Some of you already know that I am in the middle of changing the interior color on my Se. Instead of adding to that thread I am just posting pictures of the completed dash color change. After I get the dash back in I will follow up with more pictures.

Since the 84-85 models did not come in tan that gives me the patent on this and anyone that is thinking of changing their 84-85 to this color must have my permission first.

FYI, I will be updating the thread in the archives on the removal process of the 84-85 dash since I have found the "Easier" way to do it.

 

Looks really good I am gonna have to look at the other tread agian did you already do the door panles?

 

The panels and seats were out of a 82 GSl that came with the tan interior.

 

I've decided to paint the outside vents and the enclosures for the various switches on the dash(hazard/defog,etc) black to give a contrast look.

Also need input on what you would think with the carpeting being black instead of a tan color.

 

Hey doc .. good work on the updates ... looks lime we're at the same pace of sort ... I actually might be beating you ... All I have left to do is the storage compartment bins, vents, and door panel accessories. If oyu could post pics of the vents and stuff on how they look in the dash it would be awesome.

As for the carpet ... black should go good. Also I will be trying to see how the stock brown one looks like with my tan.

Some things that I've stirred up, the contrast color on my stuff will be beachwood color. wich is like a light brown, and that will only be vynil and headliner stuff. So headliner, little carpet piece on the B pillar (going to be vynil though), door inserts both top and bottom, rear storage bin covers (instead of the carpet once again vynil probably).

Also another thing I was thinking about not sure if you would like to spend your time like that or not .. but Painting all the fake sawing on the dash, center console, and door arms to be painted to a close color to the beachwood to offset things even more. It would be very time consuming as I will have to probably paint them with a very thin hobby paint brush.

One more thing, are you going by the SEM procedure? As in after painting proctecting it with a bumper clearcoat? to be honest i couldn't find any clear bumper clear coat, every other color but clear, so I used trim clear coat, and it is suprisingly pretty flexible too. A little tip that i learned from the paint guy, let the paint flash for about 30 minutes and then apply the clear coat, like this the flex agents in the paint can actually be used with trim clear to give it even more flexibilty. I've been doing excess coats of clear on the items that I know will have lots of wear like the scuff pads, the center console where the Seat belt clip rubs alot, the bottom of the dash where some kicking might occur, around the power window switches, and the arm rest. I would rather spend 14 bucks to get a couple more clear coats on there then having to repair the whole panel again.

lasly, have you done a scratch test on the parts yet? Just curious how easily yours are coming out? I know mine with the clear, I can key it off, but it takes quite a bit force to do it but regular scartching with finrger nails didn't do it.

 

In my Leather Package Miata, it was two-tone tan/dark tan. Objects at mid-point or higher on the dash were black, everything lower was a tan with the carpet, seats, and "cloth" items being the darker camel color. I think that is the best overall look because it keeps the colors in the relative areas. Are you leaving the center piece (stereo area) silver/gray or going another color? I was thinking of a black color myself but not sure how to do the buttons on the vent selector and dials for the air speed/temp.

 

Updated progress;

The dash is now back in and hopefully tomorrow I will be finished.
Notice how I painted the outside vents,the cluster switch trim, the glovebox latch and the stereo surrond and shifter trim black.

This is to go with my color sheme of black carpet. I painted those other items black to give some contrast to the rather large dash area.

dj55b, I used the low luster clear made by SEM. The scratch test was good. Meaning that normal wear and tear will have no effect on the paint.

How's the progress going on yours. Are you going to post pictures up?

 

What color are the seats going to be?

 

Hey doc ... I've got pictures in my own thread ...

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/had-do-another-tan-interior-going-painted-644819/

That black is looking pretty good as a contrast color. I will be posting up pictures of the seats soon when they're all done. My biggest concern as far as rubbing goes, is actually where the seatbelt attach piece rubs against the center console part. It has already left marks in the stock pieces, so not sure how those will really hold up. Hopefully everything should be good though.

 

Similar to the dash.

The seats and door panels are a stock tan color out of an earlier year 7.

 

Lookin' good Al.

 

Looks sharp Doc. You still planning on a mahogany steering wheel?

 

Thanks, RW-7 Not at this time. I don't know if you saw my other thread but I painted the old wheel the same color as the dash.

 

Hey Doc;
If you decide to Dye the Carpet let us know how it comes out.
I have a New Rear peice that I want to change it from Silver-Gray to Black and since I have a Brown interior i'm curios how the combo will look.
Nice job on your interior!!!
sgieldon
steve

 

Thanks for the compliment Steve.

Here is the link to where I dyed the carpets.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/usage-rit-liquid-dye-color-changing-652553/

 

When i tried dying my rear hatch interior pieces i had no luck. They just wouldnt come out as black as the 2 front pieces under the seats did. So i just found a 83 with black interior!

 

If you are refeering to the hatch carpeting it would not take the dye so I used the SEM Aerosol and that works.

 

More pics. Just a reminder to those who don't know. The dash used to be Chocolate brown as well as the carpet.

 

WOW Doc the tan and black look great together. That is a beautiful looking stock interior you should be proud.

 

You got the FD style, Tan & Beige Theme going on!!
I always loved Tan interiors. Very European and classy.

 

Thanks DF.

i'm sooo tired of working on it though. With the nice spring weather here I just want to take a long drive....

Another picture update. Nothing big but another step.

I could of just left the carpet on the bins and shot the whole thing black but going with the Tan/Black theme...... So I removed the carpet from the bins and shot the bins the tan/camel and then shot the carpet black.

Still have some things to finish.
Need to change the color of the carpeting on the bottom of the door panels to black.
Make new front kick/speaker panels.
Make a new hinge for the center console lid and then attach the Factory Mazda padded cushion to it.
Have to locate the steering wheel trim pieces because the PO broke them and glued them back together.
The headliner needs to be dealt with but at this time I am going to wait to finish that. It won't bother me unless I look upwards.
Hopefully I'll finish this up so I can start enjoying driving it.

 

I like this very much I need to do something with my interior.

 

that black carpeting is looking real good. One thing though ... hand brake lever, gear shift and bin doesn't seem to be flowing too good ... but thats just me

 

Recommendations?

 

Hand brake: Black. Shift ****: Black. I think you should get your hands on ones that are actually black though. Since your hands will be on those things the most, less ware from the spray paint. Also I think you need a black wheel too.