ways of dying carpets

[airborne_7]

hi i want to dye my carpets, i have the dye just want to know the best way to dye it ive been told a few ways but what will come out best??

[silversideofthemoon]

there was once a section on here under care and detailing about 2007 if you put it in search it may still come up hope you find it as i`m thinking of doing the same in my recent purchase soon

[poolnoodle]

I did mine last year and they came up pretty well. Procedure was:
1. Remove carpet from car
2. Thoroughly clean with high pressure hose
3. Let dry
4. Spray on diluted (see manufacturer specs) dye
5. Agitate pile - I used a plastic cleaners brush
6. Allow to dry
7. Repeat 4, 5 and 6 until desired colour is achieved
8. Rinse the carpet thoroughly to remove any stray dye - don't want this on your "Romes"
9. Vinyl dye heel rest to match
10. Reinstall carpet
11. Admire handy work

Note that the carpet will probably only absorb 2 or 3 coats of dye.
Hope this helps. Will post some pics if I can find them.

[poolnoodle]

Here they are:
Before:

After:

I used the two kick panel pieces in top picture as a practise run - replaced them with plastic items from a later model

[psychochild187]

you died a cream carpet !! oh the waste!

good job of it though

[xavi1980]

i told ya twice!

[poolnoodle]

you died a cream carpet !! oh the waste!

good job of it though

The original carpet was beige - had a few stains (which the dye hid totally) and didn't match my new black/grey houndstooth sport interior.
Only option really

[Bump]

Do you find the carpet a bit crunchy after dying?

[airborne_7]

crunchy? not sure about crunchy but i have noticed its not gone as black as i wanted it to, i cleaned the carpets good and proper and then put a layer on with a spray bottle then a brush to agitate it in as told above, then added a few more coats (about 3-4) before i ran out of the stuff, it does look much much better just not as black as i fort it would be

[FMH]

crunchy? not sure about crunchy but i have noticed its not gone as black as i wanted it to, i cleaned the carpets good and proper and then put a layer on with a spray bottle then a brush to agitate it in as told above, then added a few more coats (about 3-4) before i ran out of the stuff, it does look much much better just not as black as i fort it would be

Still better than having a bog standard grey carpet. Did you leave it for a reasonable time before applying the following coat? I've heard you should allow each stage to dry thoroughly for better results. Not allowing enough time between stages, usually combines all dye and it travels alongside when you brush it, so that could be the reason its not black enough. Maybe?

[matto]

I used the valeters pride stuff on my carpet when I had it out and it looks awesome... hmm that reminds me that I must get some piccies to put up.

[FMH]

I used the valeters pride stuff on my carpet when I had it out and it looks awesome... hmm that reminds me that I must get some piccies to put up.

Please do. Any links to the product and any general application instructions?

[matto]

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=45872

This guy already did that.

[poolnoodle]

Do you find the carpet a bit crunchy after dying?

Mine ended up softer??

Definitely need to let the dye dry as mentioned.
The crucial thing is having the right carpet in the first place - dye won't take to polypropylene carpets used in later E30s (loop pile??) as this material is resists water...and hence dye.
Early E30s had nylon carpet (cut pile) which absorb nicely.
You can easily test this with some water - if it sits on top of the pile, beads and doesn't soak in, neither will the dye. Simples.

[airborne_7]

hmmm intresting ive been dying my carpets and there from a 91 sport so according to your reply my carpet is polypropylene, and infact when i was cleaning it water did sit on the top of the carpet, however like i said it has come out good, BUT i havent rinsed it yet and dont know if i want to be dissapointed now when all that dye just rinses off,
heres the link to the product im using

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLACK-CARPET-DYE- ... 519299c140

[Bump]

got the valeters pride stuff through now. tested a bit and it does look great.

it does however lose the soft carpet feel.

I often lie down on the carpet inside my e30 nuzzling it so not sure this is good news

[FMH]

got the valeters pride stuff through now. tested a bit and it does look great.

it does however lose the soft carpet feel.

I often lie down on the carpet inside my e30 nuzzling it so not sure this is good news

link to the product please?