BobbyZ Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Hi guys, I have been looking around for a good alternative to getting all new interior pieces to change the color in my 77 280z. I was looking for some good quality interior paint and I found a paint made by Alsa Corp. They call it a soft touch paint and it says that it resembles leather when finished. I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with it or something like it. I would really like to use it on my dashboard, I think it could really improve the look of the plastics. It's pretty expensive though and I dont want to spend the money making a mistake someone else has already made. http://www.alsacorp.com/products/softtouch/softtouch.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 If this is the stuff that I think it is, its a thin rubbery coating. Cover your interior pieces with fabric is the best way to go IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240hoke Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 it probably similar to the stuff used in ALOT of new cars... specifically BMW. I hate that crap. While it probably looks great brand new after a while it will start to wear off and look horrible. I guess I just have something against it because im my BMW 330 alot of the console was done like this. I spent hours scraping it off to reveal the plastic underneath which was the same color and looked better!!!!! I too would take to time to cover it in cloth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyZ Posted January 22, 2008 Author Share Posted January 22, 2008 The small amount of information that I have found on this stuff says that it is really durable, they actually use it for an exterior paint. Covering the dash in cloth is an option it just seems like a lot of work and I dont have a whole lot of sewing experience. What about some other alternative interior paints. I would like to color match the car and covering every plastic piece in cloth would be a pretty big undertaking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZR8ED Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 I used a simple vinyl upholstery paint from the local Canadian Tire store. i removed the panels from the car. Cleaned them EXTREMELY well, then painted. I even painted the soft padded doors (78 280) I changed them from off white to black...That was more than 10 years ago. Still look great! less than 8 bucks a can, and 2 cans did the entire interior. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyZ Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 Sounds like a good inexpensive solution. I will probably just try the vinyl paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240hoke Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 I have used the viny paint as well and have had very good results. I resprayed my entire dash and all my plastics with it. I just went with the same color, black. It however made everything look nice again and has held up very well. Its very thin and is almost more of a dye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Guys, I am going to be re-dying my whole interior when it gets warm enough. What brand dye/paint did you use? I am NOT doing a color change, my interior has sun fade. Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyZ Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 So if i was to bondo my dash than the vinyl paint wouldnt really be enough to cover the bondo would it. Will the vinyl paint work well over some kind of primer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Bondo won't stick to your dash very well, I think a urathane based product would be better. Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 SEM brand of vinyl and plastic interior paint/dye has been excellent. I have used it for redoing the uneven finish on black plastic interior pieces. Good prep makes it look perfect (like new) and it's durable too. I bought it from an automotive paint store. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 SEM brand of vinyl and plastic interior paint/dye has been excellent. I have used it for redoing the uneven finish on black plastic interior pieces. Good prep makes it look perfect (like new) and it's durable too. I bought it from an automotive paint store. Davy I forgot, I used SEM stuff years ago with great results. Thanks DavyZ! Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Mine Motors Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 I used a simple vinyl upholstery paint from the local Canadian Tire store. i removed the panels from the car. Cleaned them EXTREMELY well, then painted. I even painted the soft padded doors (78 280) I changed them from off white to black...That was more than 10 years ago. Still look great! less than 8 bucks a can, and 2 cans did the entire interior. i di the same thing. it was easy and looks like new. every time i get out of my car my leg hits the door and the paint has still held up great. i got it from pep boys. highly recomended! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomz Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 I just used fiberglass on my cracked dash. I applied it everyplace except the glovebox. you have a smooth finish, no cracks, and I painted it with the same paint I used on my car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 I just used fiberglass on my cracked dash. I applied it everyplace except the glovebox. you have a smooth finish, no cracks, and I painted it with the same paint I used on my car. Glossy dash sounds like a terrible idea. That said, I wanna see it! Im sure it looks great. Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Mine Motors Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 ya, post us some pics. i'd also like to see how it came out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantaz Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 i used some vinyl spray to match my exterior but instead of painting whole areas i went for the small touches to personalize it.. all i did was follow the natural lines in the door panel. And like previously suggested, im covered the other panels in material instead of painting. just my .02 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Mine Motors Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 here's how mine came out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomz Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Glossy dash sounds like a terrible idea. That said, I wanna see it! Im sure it looks great. Evan Think about it all pre-60's cars had steel dashes. Example 55/56/57 Chevys. All paint was gloss. A lot of it was 2 tone (cool). Check at your next car show. Will post pics when done. Done before, works great. Remember, I'm an old fart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShinHed Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 ^They also used to put cocaine in Coca Cola Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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