February 14, 2021, 21:11:12 »

Hi, Rajiggy,

I spent pretty much every afternoon for about 2-1/2 weeks on the redyeing project. (It helps to be retired!) I dismantled the seats, doors, glove box, lower dash, windshield surround, and rear trim panels, but not the upper dash/binnacle area; that area I masked and dyed in place.

In 2005 (when I drove my car from the SF Bay Area to PUB in Columbus), I was in touch with a 113 group member named Richard Vezeau in Quebec, who was building these trays as accessories for Pagodas. He had different woods and finishes, and versions for A/C and non-A/C cars. He sent me a selection of them to take to PUB; I think I may have sold several of them for him there, and this one I kept for myself. I never heard any more about these after that year.

-David

Rahul · « **Reply #23 on:** February 15, 2021, 14:45:32 »

Thanks for that David, imagine it felt very rewarding after those few weeks!

Francis Abate · « **Reply #24 on:** February 22, 2021, 20:37:15 »

Now that I am inquiring about an interior dye, I've noticed that suppliers are using different number codes than the factory, though I have not figured out why, yet. In trying to match my customer's 280SL interior, code 132 red MBTex, I see what appears to be that color at the Leather Magic site as possibly MB242 Maroon. I spoke with GAHH as well and since they do not offer a dye, I was directed to look at their kits which they can correlate to a product color they have off the shelf, but also use a different numbering scheme.

Short of a solid answer, I will send in a sample swatch to make sure I'm receiving the correct dye color. Seems like Leather Magic has been the most thorough and responsive to me, FYI.

I am interested in what you all might know about the logic, or lack thereof behind this information. Thanks for all the insights thus far!

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Author Topic: Dye for MB Tex ? (Read 17870 times)