How to clean '63 quarter panel trim

[Jon R.]

Is there any way to clean the splotchy appearance of my interior quarter panel trim on my '63 coupe? I believe these to be original vinyl covered trim - any way to tell for sure? I have tried various cleaning products to no avail. None of the other vinyl covered parts in the car have this appearance. I am thinking that I might have to dye them. Are the available dyes any good? Anyone suggest the best one?

Thanks,
Jon

[Edward J.]

Re: How to clean '63 quarter panel trim

Jon, I am tinking its time to re-dye those parts, I know the venders sell the spray bombs,and know the saddle can be a tough color to match, Maybe if you stop by a auto paint store that has the a paint matching gun they maybe able to take a pictuce of a panel and match it that way.

[Duke W.]

Re: How to clean '63 quarter panel trim

Those blotches are common for most/all colors on that particular part, and I think they are caused by a reaction between the adhesive and the vinyl, so they can't be cleaned as far as I know.

Duke

[Joe M.]

Re: How to clean '63 quarter panel trim

Well I'll be darn!

My original Saddle tan vinyl on those very same panels has the exact same discolorations. Still have the covers but used a dark brown leather to rewrap the panels back in 1970.

Forget matching any part of the saddle tan interior and don't waste your time on anyone's version of dye.

Would love to see a line of saddle/ saddle cars next to each other and compare colors.

Unless some chemist has a solution, new vinly is probably the way to go for all the interior vinyl. Either that or keep it as it is. I may do that and remove the brown leather trim someday.

[Perry M.]

Re: How to clean '63 quarter panel trim

My saddle quarter panel trim was exactly like yours. I dyed them years ago without any negative results. They look good as new. I"ll look to see if I can find the dye I used.

[Jon R.]

Re: How to clean '63 quarter panel trim

Edward, Duke, Joe and Perry,

Thanks for the replies. Since this is the only vinyl that does not look good, I am inclined to try the dye route rather than replace the vinyl. The existing vinyl appears to be in good shape, just discolored. If I replaced the vinyl, most likely it too would have to be dyed to match, so I am right back to where I would be if I dyed the original.

Perry, If you can find it, I would like to know what brand of dye you used.

Regards,

Jon

[Perry M.]

Re: How to clean '63 quarter panel trim

Jon,

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I dug through my old paints and supplies and only found some color for the interior trim and a mason jar(literally) that was labeled "'63 Corvette leather dye". I found other dyes for other cars but can't be sure which one I used for the '63 quarter panel trim. I would not hesitate to go to your paint supplier and have him mix up some dye to match your seat trim or any other part with the same color and apply it to those blotchy quarter panel trim pieces. That is what I did and after inspecting them recently, after some 10 + years, I can't even tell they were dyed. The blotchyness has not come back. Help this helps.

Perry