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Fade Away
Just Dashes do-it-yourself vinyl interior recoloring kit.

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:
  • 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
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!

(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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A final inspection of our work revealed hidden dirt in a stitching seam which needed to be cleaned out. While the new color will cover hidden dirt, sooner or later it will break loose leaving an unpainted spot.
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You should have several rolls of different width 3M masking tape to mask off any areas that will not receive color. In this case the chrome stanchions of the head rest will be taped off.
(Click Here to view a larger photograph)
Since the head rest will be recolored top and bottom, we will mask off the plastic seam cover with 2-inch wide tape. Overlap the edges of hard plastic areas so no color can blow underneath the tape.
(Click Here to view a larger photograph)
A sharp razor blade or X-Acto® knife can be used to trim the tape right to the edge of the area. Use care not to cut the material of the head rest. This same process can be used on almost any area not to receive color.
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Our headrest has been thoroughly masked and checked for loose tape or uncovered spots. Care at this point will eliminate the need for time consuming cleanup later.
(Click Here to view a larger photograph)
All Just Dashes vinyl dye is ready to use right out of the can. It does however require mixing with the stick supplied. Once it is completely mixed it's ready. Remember to keep the lid on the can while working.

Click Here to go to FADE AWAY, Part Two.
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