Dyeing seats??

Not sure if this is the right location but it's in regards to "visually" improving my seats :-)
Has anyone here ever tried drying seats? My once black now blue/purple seats in the red 87se really bug!! The seats are in perfect condition short of the fade. Looking for options.

I just tried with duplicolor vinyl and fabric paint. It work well on the vinyl. I've used it before. As for the fabric of the seat it take quite a few layer to dye it properly (like 5-6 coat). It seem to work and hold well, but it make the fabric feel a bit tougher.. time will tell if it will soften with the time and uses.



but from your pictures it seems like your seat isn't covered from the same material than mine.. looks like fake suede?

You are correct. It is more of suede like material. I am wondering how hard it would be to pull the seat covers and dye them with ritt the convintiional way. I figure a 5 gallon bucket and some dye and a cold rinse in the washer and air dry would work but not sure how hard pulling the covers would be.

the head cover isn't hard to remove. Same goes for the lower part. The only part I could not remove (or didn't dare forcing) is the top part. I couldn't seem to find a way to remove the two plastic guide for the headrest.

Most of the material is held up with a weird system of steel ring and wire. It's a pain to remove and put back put totally doable. I did it with a pair of longnose vicegrip and a flat screwdriver.

I would imagine that the material will shrink some while drying following a dyeing with Ritt and  water.  I'm not sure you would be able to get them back on.

Only if I dry it in a dryer. If I air dry it by hanging it shrinking will be minimal (I believe)..

I pulled covers off my 87 mr2 and washed them. Its a similar system, upholstery rings holding wires which in turn hold the fabric. Its not impossible, but its not the easiest thing in the world.

That being said, I would attempt that over the spray dye method any day of the week.

If you can find a way to remove the guide for the headrest, I agree it's probably the best option to remove the upholstery and dye it properly. I only tried the spray method because I already had the cans and didn't want to break the plastic guide.

Ok guys if noone can figure it out by this weekend ima come to the rescue. Since I'm gonna have hmm lets see...fucking SIX total front seats at my house I will see exactly what it takes to get those head rest guides off. My passenger seat is pretty toast anyway so ill probably just see on that one.

It will be a week or so before I can get to my seats. Not high on the priority list on a non running car. I just wanted to get some opinions on an issue I know I will be dealing with.

Well Kenny IV wanted to do it too so hopefully I can get some answers for you

On the plastic "guides" around the headrest. If it's like others I have seen you must remove the headrest 1st then there is either a small pin hole in the plastic piece the has a release point in it that must me depressed or take two small screw drivers and put them opposite each other under the lip (between the lip and seat top). Push both towards one another. Don't pry too hard just slight pressure. Not sure if either will work but both have worked in the past..
Post Merge

I could but my head breasts don't like to move lol I'm gonna have to pry them off lol there stuck somehow

night_s12 on 04:09:29 PM / 30-Jan-13I could but my head breasts don't like to move lol I'm gonna have to pry them off lol there stuck somehow

Hah wow.     Although head rests that look like breasts would be dope lol

The two plastic pieces for the headrest located  atop the seat must be removed from inside the seat.  You will break them if you pry from the top.

The back of your seat has two zippers for access.  You will need to remove several sets of metal clips in order to get to the underside of the plastic pieces which are about two inches long.  It will be obvious from there that you squeeze them at that end and force them out by pushing.

Mine are really rusted in there.  You may want to plan some extra time for some penetrant to work on it. 

night_s12 on 05:08:52 PM / 30-Jan-13Hah wow.     Although head rests that look like breasts would be dope lol

Hah hell yeah

I would like a CD player, moon roof, AC, LSD, and I'm really fond of the "C cup" head rests!!!

Lol just mod one of these:


or if you're afraid your girlfriend won't like the idea:


Should we start a group buy? :P

That's exactly what I had in mind. Now I think they need to be heated too - and maybe made of memory foam??

heating and massaging boobies head rest? a dream come true!

BTW aren't we a LIL bit off topic? hahaha

Just trying to help Night with a business opportunity so he can retire and support our club

Hahahahaahah yes!!!! I someone buys a pair I will make them!!!

rednucleus on 08:41:11 PM / 30-Jan-13I'll bet you could retire a wealthy man and buy all the S12's you want if you marketed that idea.  Especially if you made them in different sizes!!  Would sell especially well on late night TV - "but wait by one pair, get second pair free" ... Nothing better than two pair of breasts - I mean rests.

One last thought - probably should be adjustable as well - maybe inflatable? - as long as your marketing this, it should of course be perfect
(Wow - adjustable boobies)

I honestly tried finding pillows like that to buy so I could try making them but all I found was a set of that was breasts and a penis pillow lol

im fucking dieing right now XD hahaha

Hah you telling me you wouldn't rock a set For atleast one day?

Hell ya I would hahaha

Hah exactly!! If someone can find something like that online for cheap then ill make them. Perverted, yes. Epic, fuckin ya it is!!

It would be Epic to let Grandma take it for a spin and not let her know!!!

Hah yup

I just got done using the ritt dye and the vinyl spray can dye. Ritt dye works but not very well and not worth the work of take the seat apart. The spray dye worked so much better and faster.

Care to show the result?

how was the material texture with the ritt dye? I know it feel a little rough with the vinyl spray can, I'm hoping it will soften back with uses.

Ya ill post up the pic

Hey djay where did you get the fabric paint at and how much is it?

I found some good stuff. Tested it on a spare seat and works good. Not alot in the can but still works and I can get it cheaper than $10 because of my sisters employee discount.

duplicolor fabric and vinyl paint. I bought it at canadian tire, but I'm sure any store that sell duplicolor products will have those.

If it is for seat, I'm sure there is some existing stuff that work better for material, but for vinyl, the duplicolor stuff is impressive.

cool cuz i got black rear seats from colin m toady and my turbo seats i wann make black and also this racing bucket seat im getting lol