When I had my seats redone the upholsterer used SEM on the seat backs. I recently used the SEM kit on my center console and kick panels.

Each piece has easily scratched through to the original color and that’s really just from reinstalling and working around them. I’m planning on doing the dash soon so I’m wondering if there’s a better product out there? I followed directions and pretty sure the upholsterer knew what he was doing. Anyone else have this problem? Is there something better? Tricks or tips?

Using SEM 15013 black over sienna

 

So after 2 hours on this site and google, it seems that I’m the only person that has had issues with the SEM products. So that brings up two things:
1) Am I prepping it wrong(should I try acetone instead of their cleaner?)

2) Is durability there? Turns out great but how long does it last?

 

The problem with coloring plastics is that the color cannot penetrate the surface. Because of this, preparation is critical. Yes, I would use acetone and any other de-greaser, before using their product. There are also solvents available which will dissolve any silicone residue. It only takes one tiny microscopic crack, to start getting the rest of the surface to peel. Luckilly for you, the dash will be less problematic, since, unlike the seats, there will be little demand on the surface through friction with clothing and tools

 

Thanks for the info. I used the sem cleaner and simple green but no acetone because I was
worried that it might “melt” the plastics. I suppose with the age, degreasers may not remove what’s been applied to the surfaces over the years.
I’ll try the acetone on the dash and see where I end up. I’ve been pretty close to ordering aftermarket replacement parts in black.....

 

I'd first apply the aceton onto a spot where nobody's likely to look. If it doesen't appear to harm the plastic, then I would apply it to the rest of the dash. Acetone evaporates very quickly, reducing the likelihood of damaging

 

How long didyou let it cure ? Typical handling time is 24hrs full cure i suspect is closer to several days or a week.

i used SEM to change a green seat cover to black, its been several years and it still looks good, but it had a week plus cure time.

in the past i changed green to blue w good success to. I did use their cleaner but i did use dawn and warm water.

 

Are you using SEM's adhesion promoter after thoroughly cleaning the surface? I've also found that temp and humidity have an effect on how well the paint applies and adheres. Lastly, make sure your hard plastic hasn't begun to deteriorate from age. If you leave a scratch when dragging your fingernail across the surface, it's not going to be resistant to scratches/nicks after you've painted it.

 

I’d say the parts I did sat a week before I reinstalled them. I picked up the seats the day after they were done and they sat in the house for a year

 

I am using the promoter. Temperature could be an issue for the parts I did since it was in the early spring. I did them on a warm sunny day outside but they stayed in the garage which is not insulated.

The plastics are/were in really good shape; just not the color I like.