Dyeing MB-Tex - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jeremy5848 · #1 01-22-2009, 09:52 PM

Can MB-Tex be dyed?

The door trim on the driver's door of my '87 300D Turbo (W124, OM603) is damaged – two of the three clips are broken and I have to hold it on with glue, making it hard to remove. The dark blue MB-Tex is in good shape.

I got a replacement with all good clips today at Pick and Pull but the covering is palomino. My choice:
(1) Peel the blue MB-Tex off the broken piece and try to glue it onto the "new" one.
(2) Dye the palomino MB-Tex to match the rest of my blue interior.

If I want to try dyeing, where do I buy dye for vinyl materials like MB-Tex?

Jeremy

Bio300TDTdriver · #2 01-22-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Can MB-Tex be dyed?

The door trim on the driver's door of my '87 300D Turbo (W124, OM603) is damaged – two of the three clips are broken and I have to hold it on with glue, making it hard to remove. The dark blue MB-Tex is in good shape.

I got a replacement with all good clips today at Pick and Pull but the covering is palomino. My choice:
(1) Peel the blue MB-Tex off the broken piece and try to glue it onto the "new" one.
(2) Dye the palomino MB-Tex to match the rest of my blue interior.

If I want to try dyeing, where do I buy dye for vinyl materials like MB-Tex?

Jeremy

Or you could send it north to me and look for a blue one.

I was wondering about dyeing as well today. I keep looking at my pinkamino seat and wonder how it would take the dye.

Cr from Texas · #3 01-22-2009, 10:16 PM

You could perhaps successfully dye leather.

At best, you could only coat MB Tex and I would not even try it.
Keep looking at the pick -n - pull for the blue. It should not be hard to find.

Jeremy5848 · #4 01-22-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bio300TDTdriver

Or you could send it north to me and look for a blue one.

I was wondering about dyeing as well today. I keep looking at my pinkamino seat and wonder how it would take the dye.

That's an option but I've not seen another blue W124 interior for a long time. An additional problem is that folks in junkyards often just rip the piece off and break the tabs (they're after the door skin).

Find me a blue one and we can trade!

Bio300TDTdriver · #5 01-22-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

That's an option but I've not seen another blue W124 interior for a long time. An additional problem is that folks in junkyards often just rip the piece off and break the tabs (they're after the door skin).

Find me a blue one and we can trade!

I can't believe you found one that wasn't broken!

The closet pick and pull is in Canada or Seattle about 2- 2 1/2 hours away.

I successfully pulled or should I say finished pulling the lining of my B pillar. I cleaned the foam of the edge and glued it back on with goop. I used a bunch of binder clips to hold it on while it dried. It is still holding after several months. That may work on that piece as well. We are talking about the inside mirror trim piece, correct?

KAdams4458 · #6 01-22-2009, 10:25 PM

I've had excellent results using SEM Color Coat on high wear areas like arm rests and door pulls. I don't believe they have a canned colour that matches the blue you need exactly, but then, exact colour matches are not ordinary in the auto interior world. If you coloured all of the similar trim panels in the car with a close enough colour, no one would notice the difference. In other words, if you spray one door handle, spray the other three at the same time. Eyes will pick up on two slightly different shades in mirrored parts on opposite sides of the car, but it will go completely unnoticed if they ll match.

sixto · #7 01-22-2009, 10:27 PM

Isn't paint the stuff to use on vinyl?

http://www.levineautoparts.com/semvinandpla.html

Sixto
87 300D

KAdams4458 · #8 01-22-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

Isn't paint the stuff to use on vinyl?

http://www.levineautoparts.com/semvinandpla.html

Sixto
87 300D

That's the stuff! It works extremely well. I've also used it to change the colour of a seat cushion, and it has taken that abuse extremely well for several years.

Bio300TDTdriver · #9 01-22-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

Isn't paint the stuff to use on vinyl?

http://www.levineautoparts.com/semvinandpla.html

Sixto
87 300D

Has anyone used that on the MB tex seats? They have palomino, so maybe it would match.

We posted at the same time. I guess I'll give it a try if it worked on the seats for you.

KAdams4458 · #10 01-22-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bio300TDTdriver

Has anyone used that on the MB tex seats? They have palomino, so maybe it would match.

Not me. It is just vinyl, though, even if it does have ridiculously long life. I think I still have a trashed MB-Tex seat cover and a partial can of SEM Color Coat in the shop. Experimental demonstration, anyone?

Also, check out this thread...

Dye used interrior parts to match

jammybugger · #11 01-22-2009, 10:40 PM

How about this!http://www.worlduph.com/mb18.htm

compress ignite · #12 01-22-2009, 11:52 PM

If you will call SEM with your Mercedes Interior Color Code they will give you
the SEM product Number that matches your interior color.

They make a different product for Leather (Same great results,just slightly
different pre-application washing and cleaning process.)

With either the Leather or the Vinyl (MB Tex) product the two most important
steps are: 1. Wash the article with soap that has no residue capabilities.
2. Obtain and use the SEM product for cleaning AFTER washing...
I.E. Plastic and Leather Prep ,it removes any final residue before you spray on the Color Coat.

On the Vinyl product application it may require you to "Rough Up" the MB Tex
surface with the specified "Grit" sanding product to give the Old Tex some
"Tooth", for the new Color Coat to adhere to!

They provide Telephone Technical advice from their headquarters in
Mecklengburg County, N.C. @ 1 (800) 831-1122

Dusty-NZ · #13 01-23-2009, 12:07 AM

Just to re-confirm what compress ignite has said.

My 240D has had the complete interior MB Tex recolored over 18 yrs ago. 99% of it is still excellent . The only blemish is where the rain got on the door trim last yr. It's thinned the color a little.
The seats are not showing any color wear.

I think that its ok for its age.

KAdams4458 · #14 01-23-2009, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compress ignite

...

On the Vinyl product application it may require you to "Rough Up" the MB Tex
surface with the specified "Grit" sanding product to give the Old Tex some
"Tooth", for the new Color Coat to adhere to!

My personal preference for this is a grey Scotchbrite pad used with the SEM Soap, as was recommended to me by a SEM representative several years ago. It is an important step.

JimmyL · #15 01-23-2009, 12:31 AM

I believe Chad [chad300tdt] has done some painting of his interior pieces. Headrests I think. Looked brand new, but then again, his work is always of the highest order!!

Here we go:
An exciting day for "Dragon" my wagon

also:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

I've heard good reports from others who have used this stuff. When using it on plastic, there's a different prep solution. Check out the tech data sheet, it discusses the techniques for applying to different materials.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

Here's where I bought it:
http://www.tcpglobal.com/autobodydepot/semindex.aspx?gclid=CNmLpPai85cCFQETGgodQyDgCg

I actually ordered it through Amazon.com, but it was with TCP Global. The price per can ordering from Amazon was cheaper, but there were only 3 cans available in Palomino and I bought them all.

I'll just order from TCP Global directly next time. I've bought other things from them before and they're a decent company to deal with in my experience.

You could go to SEM's website and search for a local distributor as well.