SEM vinyl paints are top notch and easy to use.

I have used one of the small compressed air cans with the glass jar attached years ago (40 to be exact) when I picked up a VW Beetle and installed a used hood that needed painting, it did fine but I did need to compound it afterwards but it would work fine on vinyl.

For painting vinyl trim a small compressor and HF small air brush gun will work well.

My original interior dove grey vinyl cleans up fairly nice.  The pieces around the binnacle and those that cover the rear wheels have tears.  I want to repair the tears (e.g. glue) and then spray with SEM Color Coat (interior paint).  SEM has numerous shades of grey.  Has anyone used SEM on Dove Grey and if so what SEM color is the best match?

a local dealer can do a color match but can not put it in a “shaker” can.  “Tothefloor” mentioned the small compressed air sprayer.  Are they any good?

Greetings Rick Higgs, I've intended to respond to this thread and specifically your post here with a photo or two of just how well your treatment of the seats and other painted interior items have held up 25+ years after your 1992 restoration. Just never sat down and got around to it.

But today I took out the right rear quarter panel and on the I noticed it was signed and dated as shown in the 2nd photo here. How cool is that!!!! Had me smiling all afternoon, hope it does the same for you!!!!!

The front seat shown on the right is one the matching 'painted' seats in the car when I purchased it. No confusing it with a fine leather upholstery but they do look good. The seat on the left is one of a Scat ProCar aftermarket set I purchased used and haven't decided which I actually prefer.

Hoping to have Willie back on the pavement in short order, the windows went back in last weekend, the sunroof today wrapping up installation of a new headliner that seems to have gone on forever. Will be adding the inserts you sent me to the sunroof to class things up a bit, so thanks

Hi Kevin (kdwest55),

The sliding fabric top was replaced after someone threw a beer bottle at Jeremy's car and it broke flipped up over landing on the sliding roof 'cookie' cutting the top...that was more than 20 years ago.  The Top was a Weathershield as was the replacement.  Those SS closing caps I mailed you over a year ago will pop into the holes in the rails after the frame is in place.

The original top was tan and dyed black...would have been interesting to see what it would have looked like 25 years on.

PHOTO: what Jeremy & I started within 1991, 1976 Mini 1000

And no. I was offering to trade my new one for your used one... but I think it would be too hard to send.

They also make a small spray gun that works off a small tube of compressed air. They sell them at some of the auto paint stores. The refill air containers are about 5 bucks and the sprayer with one air container is about $20 or les. Great for small items

malsal, , FYI, MD-IN-UK is the best I could do for a personalized license plate in Virginia. Means (may be a bit of a stretch) Made in UK. 

The aerosols are also available these days thru most all automotive paint supply stores. I would suggest a PPG dealer for better pricing. SEM makes a very affordable product too, but I have seen some early wear on some used car repairs done just a year ago, so....

I’m the owner of the ‘76 Mini restored by Rick Higgs and mentioned here. The front and rear seats and other interior components remain in very good condition with almost no evidence of the original color. So follow his advice.

The seats front and rear are currently out as I tinker with the headliner, viewed from behind/beneath the original color is visible. When the time comes their gioing right back, sorry I have no seat photos.

The condition of the sunroof exterior is just amazing, assuming it has not replaced somewhere along the way???? The headliner section here is due and the frame needs work. Not sure how address those without doing the whole thing. Perhaps next winter

Nicely done Rick & Jeremy!!! The whole car.

For me this car was an eBay leap of faith that I was prepared for and could have easily gone wrong. I’m very thankful that was not the case. When the dust settles I hope Derwood finds his to be similar.

MD over here in the US some good paint shop suppliers will mix any colour you like and put it in a spray can, not the cheapest option but sure is handy if you do not have spray equipment. The SEM vinyl dye i used was an excellent product and looked 100% when done.

All very good advice so far, some of this stuff I had forgotten about. While I have no need to dye anything at the moment, I will save this one to my favorites.

I would like to add a brand name if your still up to doing this project. Axalta, formerly DuPont. Go to your local body shop jobber (supplier) and they can make a dye for you in just about any color you like. You will need compressed air and something along the line of a mini spray gun to make it happen.

Best of luck to you.

In the past I painted/dyed seats (tan to black), headliner (white - yes masked off the interior of the Mini sedan to do the headliner), door & parcel bin cards (tan to black) & exterior of Weathershield Sunroof!

CLEAN everything very carefully & thoroughly, use a toothbrush around beads & in cracks etc.!  Rinse with clean water on clean cloth, getting into all the nooks & crannies.

DO NOT spray in sunshine...ONLY in shade.

If properly cleaned, the redye should last without issue for years.

I haven't asked Board Member Kevin West but he now owns the 1976 Mini that my son Jeremy & I built in 1992/93...which got the black vinyl dye treatment 25 years ago.

Oh, sorry , but these aren’t for sale. These are brand new, but on back-order in grey , etc , Wish I could do without them but I have to have extra braking for the special MVI ( 1st MVI since entering Canada, and a job that will finalize the deal as my Canadian car. I think :) . Darren.

What kind of condition is yours in?? I could be interested in the black one. I have one that I bought off mini Mania some years back I've never opened it and both the pieces face each other I believe it's a light color

Sorry for the D*** up. It should read “I will bluebox. Thanks ! Both pieces are new.... Thanks Don.

I will bluebox. Thanks ! Nether pieces are new, just not the right colour, so a good deep cleaning should prove to be fine I think . Cheers , Darren. Thanks for the invaluable help !

Darren pay close attention to removing any silicone spray wax that may have been sprayed on the dash.cheers

+1 to Mike, 
+1 to Malsal,
+1 to dklawson ....thanks dk, thank you kindly for sharing your knowledge, this will help me along towards
a nice result I believe. Also two thumbs up for the brand names. I think you three gents have given me the
”stuff” I need for happy results. Beers all around...on Lupin  ...just kidding, Lupin is my beloved cat and Pal. The beer are on me ! Thanks guys !
      Darren.

      A good cleaning , and two coats in warm temperatures it is then Malcolm. Thanks very much !
      Things are starting to look up on the Mini   . Cheers !

+1 to both Masal and Mike's posts.   Spend a LOT of time on the prep work following the instructions for the product you choose.  With all painting, the end results depend highly on prep work.

I have used a couple of brands of vinyl paint.  I think most parts stores carry Mar-Hyde brand.  That is generally OK but I prefer SEM which is generally available at auto paint stores.

Prep it well with a good cleaning solution to remove any vinyl cleaners used previously. It is best done in warmer weather and outside or a well ventilated room. Two coats works well and vinyl paint from an automotive paint store seems to work better imo.