Who has painted/dyed a vinyl top?

[John_Mc]

The vinyl top on my 1970 Lincoln is great shape, but the dark green is badly faded.  I'm considering painting or dying it my self.  I'm going to have my local auto paint specialist custom mix my color.  Besides the obvious super clean it and remove all previous coatings, any tips from someone who has done this?.

[Modeleh]

I have used SEM brand vinyl spray with good results.  Like you say the key to it all is really how well you can prepare the surface.  I used SEM vinyl cleaners and did several treatments.  You probably will need to use a fairly stiff bristled brush like a nail cleaning brush depending on how coarse the grain of the vinyl is.  

[Rusty_OToole]

Years ago I repainted a 75 Chrysler New Yorker white for a customer, including the roof. We painted the vinyl top with white Tremclad rust paint which is an enamel that does not dry hard. Saw the car about 5 years later and the top still looked good.

 

If you aren't as cheap as we were 30 years ago you can buy special plasicizers or softeners for auto enamel meant for painting rubber bumpers. It should give the flexibility you need.

[John348]

There are several SEM products with very specific instructions that your paint specialist will know about. I have had very good luck with interior vinyl.

Edited February 2, 2018 by John348 (see edit history)

[RansomEli]

Ditto with the SEM products. You need to buy the SEM cleaners/conditioners in order to prepare the vinyl properly. The conditioner made the vinyl slightly porous so your dye will penetrate the vinyl and not just lay on top.

 

My results were great. You get what you pay for.

 

One piece of advice: Spray light coats - don't try to cover the material all at once. If you spray too heavy you'll fill in the vinyl grain texture and ruin the top.

[Steve_Mack_CT]

When I was around 20 I paid a shop what seemed like a fortune to refinish the top on my 73 Monte Carlo.  Might have been around $200 in 1980.  It lasted about a month. ☹

 

Par for the course, I guess, as that was by far the worst car I have ever owned.  I might price a replacement though, unless technology on that has improved.

[John_Mc]

You guys have been great, I will heed your advice - thanks!!

[60FlatTop]

I changed the color of the seats in my '64 Riviera from green to black in 1980 using SEM vinyl die. They still look great today but a little green is showing through on the drivers side seam.

 

The car detailer I did it with said lots and lots of lacquer thinner in the bright sunshine. The material was very hot to touch when we set them on the garage floor and shot a few coats on. But that was the trick. I have seen a lot of dye jobs peel off in strips. Mine were in really nice condition from a '65 Riviera with a custom interior. Fadding is a sign of deterioration. Properties of the vinyl may have out gassed. You might be closer to needing a new top than it looks.

 

Bernie

[61polara]

I agree on all the comments about SEM products.  Use their cleaners and follow the instructions and you will have great results that will list a long time.  SEM has mixing formula back to the early '70's and maybe further back.  Go to an automotive paint suppler and they can mix it for you.  It must be sprayed on, not brushed.  Several levels of gloss are available.

Edited February 3, 2018 by 61polara
Additional information (see edit history)