[bcolins]

I have a couple of different shades of faded carpet in my 83 380SL. Its a Palomino interior and I just recovered the seats, so want to freshen the carpet. I have SEM brand "Color Coat" in Camel and just a couple spritzes of the Palomino color. The Palomino seems a bit too orangey, and the Camel color was a bit too brown.

The camel color actually started out looking good when I just dusted it,....but, the color was irregular,....so additional coats were needed to even it out,.....and then,......it became too dark.

Anyone found a color that worked well for this application (107 Palomino interior carpet)?

Brian

 

[bcolins]

Update: Picture of the SEM spray color on Palomino Carpet-Opinions?

I've attached a pic below showing (from left to right)

1-the underside of my rear parcel tray showing what I think is close to original color
2-My center console carpet showing the original faded color at the top,...SEM Palomino in the middle, and SEM Camel single and double coats
3-My newley recovered headrest

This morning was my first chance to see this in natural daylight,.....thinking the orangey Palomino shade is actually pretty close. Opinions??

Brian in Austin

 

[Speedracer1974]

The SEM Palomino looks pretty good. I think that's pretty close to original. You have inspired me to give my carpets a freshening.

 

[bcolins]

Here's how my SL looks with the SEM "CAMEL" (Not Palomino)

Here's a pic of my 83 SL with new Palomino MB-Tex, New Zebrano wood on the center console, and all carpets freshly spray dyed/colored with SEM CAMEL (not Palomino). I just happened to have the Camel on the shelf.....3 cans of it and having seen the 300TD pic with the camel instead of Palomino,....I figured, what the heck. Was pretty nervous about it,....as it was WAAY darker than the faded carpet on the back parcel shelf area,.....but now that its done,......I think I like it BETTER than the palomino.

Pic attached:

 

[Speedracer1974]

Wow Brian, great job. The interior looks like it's right off the showroom floor. Where did you source your Zebrano wood? That's next on my list but I haven't decided on a vendor yet.

Enjoy your "new" ride.

Mark

 

[bcolins]

Wow Brian, great job. The interior looks like it's right off the showroom floor. Where did you source your Zebrano wood? That's next on my list but I haven't decided on a vendor yet.

Enjoy your "new" ride.

Mark

I bought the Zebrano off of eBay. It is a "URO" brand. Did a little negotiating with the seller, and he sold me one for $175 shipped......was just the panel with the window switches and shifter etc.

Brian

 

[bcolins]

PS: Vinyl Pro in Marietta GA is a good source for ALL of SEMS products for repairing and recoloring vinyle, plastic, leather, and carpet. Also any cleaners or preps if needed. And.....videos on how to do various proceedures.

I took my floor mats to the DIY car wash and spray wash then rinsed them,.....then set them out in the sun every day for a week to make certain they were completely dry.

 

[marlinspike]

I've used the Colorbond stuff from GAHH. The color comes out very accurate, but it does make the carpet a bit stiff. How is the SEM with regards to carpet stiffness?

 

[bcolins]

I've used the Colorbond stuff from GAHH. The color comes out very accurate, but it does make the carpet a bit stiff. How is the SEM with regards to carpet stiffness?

The trick with spray dying carpets is multiple light coats. Let each coat dry thoroughly, then brush in every possible direction to make sure no fibers are stuck together. This worked out well for me,.....with one exception, I brushed a spot on the driver's side too soon,.....it was still wet and it created a stuck together spot. Be patient, let it dry,....brush it thoroughly.

I also noticed on my rear parcel shelf that when I brushed, a lot of the color was coming off due to the carpet in that area being overexposed to sun,...and weak,.........after the 3 try on this panel,.....I decided to get a stiffer brush and just focus on attempting to remove as much of the old weak carpet fibers as possible with a thorough vacuuming,......then resumed the spray and lighter brushing. Came out great.

If I ever do this again,....I will brush and vacuum and brush all the carpet extensively before dying. When I prepped for this process, I took my four floor mats and my trunk mat to the DIY car wash and thouroughly spray washed and rinsed them, followed by hanging them over my fence for a day,....then laying them out in the sun each day for a week until I was certain they were completely dry.

 

[Mike5215]

LeatherMagic has it. I've used their pre-mixed colors and they've always been perfect, but you can also send them a sample to custom tint for you. They make water-based leather dyes and carpet/upholstery dyes.

Mercedes Color Chart

 

[bcolins]

LeatherMagic has it. I've used their pre-mixed colors and they've always been perfect, but you can also send them a sample to custom tint for you. They make water-based leather dyes and carpet/upholstery dyes.

Mercedes Color Chart

Good to know. SEM also makes water base leather, vinyl and plastic dyes/colorants. Vinyl pro in Marrietta will mix anything you want and provide it in bulk or an aerosol. The beauty of the Solvent based Color Coat product is that touch ups are always just a few steps away. Grab the spray can,......and have at it.

 

[magicbigdaddy]

I keep seeing the term "SEM" in regards to paint and dye's. What is SEM?
Thanks in advance. Mike

 

[Musikmann]

www.semproducts.com

 

[magicbigdaddy]

Thanks

 

[rickambrose]

I have a couple of different shades of faded carpet in my 83 380SL. Its a Palomino interior and I just recovered the seats, so want to freshen the carpet. I have SEM brand "Color Coat" in Camel and just a couple spritzes of the Palomino color. The Palomino seems a bit too orangey, and the Camel color was a bit too brown. The camel color actually started out looking good when I just dusted it,....but, the color was irregular,....so additional coats were needed to even it out,.....and then,......it became too dark. Anyone found a color that worked well for this application (107 Palomino interior carpet)? Brian

SEM Camel

 

[rickambrose]

SEM Camel is the closest to MBZ Palomino....