Just a general question....regarding recolouring a faded interior carpet.

High Gear Guy · Veteran Member

Just a general question....regarding recolouring a faded interior carpet.

NOS · Poncho Master!

having sold automotive carpet for many years there is not a carpet dye as such that works successfully. A

good place to purchase the correct molded carpet is NOS Reproductions. You may want to check the web

site first. The Parisienne uses an Impala carpet .

nosreproductions.com or 1-800-667-6200 and ask for terry

thanks; Dale

-- Edited by NOS on Friday 14th of October 2022 02:14:17 PM

-- Edited by NOS on Friday 14th of October 2022 02:15:57 PM

-- Edited by NOS on Friday 14th of October 2022 03:02:27 PM

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I would be worried that a painted carpet would be "crusty", kind of like hair with too much hair spray on it.

Jim, are you not wanting to do a replacement carpet? The ones NOS sells are excellent quality carpets.

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I would certainly try painting it first. If it fails, then look at new.

https://www.duplicolor.com/product/vinyl-and-fabric-coating/

Prefectca · Poncho Master!

Years ago a friend used RIT brand dye normally used for clothing. His carpet was black and it looked like new after the dye job. I dont know how long it lasted though.

Paul

High Gear Guy · Veteran Member

Thanks Paul !

That sure might be worth a try !

Jim, the High Gear Guy

High Gear Guy · Veteran Member

Hey Mark !

Thanks for your speedy reply Bud !

Duplicolor is the product that my NAPA Guy recommended. The stuff is pricey at almost $30.00 per aerosol can. The Dude said that I snipped off a wee bit of the red carpet someplace unnoticeable, like under a seat, that he would spray a bit on a sample piece and see how it comes out. I see in the link you send me that the manufacturer says it won't peel or crack, so I am anxious to try the stuff out on a sample, just to see how it comes out.

Thanks for the heads-up on this Mark !

Jim the HighGearGuy

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I'm of the opinion that "Dye" really means "paint" today. And I've had pretty good luck with painting what is said to be unpaintable.

My 67 carpet although in perfect shape, is kind of starting to look a little light in areas, but I'd never replace it as the old quality is tops imop. If it ever comes down to it, it'll surely get painted.

You sound like you have the perfect test bed for us to see if it'll work. Just a sprucing up with a lower expectation of perfection. The test piece is certainly a good Idea.

I actually have (or had) a older replacement 65-70 Red Carpet in a box somewhere, but I'm unsure if I've given it away. If I find it, you can have it.

Big Bear · Addicted!

If you are gong to try and dye the carpet I recommend SEM. Have used it on door panel carpet and upper material with good success. Ordered it through our local NAPA and was around same price you were coated for Duplacolor. www.66autocolor.com

High Gear Guy · Veteran Member

Dale :

Thanks for the NOS tip !

You Folk's here are always such a great resource for dumb Guys like me !!! Ha ! Ha !

Thanks as always !

Jim, the HighGearGuy

High Gear Guy · Veteran Member

Mark :

Wow ! Thanks for your suggestions.

Thanks for the offer of the carpet too ! If you ever do come across it, I would be very glad to pay for the ride to get it to Lakefield, Ontario. Keep in touch about that please !

It is supposed to rain here again tomorrow, (read: What else is new about that !), but in the next few days if it is nice out, I will take my complete Pontiac carpet down to our local "Robo" car wash and give it a really good shampoo, wash and rinse. Once I get it as squeaky clean as I can get, I will let it dry for a few days and give it a good vacuum with the Shop Vav. I will put a new tarp down on my deck and take some "before and after pictures" for everyone to see.

This test might be great info for others here who have maybe been a bit timid about trying to breathe some new life into their carpets as well. Nothing ventured, nothing gained........right ?

Thanks to all of the Ponch's that have addressed my question. You Folk's are always a great resource for anything Pontiac !!!

Jim the HighGearGuy

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cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

If you decided to not dye it, then I wonder how some kind of final treatment with liquid fabric softener, and letting it sit before the last rinse might help revitalize it? I know the pile gets pretty stiff, flattened and hard with age. I recovered rock hard seatbelt webbing with it.

Just a thought.

LT1Caddy · Poncho Master!

cdnpont wrote:
If you decided to not dye it, then I wonder how some kind of final treatment with liquid fabric softener, and letting it sit before the last rinse might help revitalize it? I know the pile gets pretty stiff, flattened and hard with age. I recovered rock hard seatbelt webbing with it.
Just a thought.

Mark.... are you thinking of "Woolite". It was recommended to me for cleaning rust/dirt off seat belts...

LT1Caddy · Poncho Master!

High Gear Guy wrote:
Mark :
Wow ! Thanks for your suggestions.
Thanks for the offer of the carpet too ! If you ever do come across it, I would be very glad to pay for the ride to get it to Lakefield, Ontario. Keep in touch about that please !
It is supposed to rain here again tomorrow, (read: What else is new about that !), but in the next few days if it is nice out, I will take my complete Pontiac carpet down to our local "Robo" car wash and give it a really good shampoo, wash and rinse. Once I get it as squeaky clean as I can get, I will let it dry for a few days and give it a good vacuum with the Shop Vav. I will put a new tarp down on my deck and take some "before and after pictures" for everyone to see.
This test might be great info for others here who have maybe been a bit timid about trying to breathe some new life into their carpets as well. Nothing ventured, nothing gained........right ?
Thanks to all of the Ponch's that have addressed my question. You Folk's are always a great resource for anything Pontiac !!!
Jim the HighGearGuy
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Before you run to the car wash.... If you are going to remove the carpet from the car, I would try renting a carpet cleaner at Home Depot or someplace. It would work a lot better than the car wash I think...Lay the carpet on the garage floor and try some Heavy duty rug cleaner.... JUst a thought.

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Yes, Woolite is what I used.

One other thing, I'd try to use the least harsh of chemical soaps on it as well.

High Gear Guy · Veteran Member

Thanks for the great tip !

Jim the HighGearGuy

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seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I was just talking to a guy who dyed the faded black carpet in his 72 Chevy pickup truck. He used RIT All Purpose Dye, available at fabric stores, and it looks like Michael's also carries it. He was very happy with the results. By checking Michael's website, it's $7 and comes in 30 colors.

He followed the instructions, and used an old snow brush to brush the dye into the carpet.

horder · Addicted!

I have used Sem Color Coat on carpet but only in a door panel. Its has lasted extremely well but does have a bit of a crsuty feel to it. Ill post a before and after

horder · Addicted!

Same stuff I used on my kick panels, dash pad etc in the car.

https://www.semproducts.com/product/color-coattm-aerosols/aerosols

-- Edited by horder on Saturday 15th of October 2022 06:14:48 PM

High Gear Guy · Veteran Member

Wow Hoarder :

I am definitely in to try this option !!!

Thanks for the heads up on this !!!

Jim the HighGear Guy

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ak 67sd · Poncho Master!

Black might be more forgiving, but I spray dyed the original carpet in my 67 when I restored the car in '89. It wasn't faded, but needed to be freshened up. I dusted it and used a rag to wipe it down so that no paint bunched up. It was a long time ago, pretty sure I was just using the VHT vinyl dye spray can. I liked it so much that I dusted the carpet with the spray at most major car shows to hide any sand etc, so maybe 5-6 times a summer for a few years. No issues. Same thing, light dusting and rubbed it in with a rag. ak

Big Bear · Addicted!

Here is a colour change done with SEM product. IMG_2985 (1).JPG

unruhjonny · Guru

If you use RIT, as suggested earlier, it is a powder that is actually a fabric dye - not a paint on product, so it will not create a crusty feel.
My personal experience is that if you are not going for a colour change, but just trying to breathe new life into an otherwise fine conditioned carpet - this is the best way to go.

I have used a spray bottle, and simply sprayed it on, and allowed to dry.

It will fade again, but if you do it right, this is a non damaging procedure.

High Gear Guy · Veteran Member

Thanks ak !

The previous Guy who owned my '66 Custom Sport convertible used to do a ton of car shows with it. The convertible top hydraulic motor was pooched, and he couldn't find one anywhere, so he just left the top down, with the boot covering it, and watched closely for bad weather.

I think the car got an overabundance of direct sunlight as a result, thus fading the carpet more so than most cars would see.

Jim the HighGearGuy

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