My 4Runner comes with red interior. I don't really like the color and it is very dirty. So instead of just cleaning the interior, I was thinking about cleaning it and dying the carpet and painting the plastic parts black. Has anyone done this here? If so, what kind of dye or paint did you use? how was your results?

 

i know someone here has modified their interior by painting it (in a 2nd gen).

as for seats, id just get wet okoles or other seat covers... much better & cleaner than dyeing.

 

The only experience I have with painting the interior is the headliner and sun visors. The paint I used is a 5.99 AutoZone special, maybe DuPont. It made the cloth really stiff though and it took me 5 cans. It does not work on plastic. At all. Since you have a regular cab of sorts, 2 cans maybe 3 will work.

Hope it helps...
Jim

 

Depending of course on your budget and tolerance for perfection... Do it right - Strip it out and prime all the plastic parts and paint them. Splurge and use automotive paint, not spray cans. Spray paint will oxidize and fade very quickly. Unless your carpets are brand new don't bother dying them. Replacement carpet isn't that expensive. Seat covers, cheap or expensive depending on your tastes. I saw some exceptionally nice ones the other day. Wet Okeles- ugly as hell but really comfy and easy to clean. Or have them reuphostered in your choice of fabrics. If you do that, have them Teflon scotchguarded. Great stuff.

 

Actually, SEM makes a really good interior plastic and vinyl primer, paint, and clear coat. I read really good reviews and have seen some good results. Here's a site to a place that sells them. http://store.yahoo.com/yourautotrim-store/semdye.html

 

Looks like just the ticket!