SEM Colorants

[JMUBullnose]

Does anyone have experience with them? I know Luke used a bunch in his truck rebuild. I'd love to repaint my door liners and thresholds. That way they match the nice upholstery my grandfather put in a few years ago.

So. Many. Projects. So. Little. Time.  

[85lebaront2]

I did my dash on Darth, the 1996 dash had a large crack that would not stay closed so I dyed a red 1995 dash Opal gray to match the rest of the 1996 interior.
You can see the unpainted red areas

[Gary Lewis]

I used SEM products on Rusty and the worked and held up well. But the key is the prep. Follow their instructions closely.

[Dyn Blin]

I've use both SEM and ColorBond, the SEM on our Volvo's that have had their interiors mostly replaced with "donors" as the plastic has become brittle and replacements required a paint match.  I've found the local carriers to be very helpful on color-matching, but recently had my closest source stop offering custom rattle can  mixes.  So I decided to try out the custom-mixed ColorBond formulas from LMC for the truck.

I don't have a long experience with the ColorBnd, but I have about a decade with the SEM, and it's held up wonderfully despite the cars going through 3 active teens using the poor Swedish station wagon bricks as defacto trucks.

As Gary mentioned, prep is the key, with a clean surface and careful adherence to directions.

[FuzzFace2]

I have also used SEM products.
First black on another car project but has not been out of the garage yet.

I also used SEM on my truck project dash and will on the rest of the panels when the time comes.

Same as the car has not been out of the garage yet.
I also have to say prep is everything.
Dave ----

[PetesPonies]

Colorbond doesn't have any many colors as SEM. But they do have quite a few Ford colors and possibly other brand colors will match. But I can also say they hold up incredibly well. I haven't found anything better and use them often in restorations.

[ctubutis]

I used it on my brother's SHO and am very happy with it. Like others have already said, preparation is key.

https://www.taurusclub.com/forum/116-aesthetics-interior-wheels-tires/171919-i-agree-book-best-done-two-people.html

[Gary Lewis]

Pete - Do you know what Bullnose colors they have?  Is there a way to figure that out like I did on the SEM colors?  I'm not pushing SEM, but that's the only match info that I have.

[PetesPonies]

No, not per se .  I think we discussed this before. Definitely have a wider choice with SEM, plus they can be mixed at many paint stores.

[Gary Lewis]

Ok, thanks.

[JMUBullnose]

Speaking of color matching - what is the best way to figure out just what color combo you have? (Paint and interior trim). I think there were 3 different reds the year my truck went into production.

[Gary Lewis]

Decode your certification label: Specifications/Certification Label.  The Body Code gives you the interior color.  But, in 1984 there was only one red, and it should show as "D" for the second character in the body code, and it was called Canyon Red.

[JMUBullnose]

Ah crap - I think whoever did the last spray job got a light coat on the label. I'll have to double check tonight and see what can be done.   Located in the driver's door jamb right?

[FuzzFace2]

JMUBullnose wrote

Ah crap - I think whoever did the last spray job got a light coat on the label. I'll have to double check tonight and see what can be done.   Located in the driver's door jamb right?

Yes left door jamb.
If there is paint on the sticker try a little lacquer thinner on a rag and be very very careful not to hurt the sticker.
That is how I got mine clean.


If going to paint a panel or 2 it is best to paint them all so it all matches.
Dave ----

[JMUBullnose]

Perfect! Thanks FuzzFace - I was contemplating what I could use to wipe off paint without damaging the sticker (biggest concern).  Sorry for delay in responding - went on vacation (silly me!).

Anyone know if the stickers can be reproduced so I can replace if I do damage it but am able to pull original info? (Random I know)

[Gary Lewis]

There is supposedly a company that will repro the certification label.  But I don't remember who that is, so hope someone else will respond.

They wouldn't be easily reproduced at home since they are two-part.  The base is just a template that has no info on it, but the clear overlay has the info and info has a tendency to go away when you pull the overlay off.

[JMUBullnose]

Gary - I suppose if I had taken 5 seconds to search for it online I'd of found it!  And lo, behold, I did!

Observe, my brethren...

Not bad at all.

[85lebaront2]

One of the issues with a crew cab, since there is no door post on the front for the sticker, it had to be on the back of the driver's door. Great, until you need to replace a door. Now at least I know where I can get one, I need to see if my favorite MAACO has ever ordered from them and what it will cost for him to order me a new one for Darth. Freedom Ford (now Wynne Ford) in Hampton VA was able to get me a new emission label.

[Gary Lewis]

So it has to be a certified collision repair facility?  Hmmmm.....

[85lebaront2]

No, they just get a better price.