Freshening up interior plastic panels - guidance wanted

[evlgt85]

After a long and unofficial hiatus with my 85 GT, I am now inspired to get some long-overdue, relatively small cosmetic issues dealt with.

The plastic panels in the back of my car have gotten that whitish turn to them. The plastic doesn't seem on the verge of breaking down as far as I can tell, they just appear well sun bleached, especially under the quarter window area.

My interior color is charcoal. I would like to hear experiences with various brands of dyes, and techniques used for the best result. I like the stock interior appearance and want to keep it.

I've found some good info on exterior charcoal stuff, but didn't find as much on interior. You can all show the ol' admin here how blind she is by linking some stuff if you'd like ;)

[Travis T]

I just took a piece out of my car to an auto parts store and had them match up the dye to the underside of the part. That way, they matched the original color exactly. I think they sold me Dupont stuff, which seemed to work fine as it held up for almost ten years.

[negusm]

http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/Projects/InteriorPainting/

I stand solidly by this writeup.

I redid my dash and it has been in and out of the car (painted) and no scratches yet (although I am careful). The radio in my car slides up and down a bit in the hole when I try and fix stuff behind the dash and I have cringed every time it has happened. It has yet to scuff up the paint.

When done CORRECTLY the Metro Mustang paint is tuff stuff.

A few things I need to update to that writeup:

You need GOOD adhesion promotor. Do NOT use the Metro Mustang stuff...get BullDog or the Krylon stuff I just got works really really well.

*IF* your plastic parts are getting brittle and you can't get better stuff, then bomb the hell out of them with adhesion promotor before you use the color. It will help.

Hot sunny days are AWESOME! Work fast, the adhesion promotor and paint will dry to the touch in TWO MINUTES. However, let them CURE for 2 weeks before installing!

-Mike

[WHTLTHR79RS]

one thing that Nelson and I have noticed is this: The only color of interior panel that seems to hold up to the ages and sun is black. His is black and is perfect. He has a second complete black interior from a totaled Capri that went to the crusher, and it is very good. My white panels are showing some yellow and will flake off if lightly scratched with a finger nail. My car's exposure to the sun over the years has been minimal. I have thought about using an airbrush and acetone to "re-weld" the surface without disturbing the texture. need a scrap panel or piece to prove that theory...

Neil

[negusm]

I have a black map light...the only map light to look about as good as new without any repainting....so I can believe you on the black parts holding up. All the other map lights I have are simply faded to nasty shades.

-Mike

[cmccarthy]

I used Mike's writeup as the basis for my interior overhaul. I used Metro Mustangs charcoal paint. My interior turned out great. Check my gallery for pics. I painted every single piece of plastic in the car.