Palomino to Black Seat Bottoms - Any Success Stories? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sasquatchgeoff · #1 08-12-2010, 11:17 PM

I have a palomino MB-tex seat bottom from the JY that I want to magically convert into black to match my interior. VHT paint makes a dye that allegedly can do this without residue or harm to the vinyl. I was just checking to see if anyone out there has attempted a color change to MB-tex and if so, results from the process.

Jeremy5848 · #2 08-13-2010, 12:48 AM

The closest I can get is (a) I painted two black dashes (a 123 and a 124) with SEM "Shadow Blue" vinyl paint and (b) I patched a rip in my 124 driver's seat bottom with clear vinyl (made for patching vinyl swimming pool liners) and then painted the patch with the same SEM paint. The paint matched the existing MB-Tex very well and didn't wear off, which was even more surprising. I have painted several other Mercedes items including a Palomino console box (covered with MB-Tex, I think) for my 124.

I would not want to try painting an entire seat. Dye sounds like a better option for a seat but when I first investigated dye for a dash (a couple of years ago, on this forum) I was steered towards SEM. If you get the dye, do as the instructions always say and try a little on the underside before taking the big jump. You should also be able to get swatches of MB-Tex from the companies that sell replacement MB-Tex seat covers; at least one is a regular advertiser in the MBCA magazine.

Jeremy

Sev · #3 08-13-2010, 02:24 AM

with the availability of black mb tex for w201 in excellent condition, i wouldn't spend time on spray paint or dye. the time you spend painting it could be time you spend removing the seat skin, then putting w124 foam peices inside the coil loops of your seat base, and then putting on a black mb tex cover. by the way i have both the mb tex covers for 190e and a full black seat with the front seat tilt option (pm me)

alabbasi · #4 08-13-2010, 03:08 AM

SEM color coat should do the job.

t walgamuth · #5 08-13-2010, 05:14 AM

I have never tried it but my favorite machinist says it works fine to paint seats. I don't know what products he has used.

babymog · #6 08-13-2010, 11:04 AM

The SEM color coat works, and wears well. The most difficult part is getting good coverage in seams/creases/etc. while not gluing the crease shut.

deanyel · #7 08-13-2010, 11:23 AM

SEM Color Coat doesn't last well on a wear surface. You would need either SEM Sure Coat or SEM Classic Coat. Of course ColorPlus and Leatherique surface coatings are basically the same thing.

sasquatchgeoff · #8 08-13-2010, 12:41 PM

Thanks to everyone. I am mulling my options. I have an aftermarket leather cover that I can use that is not a perfect match for the rest of the interior, but it is black. I was hoping not to separate the palomino cover from its spring set (spring set is what I need) - seems like a waste of a good palomino. The 201 seat bottom suspension is fragile at best. I have the manual version, which bolts to the seat frame completely different than the power option.

It is probably best not to alter the color of the palomino cover - some member may need it in the future

. I will probably end up using my old leather cover and deal with the dis-similar styling.

symbolic95 · #9 08-13-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasquatchgeoff

Thanks to everyone. I am mulling my options. I have an aftermarket leather cover that I can use that is not a perfect match for the rest of the interior, but it is black. I was hoping not to separate the palomino cover from its spring set (spring set is what I need) - seems like a waste of a good palomino. The 201 seat bottom suspension is fragile at best. I have the manual version, which bolts to the seat frame completely different than the power option.

It is probably best not to alter the color of the palomino cover - some member may need it in the future

. I will probably end up using my old leather cover and deal with the dis-similar styling.

I pulled GEN II seats in grey from junked sel and dyed them with COLOR PLUS black dye.

Palomino to Black Seat Bottoms - Any Success Stories?-amg-intr.jpg

panZZer · #10 08-13-2010, 02:46 PM

I used to use rattle can mar-hyde with good results--on an old used seat I would scrub it good with soap and water and a soft brush and then clean with enamel reducer first before painting.