Need a source for carpet dye.

[tuscarora dave]

When working on interiors I can get most cars looking brand new with the exception if the floor mat where the driver`s heel grinds the dye off of the carpet leaving the natural color of the carpet fibers in that spot. I`d like to have a gray and a tan carpet dye in stock to use on these areas. Anyone here doing this? Anyone have any ideas where to get such a dye?

[C. Charles Hahn]

I`ve been using SEM ColorCoat for stuff like that; I get them in aerosol cans from the local PBE jobber. If done right, it doesn`t make the fibers hard/stiff like a lot of similar products can and blends great.

[Ron Ketcham]

Good stuff, Charlie.

And, if one has a well stocked AutoZone or O`Reilly`s around their place, many carry the dyes or one`s that may carry a different label, but most are by SEM, just done under private label branding.

Grumpy

[togwt]

As C Charles Hahn stated SEM or Top of the Line (TOTL) for quality carpet dye

[salty]

SEM is OK for an improvement, from my experience, but I could never never make it OEM or worth the effort.



First because there are many different colors and the spray would not penetrate deep enough to totally cover the damage. Heel marks are fiber damage, making it impossible to reverse.



The water based dyes are a better way to treat matts. Whole carpet is a big up sell.

[C. Charles Hahn]

SEM is OK for an improvement, from my experience, but I could never never make it OEM or worth the effort.



First because there are many different colors and the spray would not penetrate deep enough to totally cover the damage. Heel marks are fiber damage, making it impossible to reverse.



If the exact OE color isn`t available in aerosol form (guess I`ve been lucky that I haven`t encountered one I can`t get) they have a mixing system that will allow you to custom mix any color you need and apply it with an airbrush.



In terms of penetration, that`s part of the reason SEM specifies brushing the dye in, spraying from all directions to completely coat the fibers. I`ve found that following up with the steamer after the dye has dried also helps it blend in if you`re not dying the whole mat (or if you`re dealing with the carpet in the car itself).




The water based dyes are a better way to treat matts. Whole carpet is a big up sell.



What sort of water based dyes?

[salty]

I have tried brushing in SEM and found it still did not cover or reach the bottom of the fibres. It made an improvement, but not a total cure.



Top of the line and others sell water based dyes.

[tuscarora dave]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I have a local paint supply that carries SEM products, I`ll have to check over there.