12 replies to this topic

[BenSwan]

Hi all,
 
Got this interior in my project and thinking of the most cost effective way of renewing it. I was considering removing all the covers from the seats and doorcards and then dyeing them.
 
Has this ever been attempted before?
What type of fabric are they made from?
 
I've found the normal Dylon Washing Machine Fabric Dye and theres a Rit Dye More Synthetic for Polyester, etc.
 
Maybe being 40 year old they could well fall apart though.

 

Whats everyones thoughts?

[DeadSquare]

I'd buy seat covers, but interesting idea.

 

Have you thought what might happen if the dye is not coourfast and comes out if you sweat ?

 

In case that happens, may I suggest that you either also dye your clothes the same colour, or drive naked.

[Ethel]

Machine sewing isn't as difficult as you might think, the piping makes a pretty good guide, but it's slow as you'll have to go by hand to hit the original needle holes. Even so, these may be competitive if you need fabric for the backs etc as well.

 

I'd guess they're sewn abroad for that price, but you can always ask if you want velour as original.

[BenSwan]

Ha! Thats one option @DeadSquare, though I'd make sure it all goes through a few normal washing cycles after to be sure nothing runs.

I wouldn't know where to start with machine sewing @Ethel. Would be great to make your own from scratch though!

Most likely I'll end up buying new but may give this a go just to see how it turns out. For the price of dye it's worth a test I guess.

Any idea what type fabric it is? Or any way I can find out?

[68+86auto]

It's Velour. If you don't reupholster them they will very likely fall apart soon.

Edited by 68+86auto, 19 January 2025 - 08:10 AM.

[Ethel]

<p>I've a hunch they're nylon, but if they're not they'll be polyester &amp; you'll find a dye that does both. Synthetics are difficult to dye, if they're not clean &amp; evenly coloured it'll likely show through the dye. If you get that far, go for a shade darker than you want.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>There's also loads of covers on AliExpress, if you can figure out what can be made to fit from a newer model. Perhaps a micro van, like A Suzuki Super Carry? Lots of stuff like that out East, so there'll be a good market.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>As for the door cards, there are pre quilted fabrics. You could also chop &amp; rejoin horizontally, with a moulding, to break up the expanse.</p>

[BenSwan]

I just ordered some dylon dye in intense black. I went for the hand wash version, thinking it would be less stressful on the material. Plus I don't have to use the dye in my washing machine. I'll make a test by cutting off some fabric from behind the door cards and will try to find some off the seats too. Be interesting to see if it takes. Will report back the findings.

[Bobbins]

At a commercial level different chemicals are needed to dye Nylon and polyester, acid dyes for Nylon, disperse dyes for polyester, and very different temperatures. Any dye that will do both is fundamentally just a wash in colour, I wouldn’t have any high expectations regarding rub and light fastness which are important in automotive fabrics.

Velour can be a variety of different fibres types, it’s actually describes a type of knitted fabric, but I suspect it’s commonly acrylic and can be dyed with a variety of dye methods but the conditions still need to be right, temperature etc.

Years ago I re-covered the seats in my first Mini with some fabric from the local market and using a domestic sewing machine. With the internet now there’s much better availability of fabrics, heavy threads etc.

Give it a go, what have you got to lose!

[BenSwan]

So just gave this a go and can confirm it didn't take.

Took come test cuts:



Gave them a clean using sensitive dish soap then followed the dylon instructions.

Dylon Hand Dye Intense Black - https://www.dylon.co...ense-black.html

 

Result:



Zero take.

I was considering giving Rit Dyemore for synthetics a go next. https://www.ritdye.c...nthetic-fibers/
 

As a general guideline, one bottle of Rit DyeMore will dye up to two pounds of dry fabric. If dyeing 100% polyester or trying to achieve a very bolder color, double the dye quantity.

https://www.ritdye.c...nthetic-fibers/

 

Without stripping the covers off yet though I'm not sure how many bottles would be required for the complete job. Could end up costly.

 

Whats the best guess weight of the covers of 1 complete seat be?

 

Think Rit Dyemore has a chance? or na

Edited by BenSwan, 22 January 2025 - 02:53 PM.

[Bobbins]

Have you worked out what the fibre is? Nylon, polyester, acrylic etc? It’s very relevant to dye take-up.

[BenSwan]

Just looked at the burn test to determine the fabric from: https://byhandlondon...-mystery-fabric

This is how it burned:



And it definitely wanted to burn and melt, so going by this:



I'd put it as Acrylic? there was no ash from the little I burnt.

Edited by BenSwan, 23 January 2025 - 08:43 AM.

[Ethel]

It seems polyester melts at a fair bit higher temperature than acrylic. You might manage to do a test with a domestic iron. Especially if you can find something with an identifying label to use as a control sample. 

[BenSwan]

Over weekend I gave idye poly black a go.
 
It worked:

(speckles are dust/sawdust from the garage)

 

Though the process of using the idye wasn't much fun. I ruined a saucepan not knowing what happens   . 

Think I'll abandon this idea and just go with giving them a good clean, likely putting them through the washing machine in the summer when we got the weather to dry them on the line. If they dont come up well then I'll look to buy new.