I want to get an SEM or other paint to do my blue dash before I install it. What colors and good sources have other people used in the past?

Also, did the factory wrap the dash vinyl when they vacuum formed the dash or was this one re-upholstered?

Thanks, Tom

 

Yours appears to be the original vinyl covering.....however the factory applied it....vacuum/heat, etc. In other words, yours hasn't been re-covered.

Are you wanting to spray can the paint on or do you have a compressor/spray gun for application?

 

Thanks. I can go either way. If I can get a closer match to the correct color, I can use a spray gun. Is there a paint code for these or do I have to try to match it?

 

Number of options-

>SEM Products - may not make an exact match in spray cans (or sprayable quart cans) but I think they'll custom mix/match if you send them a sample. Not really practical, so....

>Go local - take sample to local auto paint place and have them mix/match some. Still - they may only mix a quart minimum and cost can be high. Price could be fairly high depending on the brand (PPG, DuPont, etc).

>Right in your own state...TCP Global/Auto Color Library. They have PPG codes for exterior and interior pieces and can mix SEM vinyl/plastic paints for the interior colors. They'll also mix PINT cans in many cases so you won't have to pay up for a quart if not needed.

BUT....not sure if there are restrictions on what they can sell/ship IN-STATE. You'll have to call them and find out.

Autocolorlibrary.com or somesuch website.....you'll be able to navigate to the paint chip book pages for your year/model and see code numbers. That's what they'll refer to initially as well.

>Some of the repro vendors sell spray cans and/or pint/quart-sprayable cans but you'd have to check each one and see if they offer it and for what colors/models/years. Places like The Parts Place, etc are what I'm thinking of here.

 

That's great information Pat. It says the PPG Ditzler code is 14104 (flat) for the lower dash, glove box and ash tray doors and it looks like probably 14103 (semi-gloss) for the dash top itself. I just called TCP Global and one pint of SEM mixed to that code is $50. So I don't have to buy two different paints, do you have a suggestion about whether you would chose the semi-gloss or the flat color? It seems like it wouldn't make too much of a difference for a daily driver, but since I have the choice I might as well think about it. nI your experience, do they do a pretty accurate color match?

Thanks, Tom

 

I would go with the semi-gloss for the dashpad. The flat stuff is REALLY flat. I've used both of their SEM sheens - semi-gloss and flat. The dashpad, if shot with the flat, will be just too dull IMO. They did have some sheen to them originally. Maybe not as much as the SEM semi-gloss but again, the flat is just way too flat for anything other than the dash metal and few other areas.

As far as "accuracy" on their color match - how well it matches depends on how PPG's mix formulas result in a "match". They are just going to mix it to the formula the PPG book calls out. Without an actual sample piece to "play with" there's not much else they can do. And the sample piece, being old/faded/dulled out/etc. may have changed slightly VS. the same part when it was new.

 

Great. I'll go with your suggestion and I agree that the factory color already wasn't flat. Plus, I can buy some additional flattening agent if I want to tone it down.

Thanks, Tom

 

As of last June a quart was the smallest quantity they would do.
Hopefully they have changed that. I don't need a quart to paint a dash panel.

 

I spoke to them and a pint mixed to the formula is $50. A quart is $77.65. How much was it 1/2 year ago and were you satisfied with the result?

 

I didn't buy from them, a quart was way more than I needed.

 

Where did you get yours?

 

Haven't sourced any yet. Got bogged down with other stuff.
Struck out at NAPA with the paint codes. They need a 2"x2"
sample which I don't have. My local paint supplier retired and
closed up shop. I have a sheet with the paint chips now but I
don't know if anyone can match paint from that.