By Jim McGowan
| Many 60's and 70's Mopar
interiors are in suprisingly good condition after
three decades of use. The most common damage is
fading of the original colors on vinyl and hard
plastic parts. Until now there was no way to match
the same factory colors without installing a new
interior kit. Just Dashes, the pioneer in concours
quality vinyl interior parts restoration, now has
introducted the "FADE AWAY" Interior Recoloring
System, which will allow you to recolor your original
interior parts at home. If your vinyl dash, seats,
door panels, kick panels, etc are in good shape,
then the Fade Away system is what you need. For
example, if your E-body dash has been restored by
Just Dashes and is B5 Blue, you now can get the
exact same factory color in the FADE AWAY kit to
re-dye the rest of your interior to match the dash.
The FADE AWAY Vinyl Recoloring System contains everything
you will need to successfully recolor your vehicles
interior. Years of ultraviolet rays have faded the
original color of your interior vinyl parts, but
now you can restore them to like new condition with
this kit. If your dash pad or other parts are cracked,
oxidized or otherwise damaged, you should send them
to Just Dashes for a concours quality restoration.
Depending on your order, this kit will contain:
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- One or more quarts of vinyl dye
- Fade Away Vinyl Life Preserver
- Cleaning pads
- Cleaning brush
- Stir sticks
- Rubber gloves
- Breathing mask
- Self-contained sprayer
- Funnel
- Adhesion promoter (if ordered)
- Detailed instructions
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Here's the procedure for using the kit
in the comfort of your own shop or garage. We started
the process by examining the surface of the item
to be recolored. If the surface is soft to the touch
it is vinyl, if hard like E-body door panels or
kick panels, then it is plastic. After cleaning,
Fade Away adhesion promoter should be used on the
hard plastic prior to recoloring.
Both vinyl and hard surfaces should be thoroughly
cleaned with the Just Dashes Surface Prep cleaner
and brush and then immediately wiped with a wet
cloth to remove the dirt. DO NOT allow the cleaner
to dry on the surface. Cleaning a small area at
a time, using the brush for deep grain or hard
to reach areas, will insure complete residue removal.
The parts must be thoroughly dry before applying
color. A light, warm spray of air from a household
hair dryer will assist in hastening the drying
process.
The Just Dashes vinyl dye has been mixed in the
original factory color that you specified for
your interior, and does not need to be thinned
prior to spraying. After thoroughly mixing the
contents in the can, simply fill the glass jar
of the sprayer approximately 3/4 full of dye,
using the funnel in the kit. The jar is now attached
to the sprayer and you are ready to color your
parts. Hold the sprayer 8 to 10-inches from the
item and begin to spray. Just Dashes recommends
the "double spray" method or spraying on two coats
at a time in a cross-hatch pattern. This provides
complete coverage of the areas to be colored.
Do not get impatent at this stage, allow 15-minutes
for the material to dry between coats. If you
have several items to color, simply line them
up and move from one to the next in assembly line
fashion. For recoloring in the same original color,
usually two coats will be enough. If you're changing
interior color, continue to add coats until the
color is solid. You can consult with the experts
at Just Dashes on how much dye your particular
interior job will require. After allowing the
dye to dry for 24 hours, a coat of Just Dashes
Vinyl Life Preserver can be added. This will protect
the surface and does not attract dust.
The re-coloring process is simple, but the correct
steps must be followed for professional results.
Lacquer thinner can be used for cleanup. Additional
vinyl dye is available, in any original Mopar
color, and it will last for years under normal
use.
Note: Just Dashes recommends that you use
the rubber gloves and breathing filter supplied
in the kit when mixing or spraying petroleum based
products. Spraying should be done in a well ventillated
dust free area, with the ideal temperature at
70 to 85-degrees. DO NOT spray your parts in direct
sunlight! |
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(Click Here to view a larger photograph)
This Mopar headrest is not only faded but has actually
changed color from exposure to ultraviolet rays, heat
and cold. The vinyl is still intact and pliable, so
it is a perfect candidate for restoration. If your vinyl
is cracked the only way to fix it is to send it to Just
Dashes for restoration.
(Click Here to view a larger photograph)
Spray a small area with Just Dashes Surface Prep
cleaner, making sure the cleaner penetrates into the
grain in the vinyl and areas with stitching, etc. Mix
the concentrated cleaner 4 parts water to 1 part cleaner,
3 to 1 if surface is badly soiled. Several applications
might be necessary for thorough cleaning.
(Click Here to view a larger photograph)
Use the brush to work the cleaner into the vinyl
grain and stitching to help loosen up old dirt, oils
or other residue. Wipe the surface with a damp rag to
lift the dirt after brushing. Continue the process over
the entire surface of the part with special attention
to detail or decorative areas.
(Click Here to view a larger photograph)
Once the grain is cleaned, use the cleaner and
scotch pad to completely clean the surface. A light
scuffing will not only clean but provide a better surface
for the dye to adhear to. The surface can now be wiped
down with a soft clean cloth and water. Allow the item
to thoroughly dry, overnight in damp climates if necessary.
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