Some of you know that I am in the process of changing the color of my interior from Chocolate Brown to Tan.

The previous owner had put a grey wheel in the car so anything I do a this point will be an improvement. I have painted it with the SEM paint with the lighter color called Palomino. I think it may be too light. I have some more of the camel which is a darker color.
Also what do you think if I painted the center cap portion black to give it some offset?

Pictures show before and after to the now lighter Palomino.

Also pictures of the interior changing process.

 

i really like the color of the interior!! it really gives an elegant look to the car's interior. the steering wheel does look a smidge lighter than the rest of the interior but i really don't think the lay person will catch it. i personally would have gone with a black leather steering wheel but thats my preference. i think that the wheel that you dyed/painted looks very good and i'll be excited to see it installed and with a horn button on it!!

 

The camel color that I have is more like the door panels. Do you think I should paint it that color?

 

i personally think it would match better and show a good relationship to the door panels rather than looking out of place every time you see it. you may be the only one who notices but imo, sometimes thats enough to drive you crazy. i find myself fixing the seatbelts and un-twisting them. its only because i notice the little things like that and that i'm pretty **** retentive when it comes to my cars. overall, i really think it would look outstanding if the wheel matched the door panels, but again if left alone, i think it would still look great.

 

I think you should paint it the desert horse color. In the first gens the steering wheels are usually the regular black looking ones, but mostly in all the second gens the wheel matched the dash. Either leave it plain black or at least match the color you are going to paint the dash!

 

Thanks noobie^. FYI the 84-85 models came with the steering wheel matching the color of the interior. The earlier years were the black leather ones. :-)

 

Excuse me your highness for being so rude earlier. Must I call in the jester to request him to do a jig to bring happiness back to your highness'?

 

That's impressive work, I like the choice of color and the workmanship. Are you going to lighten the dash and carpets too? If the paint will hold up on the wheel, that's perfect for what you have going, very original. Even if it wears, it's a simple matter to pull it and touch it up from time to time. What's the exterior color?

 

Ray, I'm going to replace the carpets with tan and remove the dash and paint it the same color as the door panels.

 

Here is the wheel in the darker shade similar to the door panels and seats.
I'm still thinking about painting the center cap black instead of the camel color.

 

lol....well, it seemed like a good idea when it popped in my head, but it doesn't quite look right w/o the center cap...

 

leave the wheel spokes black and paint the cap to match the wheel. itll be a nice contrast and not too much black throwing off the tan.

 

i really do like the wheel a bit darker! i'm eager to see the continuing progress!

 

I wonder how long that paint will last. Summer is coming fast.

 

looks awesome doc

 

That darker color is definatly better ... Now you really have me hyped up to change my interior color. How many Cans Have you gone through right now? Just seeing how much this project is costing. Also about lasting, spraying some armor all on there every few month I think would help keep the color in as it add a clear layer to the parts. Just a thought though.

 

+1

 

It should hold up pretty well if he's using a good quality paint. And besides, if it starts to show a little wear he can just pop it off and give it a quick freshening up with another coat. I like the darker color and although I don't usually like the painting idea because people pick awful colors, this tan looks really good and professionally done.

Nice work Doc, what color is the outside going to be?

 

DJ55, The door panels and seats have not been changed they are from an earlier model donor car. I have done misc plastic pieces only plus the wheel. I can tell you that a 79-83 Dash will take approx 1 can to do. Other parts do not take much as the coverage is excellent with the SEM paint.

Ray, the car is Black.

orion84gsl, thanks for the tip.

Here are some pics of the finished product off and on the car.

 

Very nice work, man! I think you did a fantastic job in choosing the color scheme too. Nice detail work around the Mazda logo. You have something to be proud of there, again sweet job!!

 

MUCH better.

 

Now it just needs a set of tan FD seats. Who is it with the ultimate tan interior? I have a picture in my head of an absolutely prime tan 1st gen interior with the FD seats.. I know your out there somewhere!

 

The camera angle or the light really throws things off. The center picture almost looks yellow, but the last picture taken to the side looks right on. If the color is actually like that one then it looks perfect. I definitely like the black spokes as a contrast . . . makes it really interesting!

 

i think it looks excellent and i'm very impressed with it, doc! looks top notch and goes very well with the rest of the interior!

 

Ok. Update time.
I just now finished removing the dash from hell,lol.

I have seen color schemes with the dash black and the rest of the interior being tan.
Mainly on the Porsche 911.
I would like your input on this. Whether to change the dash color to the camel color which is the same as the steering wheel or do it in black.
Also on the carpet. Black or Tan?

After alot of careful examination on the design of the 84-85 dash board. I have come to the conclusion that the removal of the dash was not intended to be seperated from the frame as the earlier 79-83 models.
My assesment is based on the number of screws that are angled away from the normal assembly points. Meaning that they are facing towards the front of the car instead of the normal from underneath or from straight on.
After trying to access some of these backwards screws and tearing up my hands and inventing new swear words.
I decided to see how much work it would be to just remove the frame with it and leave the inaccesable screws intact.
After removing the 4 outer bolts and the 2 that secure the steering column to the frame. Undoing the various attachment points at the dash frame for the wiring harness.
The dash came out with little or no problems with those backwards screws that are securing the vents in place.