Any recommendations for a 1971 red interior replacement vendor?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Any recommendations for a 1971 red interior replacement vendor?

Plan C- buy dash parts from any 70-76 and repaint them red

[Mark E.]

Re: Any recommendations for a 1971 red interior replacement vendor?

Plan C- buy dash parts from any 70-76 and repaint them red

Painting/dying vinyl is less than ideal. The stitching becomes red, it's at risk of peeling off in spots and doesn't look quite right. And for cars with a mottled color (e.g. some saddle interiors; not red) it is far from original looking.

I recommend sourcing an original red interior, or if that's not available, go black. If you go with black, I've found reproduction door panels and the shift console should look and fit fine. You just need original dash panels and trim bits.

[Stan B.]

Re: Any recommendations for a 1971 red interior replacement vendor?

Vinyl dye peeling is why I started looking for a replacement dash panel. The PO changed seats to leather and then dyed everything else to match. Which is now peeling and flaking and is a much darker red than the original color underneath. So I ordered the Al Knoch parts and thought the quality and match would be better.
Interesting note, I called SMS for a sample of their material and on their website it says they will make seat covers. So when I asked about 1971 corvette seat covers, they said to call Al Knoch.
Thanks everyone for contributing. I am learning a lot about restoration.

[Mark E.]

Re: Any recommendations for a 1971 red interior replacement vendor?

Good luck. Be sure to share your progress.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Any recommendations for a 1971 red interior replacement vendor?

Vinyl dye peeling is why I started looking for a replacement dash panel. The PO changed seats to leather and then dyed everything else to match. Which is now peeling and flaking and is a much darker red than the original color underneath. So I ordered the Al Knoch parts and thought the quality and match would be better.
Interesting note, I called SMS for a sample of their material and on their website it says they will make seat covers. So when I asked about 1971 corvette seat covers, they said to call Al Knoch.
Thanks everyone for contributing. I am learning a lot about restoration.

You ever think about removing the red dye from the original parts?
If he doesn't comment here, I know of one occasional poster here who did this with a green 71 interior and it worked well for him.

[Stan B.]

Re: Any recommendations for a 1971 red interior replacement vendor?

Update: tried to remove the previous dye and it worked but dulled the finish of the vinyl.
Talked with Al Knoch and they are going to recover my existing original panels.
I'm ready to get this car back together and on the road.
Thanks everyone for the education.