[Tigers] Vinyl Dye - vs - Vinyl Paint

[Thomas Witt]

Thank you everyone for the input. I'm finding that there are cans of 
colorant called "dye" but in the end it is basically some form of "paint." 
And, that includes the much revered SEM products.  I just don't think a true 
dye for vinyl exists.

 I have a couple of new cans of Rustoleum black vinyl paint I got at the 
Habitat for Humanity store a while back. Today I quickly sanded a flexible 
vinyl ruler, sprayed two light coats (it covered bright yellow very well) 
and 15 minutes later I bent it, scratched it rather hard and saw no 
cracking, scuffing or paint removal.  So, at $3 a can I'm going forward with 
it. I'm sure the SEM products are good, but with all their cleaners, preps 
and paint it was going to be about $60 to paint a console I bought for $12 
and U-Pull Parts.

Tom

> Is anyone familiar with vinyl dye - vs - vinyl paint?  I have been to car 
> shows and seen demo setups, but generally looking for mechanicals..., I 
> paid little attention.  I have some interior parts that are  soft, pliable 
> (rubber, vinyl???) that I need to change from gray to black.
>
> My experience with vinyl paint has been ok except that I find the painted 
> surfaces seem to stick to each other (like headliners to sun visors) even 
> years after painting.  My hope with the dye was that the "stickiness" 
> would not be present.  Especially since this is for a hinged, console arm 
> rest where two treated parts would be pressing into each other. The other 
> aspect of the dye was that it seems to penetrate the vinyl and not fill in 
> crevices like paint.
>
> Any input regarding experience, products (and where to buy) would be 
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks, Tom