It is commonly known that a car's carpeting can be dyed, as long as the dye is purchased from an auto parts shop. Read on for advice on how to every job by yourself!
Here are some steps followed in dyeing carpets:
Blow off all dust and dirt from the carpeting using a vacuum cleaner. This will ensure even absorption of dyes during the process and will also keep the place neat and clean.
Clean your hands thoroughly with alcohol or soap, so you do not stain anything with oil-based paint. You may put on disposable gloves if you like; this is useful if working with paints containing solvents which might end up staining your skin easily.
To get rid of grease and soil marks on carpets, you can use household cleaners but remember that proper ventilation is always needed during the process. Minimize inhalation of vapors from cleaning solutions.
Making sure the area is properly ventilated, blow away loose dirt and sand using high-vacuum power tools or a manual brush attachment to your car's vacuum cleaner. Vacuuming should be done with an up-and-down motion in order to keep the carpet strips taut. This allows for uniform drying after cleaning.
Do not leave debris on the closed and wet carpeting as this will lead to molding and mildewing when left unattended; it will also promote bacterial growth which may not be good for the carpeting and your health.
Do not use soaps, detergents or degreasers when cleaning the carpets. They will leave behind residues which may cause staining and is itchy to the touch. Use cleaners that are made for automotive interiors and always follow label directions for safety purposes.
Clean car mats with hot water and a mild detergent like Woolite, Oxi Clean, or Ivory Snow. Wash in warm water with a sponge, rinse thoroughly then pat or blot dry with a clean towel. Do not let them air-dry as this might lead to mildewing; carpet molds release toxic spores which are hazardous to your health. You can store them in an open space under direct sunlight for drying or you can also place them inside a tumble dryer to avoid mildewing.
Clean the carpet using a vacuum cleaner with all the instructions provided in your manual. Run it over the entire area of affected and use attachments like brushes and upholstery tools for tough stains. Vacuum both sides of the carpet as this step will make sure that there are no more residual solutions that can cause staining later on.
Paint any holes, rips or worn areas by following label directions from your chosen product. Apply two coats of paint making sure sufficient drying time is given in between applications so proper bonding is achieved. Avoid skimping on the drying time because you might encounter wrinkles if you do so and this will be hard to remove after painting has already dried up completely. It's best to apply paint in the shade and not under direct sunlight to prevent color from drying too fast.
Paint over the entire area, covering side panels as well for a uniform finish. Wait until the paint dries; you should know that this will take around 24 hours before it is dry enough to be driven again. You can speed up the process by using a blow dryer on low heat or a fan if humidity is low so metal surfaces do not get rusted more quickly than needed.
Look at your car's manual for any warnings regarding use of automotive paints; most likely, they only recommend acrylic enamel which is usually used as touch-up paint for cars made of metal. Also check if there are specific air requirements when working with paints and thinners. Read labels for more precautions.
Issues about vibrancy, brightness and thickness are often asked by first-time users of automotive paints. You may use colors which are not very vibrant as this will make the surface they're applied on less visible from a distance. Brightness can be adjusted if you choose to power-buff or sand your paint afterwards; thinset flooring that is top quality will shine like glass when polished but it's cheaper than using commercial brands made specifically for cars.
In case there are tiny pinholes after painting, it's best to fix those areas before doing any polishing so tiny holes do not become bigger ones later on. Apply some glue around these small cracks then rub them gently to ensure they stick.
Lastly, you need to apply a sealant and top coat for that fresh new car look that will last a long time. Apply it lightly over affected areas so it does not form puddles or drip lines underneath. Be careful not to let any runs drip on the paint color or else it might alter the shade of your vehicle slightly; you could always use tape if this happens. Use different brushes as well for added precision in spreading the paint evenly. Let the surface dry then remove layers of tape slowly in order to prevent damage from sharp edges and hardened glue left behind by adhesive tapes like scotch or masking tapes.
H owe v er , t h e y are not recomm e nde d f or cars that have a plush carpet surface. Use shag carpets instead for they are sturdier and made from synthetic materials which can handle color and heat much better than natural fibers.
In addition, carpet cleaning methods should be the same as those used in upholstery cleaning. If you want to dye your car's interior then you have two options; hire a professional who has experience with this process or do it yourself using techniques mentioned above.
First remove old paint by vacuuming affected areas first and scraping stubborn spots like gum, tar or waxes off using a razor blade carefully so edges aren't too sharp when removed. Rubbing alcohol will also work for cleaning leather parts if you want to dye the same surface on your seat. Use several layers of newspaper and paper towels for drying purposes after removing paint or any other unwanted materials from your carpet surfaces.
If using a brush, then make sure it is relatively soft as brushes used for oil-based paints are best suited for upholstery where they will be subject to harsh chemicals during cleaning; latex and rubber brushes work well with all kinds of dyes but old ones might have worn bristles which can break off while applying paint over it, leaving tiny holes that are hard to fill properly unless sanding is done afterwards. Always refer back to packaging labels when choosing the proper tools since most often than not, you need dozens of them including different sized paint brushes, paint thinner, rags and safety equipment.
If your car's carpet smells like mildew or has stains that will not be removed easily with other cleaning methods, then you can dye it together with the seats. If this is the case then check if there are any holes in your upholstery to prevent any areas from being unevenly dyed. Always test an area first before applying dyes so you know how resistant old paint is and whether more than one coat is necessary for covering surfaces properly; do not use paints made specifically for cars since they tend to bleed after a while which could mix colors and leave ugly results instead of excellent workmanship. Apply sprays within several layers leaving adequate drying time between coats. Remove tape slowly once paint is dry so you don't leave any hard-to-remove adhesive behind on your upholstery.
If you want to dye seats and carpets professionally, then make sure your vehicle manufacturer allows this kind of customization before going to a take it to auto detailing shops. They will need all the tools mentioned above as well as other chemicals that are needed for stripping the old paint off and prepping surfaces for new ones. If they used solvent dyes like MEK or xylene (found in most commercial brands), then be prepared for an odor that might last several days at least until materials affected by these substances air out in a garage or driveway where temperatures reach higher levels and the wind can blow freely without obstructions.
After removing old paint, carpets and seats should be thoroughly dried before being painted with new colors. Use towels or paper for drying purposes then do a final inspection to make sure there are no drip marks, brush strokes or uneven areas after applying coats of paint using either brushes or spray guns carefully. Since most paints are solvent-based, they will probably stink and can cause dizziness at higher levels when air is conditioned and temperature is low inside the car.
If you want to use a professional painter instead of doing it yourself, then make sure he has sufficient experience in this field which he will show you by providing references upon request. Always check certification papers on his licenses since some states require painters to be certified for using certain materials like those mentioned above which could be harmful to the human body or your car's interior. With these tips, you will have a better idea on how to dye upholstery for a professional-looking finish that lasts many years and does not require frequent touch-ups like those used in restaurants or cafes where fresh paint is applied every day to prevent fading due to constant exposure from sunlight and other elements in nature.
When deciding between colors, don't just go with what's trendy at the moment unless you really want to invest money into an otherwise useless item. Choose instead upon taste first since most likely you'll be looking at this seat several times every day as opposed to whatever color it has painted over; stay away from dull monotones like dark chocolate browns if your mood is more upbeat and looking for something that can bring you sweet memories in life.
