<VV> Advice - re-coloring vinyl door panels? Radio/Speaker?

[Ray "Grymm" Rodriguez]

Joe,

     My recent experience with vinyl dye taught me that the stuff does not 
stick on seats (the stuff you get in parts stores anyway), but seems ok on 
parts that don't get normal wear....  I would not use it on an armrest or 
anything that is constantly rubbed or touched, but I think you would 
probably be ok doing the door panel, especially if you can do just the 
stripe.  Clarks sells vinyl dyes that match their interior parts.. that 
would probably be the best way to get the right color.

     As far as the radio upgrade I'll leave it up to others to suggest the 
speaker but as far as the head unit....  CD players are basically replaced 
by ipods/mp3 players.  Most new CD players also have an MP3 input jack which 
means you can do both with the same unit.  It is also possible (not very 
difficult I think) to customize a factory AM radio with an MP3 input.... 
I'm sure someone can direct you to the article/how to I saw probably in the 
communique'.  That would be the cheapest route and retain completely factory 
appearance.

    If you want to go a step further I have lots more to say.  First the 
cheapest custom autosound unit works perfect for me.... 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Corvair-1960-1964-Stereo-USA-2-Custom-Autosound-/320117921652?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4a8883d774

    This would require an external CD player if you have to have one.. but 
there is no reason to spend the money on that....  get an MP3 player instead 
and have ALL your music in one compact item.  The appearance of a "stock" 
installation is just OK.. I didn't find it convincing enough so I built a 
custom face for it from my factory radio....  It looks great but I don't 
have all the kinks worked out yet....  the problem is accessing the top two 
buttons...   My solution was to use my AM/FM radio face and make the AM/FM 
lever actuate the top buttons.  I have to do a little work to get it working 
right but now that I'm aware that I only need the top right button and not 
the top left one the task will be FAR easier.

     I did destroy the face portion of my factory AM/FM radio to make this 
setup....   if I ever do it again I'm going to find a way to make the button 
work with an AM only face so I don't ruin another rare and valuable item.

Ray "Grymm" Rodriguez III
Lake Ariel, PA
CORSA member
66' Corsa 140/4 coupe
65' Corsa 140/4 coupe (under construction and almost done!)
63' Monza PG coupe (under construction- quickie driver build)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Taruffi57 at aol.com>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2010 11:10 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> Advice - re-coloring vinyl door panels? Radio/Speaker?


> My '69 500 coupe has good orig. - but unattractive door panels.  Has a
> white stripe running laterally across the middle of the black panels.  The
> white will clash with the way I am going - in re-doing my interior.   Just
> wondering if I can successfully recolor that stripe and it not be 
> tacky/ugly.
> What dyeing product should I use?
>
> I am also upgrading my orig. AM radio and dashtop speaker.  Any tips  on
> both appreciated.  Need to know what speaker will drop right in.  I  want 
> to
> go AM/FM/CD player.  Or will CD players soon be outmoded?
>
> Joe Dunlap
> Florida
> 2 Pieces of Corvairs - but one coming back together
>
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