I was about to order dye from World Upholstery when I read this:
Classic dye is not formulated to refinish flexible plastics, such as dashes, consoles, kick pads, without a bonding coat. Adhesion to a clean plastic surface after the application of a bonding coat is excellent.
My plan was to coat the console which is a plastic and the adjacent panels which are MBtex and perhaps the dash too, which is some sort of vinyl.
It would seem that I should be getting the Classic Dye, Triclean and "Plastic Bonder"? Is that what others have done?
I checked Parasol in Toronto and they have several products - Leathercote, Varikote, Varibond etc - It is not clear which one should be used. They also have a primer for "hard to coat" plastics. Parasol say their product is intended for spraying - But, I would like to brush it if I could - less waste and required for some in-car parts like the dash. They have spray cans, but require an order for 6 for a non-standard colour which any of our colours is.
Leatherique are always well spoken of, but their web site hardly mentions vinyls & plastics. They have a Toronto outlet, but seem pricy for custom colours.
Probably best to order spray cans from WU, and have them shipped to Watertown NY for pickup. If I order bottles, they can ship to me in Canada but I think they use UPS who are a disaster for cross border shipments.
I intended to order a couple of spray cans plus the Triclean. But maybe I need the primer too?
It would seem that I should be getting the Classic Dye, Triclean and "Plastic Bonder"? Is that what others have done?
Nope, I just got the cleaner and dye. Tonight I installed the carpet piece the new console style pretty much demands and I had to pull it out a couple of times to get it trimmed to the right size. Since the new style console has a recess to hide the edges of the carpet, I used a screwdriver to get under the carpet - my thought was that a scratch wouldn't matter, it'd be covered by the carpet, but there weren't any scratches. Since it's had a few days to cure it seems to be pretty tightly bonded all by itself.
I'd gone out to WU to pick it up and they certainly had the chance to upsell the bonder. They knew I was using it to dye the center console, I even took it out with me to show them the existing color and find out how much dye I needed. They didn't, which tells me they're comfortable with just the cleaner and dye for center consoles.
__________________
The road to perfection takes 364 days to travel. - Digmenow
Nope, I just got the cleaner and dye. Tonight I installed the carpet piece the new console style pretty much demands and I had to pull it out a couple of times to get it trimmed to the right size. Since the new style console has a recess to hide the edges of the carpet, I used a screwdriver to get under the carpet - my thought was that a scratch wouldn't matter, it'd be covered by the carpet, but there weren't any scratches. Since it's had a few days to cure it seems to be pretty tightly bonded all by itself.
I'd gone out to WU to pick it up and they certainly had the chance to upsell the bonder. They knew I was using it to dye the center console, I even took it out with me to show them the existing color and find out how much dye I needed. They didn't, which tells me they're comfortable with just the cleaner and dye for center consoles.
OK Thanks Scott - Maybe I will call them tomorrow before placing order just to be sure.
I found that I had sample colours from XKSS which seems to be same company - I got these in 1990 when I bought new seat covers! Funny thing is that my car has interior code 263 and says it is mahogany, but the samples that match are code 263 which XKSS called Tobacco. The colours on their web site are not the same as either of them!
Graham, they will mix custom colour to OEM code.
I have the US company ship for pickup across the border.
Good Morning!
I realise they will colour match, but my problem is that once again have not left enough time They need a swatch to match to. I can't get it to them in time for them to mix and ship product for me to pick up on May 20th. We are not as close as you are to the border. I already have colour samples from WU that I have had since I bought my new seat covers - Hope they have not changed. If match is not what I want, I guess I will just not install the "new" console until I get it right.
Don't want to beat a dead horse, but what I am saying is you need not send a swatch if you know the MB OEM colour code.
For the record, I have no pecuniary interest in Leatherique.
Don't want to beat a dead horse, but what I am saying is you need not send a swatch if you know the MB OEM colour code.
For the record, I have no pecuniary interest in Leatherique.
Could be, but I had several conversations with them last winter when I was in SC. I wanted them to send me the dye then, but they said they should get the swatch because they don't have 1972 code 263 in their online MB colours. Even then, they said it might be best to just pick something close and then redo everything.
I would have liked to buy their stuff, but I am sure the WU dyes that Scott used will be fine for my purposes. Just about to call them about need for the primer on console.
OK Thanks Scott - Maybe I will call them tomorrow before placing order just to be sure.
I found that I had sample colours from XKSS which seems to be same company - I got these in 1990 when I bought new seat covers! Funny thing is that my car has interior code 263 and says it is mahogany, but the samples that match are code 263 which XKSS called Tobacco. The colours on their web site are not the same as either of them!
I called them about the primer, and they did recommend using it. I said I would be coating a black console similar to the ones they are still selling, so they understood the application. Not to alarm you Scott, but they said that the dye might peel off if the primer was not used.
Regarding the discrepancy in the colours, they said their codes, although similar numbers, are NOT the MB codes. So, my code 263 being called Mahogany by Mercedes and Tobacco by WU, is not altogether surprising. She said I should by mahogany, but my colour swatch that matches my seats and other parts is called tobacco, so that's what I went with. It would be so much easier to just drive over there and talk to them as Scott did!
Should have this stuff later this month. Then will take my time dismantling old unit and maybe trying some of the spray on that first to see what it will look like.
They need a swatch to match to. I can't get it to them in time for them to mix and ship product for me to pick up on May 20th. We are not as close as you are to the border. I already have colour samples from WU that I have had since I bought my new seat covers - Hope they have not changed. If match is not what I want, I guess I will just not install the "new" console until I get it right.
Linear Mode
