Applying Classic Leather Dye: Is quick and easy. Excellent results can be achieved with sponge brush or aerosol color. Can also be sprayed with air brush, mouth atomizers, prevals, crown spray tool or conventional spray guns (set the air compressor between 40 and 60 lbs. for best results).
- When spraying use long steady strokes, being sure to keep the gun moving.
- Pre-mixed and pre-matched colors are ready to spray. Just shake or stir, then strain and spray. Leaves a satin gloss finish which matches vinyl. For leather, add flat-ayd or dulling agent to reduce gloss, then strain and spray.
- Applying color in hot conditions or direct sun light may cause dye to dry too quickly. This will result in an unwanted rough finish. To slow down drying time of dye, add 2-5% water. Add Slip additive for a smoother finish. Rough finishes may also be buffed with a lint free towelette, or lightly sanded with 600-1200 grit sandpaper, then spray final coat.
When spraying in cold conditions, use a hair dryer or heat gun to dry between coats. Always warm the leather or vinyl before spraying.
Dye/Recolor Leather
Materials: sandpaper, cleaning supplies, hot air gun, drop cloths, masking tape, Classic Dye color, spraying equipment.
1) Use drop cloths and tape all exposed areas not being dyed.
2) Clean with Triclean Prep Cleaner (TC) using a scrub brush or a scrub pad, to remove dirt and oils. Wipe up with paper towel or a clean lint free cloth. For extremely dirty leather or leather that has conditioner on it, a second or third cleaning is needed.
3) Sanding: (if needed) The original color coat tends to crack and should be sanded smooth or stripped before dyeing.
a) Light wet sanding - use 320#, 400# or 600# grit sand paper by hand or use a vibrating sander. Avoid sanding stitches.
b) Heavy sanding (for heavily cracked areas) use 220 grit sand paper, and wet sand with Triclean, followed by a finer sandpaper to finish. Take down to bare leather if needed. A sealer/primer is usually not needed for Classic Dye, but will help in adhesion of color in cracked or creased areas. Use (95FA) Flex Additive/Primer or (AFP) Aerosol Flex Primer as a sealer/primer.
4) Clean again with Triclean (use masking tape to test for adhesion).
5) Spraying or sponge brush:
a) Rub in first coat especially on creased or cracked areas. (Disposable plastic gloves help) or use sponge brush. Spray a medium coat on a small area (seat panel) and rub in or use sponge brush to spread. If it tends to dry too quickly, add water to the dye to slow down drying process. Allow to air dry or low heat dry.
b) Apply a light coat over entire area, air dry or low heat dry.
c) Apply additional coats light to medium. Two or more coats may be needed.
d) When coverage is satisfactory, check smoothness of leather. Sand with 1000# grit paper if needed.
e) Appy final coat if needed (always clear coat reds and metallics). Thin dye with clear base or spray straight clear base over leather, add (38) dulling agent or (35) flat-ayd to control gloss and add SLIP additive for smoothness. Allow to dry.
f) Buff lightly with a clean soft cloth or lint free towelette. Optimum cure time 8 hrs, though you can sit on the seat when dry to the touch. Apply leather conditioner as needed.
Dye/Recolor Vinyl
Materials: cleaning supplies, heat gun, drop cloths, masking tape, Classic Dye, spray equipment.
1) Use drop cloths and tape all exposed areas not being dyed.
2) Clean with Triclean to remove dirt and oils.
3) Match color: Clear base and pigments or use pre-mixed colors. Add SLIP additive as needed. Strain before spraying.
4) Spraying or sponge brush:
a) Apply a light coat over entire area, air dry or heat dry.
b) Apply additional coats light to medium. Two or more coats may be needed.
c) Apply final coat if needed. Always clear coat reds and metallics. Thin dye with clear base or spray straight clear base over vinyl. Allow to dry.
d) Add SLIP additive to last coat as needed.
Dye/Recolor Carpets
Materials: cleaning supplies, masking tape, drop cloths, Classic Carpet Dye.
1) Scrub heavily soiled areas with #TC - triclean prep cleaner or acetone for faster drying.
a) Use Redout or Red Relief for stains ( coffee, koolaid, etc.).
2) Tape and cover areas as needed to avoid over spray.
3) Match color.
a) Mix color slightly lighter than carpet.
b) Metallics may be added to color or lightly sprayed afterward (mix in with clear base).
4) Spray carpet (or rub in color with cloth) - allow to dry between coats. (Do not use a sponge to apply color to carpet.
5) Remove tape and wipe off over spray.
6) Lightly brush as needed to attain softness.
Dye/Recolor Plastic
Materials: cleaning supplies, masking tape, overspray shield, drop cloths, Plastic Coater (PC).
1) Clean with Triclean (TC). Use the masking tape test to check for adhesion.
2) Tape and cover areas to avoid overspray.
3) Adhesion promoter.
a) Use Plastic Coater (PC) primer, spray 2 coats and allow to dry.
4) Match color with Classic Leather Dye.
a) Add 3% Crosslinker to color for added durability and adhesion.
b) SLIP additive can be added for a smoother finish.
Note: Add #38 Dulling Agent or #35 Flat-Ayd to dull the finish.
Dye/Recolor Hard Plastic - metallic finish
1) Clean with Triclean (TC). Use the masking tape test to check for adhesion.
2) Tape and cover areas to avoid overspray.
3) Select color - it's best to use the WB series of color.
a. Choose a pre-matched WB series metallic color.
4) Spray light coats of the WB metallic color. Allow to dry between coats.
Note: SLIP additive can be added for a smoother finish. For a high gloss finish, use a high gloss solvent base clear.
Dye/Recolor Fabric
1) Scrub heavily soiled areas with Triclean (TC) water based cleaner.
2) Tape areas as needed to avoid over spray.
3) Mix color in Carpet Dye Base (CD) clear base.
a) Mix color slightly lighter than carpet.
b) Brillant Metallic (202) may be added to color or lightly sprayed afterward (mix in with clear base).
4) Spray fabric - allow to dry between coats.
5) Remove tape and wipe off over spray.
6) Lightly brush to attain softness.
Often color can be matched to vinyl sides.
When dyeing stripes or checks thin the dye (with water) enough for the pattern to show through. Increase pigment % to completely cover pattern.