C4 Change interior color?

[M20JCorvette]

OK, gang. I recently picked up a pretty rough '86 coupe. I have most of the engine problems straightened out and now it's time to work on getting the interior back in shape. It's a red on red non sport seat leather interior. The seat covers and carpets are shot. Since I never liked the red interior, I was thinking of changing the color at the same time. As long as I have to buy seat covers, carpets and paint the plastic and door panels, why not change it to graphite? Any body see any other problems I might run into? Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks

 

[87blackroxi]

just curious. I am looking at changing the interior color on my 87. Do you have pics or links that show what the graphite color looks like?

 

[JonM]

Changing the parts/color for the interior is pretty easy...except for one piece. The carpet on the passenger side bolster. (just above where your knees sit) The to gain access to the bolts that hold the bolster on, you need to be a contortionist. You have to remove the seat, crawl on your back and try to get a wrench on the bolts. Its a b**ch.

ROXI...it looks like this

http://members.tripod.com/jamislow/images/1024_21.JPG

 

[Grizzly]

OK, gang. I recently picked up a pretty rough '86 coupe. I have most of the engine problems straightened out and now it's time to work on getting the interior back in shape. It's a red on red non sport seat leather interior. The seat covers and carpets are shot. Since I never liked the red interior, I was thinking of changing the color at the same time. As long as I have to buy seat covers, carpets and paint the plastic and door panels, why not change it to graphite? Any body see any other problems I might run into? Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks

I'm with you, I really don't like monochrome cars. You might want to look into two tone seats. My 92 has a red interior with some black on the dash and the doors. I'm considering how the flat in the center of seat would look black with the bolsters red or maybe even the reverse

Just make things a little different since it is wide open at this point and several grand down the road is not the time to decide to change.

 

[87blackroxi]

graphite

ah, i see. pretty much grey. i have the same color.

 

[WhalePirot]

Changing the parts/color for the interior is pretty easy...except for one piece. The carpet on the passenger side bolster. The to gain access to the bolts that hold the bolster on, you need to be a contortionist.

Or, you could spray dye it.

 

[tyrel]

I did an interior color change a couple of years ago from red to black. My door panels were still in good shape so I dyed them using the Mid America dye, and two years later they still look like new. I also dyed the console sides. I bought carpet and black seat belts on ebay. I also changed my seats for new seat cushions that were already pre-mounted with new leather seat covers. I saved a lot of money this way. However, if you're doing your seats, make sure you buy quality seat covers. After only a couple of months I had abrasions on my drivers side bolsters, the dye has completely worn through, it looks awful. They are Al Knoch.

 

[M20JCorvette]

I did an interior color change a couple of years ago from red to black. My door panels were still in good shape so I dyed them using the Mid America dye, and two years later they still look like new. I also dyed the console sides. I bought carpet and black seat belts on ebay. I also changed my seats for new seat cushions that were already pre-mounted with new leather seat covers. I saved a lot of money this way. However, if you're doing your seats, make sure you buy quality seat covers. After only a couple of months I had abrasions on my drivers side bolsters, the dye has completely worn through, it looks awful. They are Al Knoch.

I was planning on vinyl covers only to save some bucks. This car will never be much more than a daily driver. Good advice on the covers.

Did you paint the door sills black or red? I'm trying to decide where to make the color change.

John

 

[90SteelBlueCoupe]

If I were you ... I would do what me and my wife were going to do to her 84... do it two tone... black and red seats ... black carpet and black carpet on the door... when I get it done I'll post some pictures...

 

[vettin]

Does anyone know what good carpet dye is and how it looks on the cars?

 

[M20JCorvette]

Does anyone know what good carpet dye is and how it looks on the cars?

I used SEM interior paint. I bought it a local Finishmasters store. They carry it in 2 different finishes, a low gloss and satin. It goes on easy and matches well. Make sure the material to be sprayed is clean. Silicone or Armour-all will kill the finish.

BTW, I just finished putting the interior back together. It came out really nice. I started with a red on red 86 coupe. Removed: carpets, seats, console, under mat (full of mouse turds). After cleaning everything well, installed new under mats with sound and heat proofing from www.autotrim.com then new black E-bay carpets (from Willcox). These include the lower door panel, console side and bolster ppieces cut to fit. Getting the right side bolster piece on was a pain. I finnaly had to install it with the bolster still bolted in. Use 1/4" T-50 staples.

Then I recovered the seats with new covers from Stitchin Products. You can find them on E-bay. I had them make a two tone cover, seat inserts are red and the sides are black. They also embroidered a C4 emblem in each headrest. Very sharp and clean looking. Then painted all the various plastic pieces, console sides, halo trim, etc.

I took a bunch of pictures and am working on putting together a How-To guide. Should be done in a day or so.

John

 

[Mid_America_Motorworks]

Hey Guys,

Check out this link and you can check out some custom colors.

http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=3.52.3972

Cheers,

Michael

 

[Edmond]

Whatever you do, leave the breadbox in there. My personal favorite interior part is the breadbox.

 

[Jeroenvgfn]

I ordered the graphite from Willcox, but the color is so much different then in the car.

the one in the car which is nearly 20 years old looks like a medium gray, like on the picture posted by JonM

only the graphite I got now is really graphite almost black, looks stunning btw

on the drivers side the heel protector is in black with no letters, original it is grey with CORVETTE

I will be starting to replace everything in about a few weeks, I will post some pics too.

good luck

 

[Vette Dawg]

Mid-America Motorworks have cool seat color generators and carpet replacements!

 

[Vette Dawg]

Hey Michael, do you guys sell seats also, or just seat covers?