Fabric Dye

[ford4wd08]

Hi, new guy.

Couple of questions.

I'm about to inherit a '85 BII .

It needs some TLC but seems to be pretty solid.

My question is on the interior for now, drivers seat is ripped up pretty bad on bottom cushion -- I think I'll have to source a replacement or pay someone to recover it with new foam -- anyone have ideas where I could source some?

The door panels are the fabric covered ones, but they are pretty sun faded.

Has anyone dyed fabric??

The interior is red -- which I love and don't want to change....

Some pics in another thread.

https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179030

Thanks!

Jordan

 

[Shran]

Most upholstery shops could fix the seat, the problem is finding matching fabric and you'd probably end up needing to reupholster all of the seats to match.

Other options include seat covers or junkyard seats.

Really comes down to how much money you want to spend. I took a look through your pics - my suggestion would be to get seat covers, clean the thing up, and get it roadworthy... if it's been sitting as long as it looks like it has, it needs a LOT of work. I just sold off one that I fixed up that had been sitting for quite a few years - it was a serious commitment.

You can dye fabric, FWIW, you could try Rit dye and it is available at Walmart or probably your grocery store. Usually it's applied in the washing machine and there is an issue of excess dye bleeding onto other things so you'll have to read up on using it on door panels before trying it.

 

[ford4wd08]

Most upholstery shops could fix the seat, the problem is finding matching fabric and you'd probably end up needing to reupholster all of the seats to match.

Other options include seat covers or junkyard seats.

Really comes down to how much money you want to spend. I took a look through your pics - my suggestion would be to get seat covers, clean the thing up, and get it roadworthy... if it's been sitting as long as it looks like it has, it needs a LOT of work. I just sold off one that I fixed up that had been sitting for quite a few years - it was a serious commitment.

You can dye fabric, FWIW, you could try Rit dye and it is available at Walmart or probably your grocery store. Usually it's applied in the washing machine and there is an issue of excess dye bleeding onto other things so you'll have to read up on using it on door panels before trying it.

It hasn't been sitting as long as it appears.

It has a battery from 2013 in it, and I know we drove it around since then some.

But yes, I agree it will need some work to make it road worthy, but I'm willing and able.

 

[Ranger850]

I wouldn't lean towards dying your fabrics. They are very old and it will release the dye onto your things. Just get new material and some spray glue and DIY. I have a lot of experience with fabrics and dying is for T-Shirts and hair. I am in the process of doing my interior and I am using Awning material because A) it is less likely to fade, B) I know how to manipulate these types of fabrics, C) it is tougher than most other fabrics associated with automobiles.
As for the seats, either have them reupholstered or JY seats as previously mentioned.

 

[ford4wd08]

I wouldn't lean towards dying your fabrics. They are very old and it will release the dye onto your things. Just get new material and some spray glue and DIY. I have a lot of experience with fabrics and dying is for T-Shirts and hair. I am in the process of doing my interior and I am using Awning material because A) it is less likely to fade, B) I know how to manipulate these types of fabrics, C) it is tougher than most other fabrics associated with automobiles.
As for the seats, either have them reupholstered or JY seats as previously mentioned.

For some silly reason, it never occurred to me that I can have them reupholstered or recovered with new fabric.

That is most likely the route I'll go.

I believe I know a guy who can do interiors.

 

[91stranger]

You could try places like Fibrenew or Creative Colors, they can sometimes fix tears in stuff like that. We have a local company that fixes the faux leather sofas when they have tears and they take a 3 inch tear in the couch and repair it and you would never know it was there and its only like $70 for the repair. I didn't look at the pics so I don't know how bad the seats are. We normally send emails with pics and they email back an estimate. It's best to have professionals fix stuff like this rather than messing with dyes and glue. They are normally in and out within 15-20 minutes. You can get nice seat covers that make you forget all about the factory seat fabric issues if you get the nice seat covers and not the cheap big lots specials lol.

 

[Ranger850]

For some silly reason, it never occurred to me that I can have them reupholstered or recovered with new fabric.

That is most likely the route I'll go.

I believe I know a guy who can do interiors.

See if he can get Sunbrella brand fabric. It is waterproof for a year in the sun and is durable as he'll. They use it on patio furniture. Tough as nails

 

[ford4wd08]

See if he can get Sunbrella brand fabric. It is waterproof for a year in the sun and is durable as he'll. They use it on patio furniture. Tough as nails

I own a boat... I've heard much about Sunbrella.

Never thought to use it on automotive interiors...

I know he does boat interiors too, so I'm sure he will know of it.

 

[ford4wd08]

I'll try to get picks of it for everyone next time I go to his house in a couple of weeks.

It is full of crap.... My Grandfather was bad about storing stuff in vehicle to keep it dry.

I'll take a trash can and clean her up for some pics.

 

[Ranger850]

Sunbrella is just one brand, there are several different one out there. Also forgot to mention that most have a UV protected coating.