I need to change the color of my convertible top from white to black. My options are 1) to dye or paint the rear curtain and replace the top itself, or 2) just dye both.

I'm aware the topic of vinyl dye/paint has been discussed many times here over the years, SEM paint seems well regarded and preparation is the key to success. I'm also aware that the terms 'dye' and 'paint' are often used interchangeably but are actually different processes, the obvious meaning being that a dye runs right through the material and a paint sits on top. Clearly in theory a dye would be better as it could not wear off. However, some maintain that there is no such thing as a vinyl dye as vinyl cannot absorb a liquid.

OK, my questions!
Is dying OR painting a convertible top realistic?
I know vinyl roofs have been done but a vert top is folded back on itself and when retracted I think the considerable weight of the top forces two (dyed/painted) surfaces of the top against each other, potentially for a long time and in hot environmental conditions. Would a paint or dye hold up? Might I need to re-dye at a later date (and if so, is that really such an issue?)

Does Vinyl DYE actually exist?
A number of manufacturers advertise it, e.g. Varikote, VHT, Duplicolor, etc. They specifically makes statements such as "this is NOT a paint, it is a dye that penetrates the surface...blah blah".
However, some of them also indicate that eventually it might wear off, which doesn't seem consistent with my definition of a dye. Looking at the MSDS they seem to contain Acetone, toluene etc - are they in effect 'melting' the surface to get the color 'penetrating', albeit not going right through the material? If so, is this any better than a good paint?

Buying a new black curtain is not an option right now, but I do have a black top I could use. However the existing top/curtain are still in great shape, I fitted them many years ago and could not guarantee to make a similarly good job next time! So dying the whole thing would be the easiest and safest route - I guess it will depend on whether consensus is that dyeing the curtain alone would last longer than dyeing the whole top (most of the curtain is not exposed and you wouldn't get the surface-to-surface contact), and how long I might expect the whole thing to hold up.

Opinions and experience welcomed!!

Spraycan "dye" is often made for interiors only.
I actually used one of these products on a convertible top and it lasted a long time.
You can try it- and touch it up or redo it occasionally, and then when the top eventually
needs replacement, go with a black one instead.

Thanks, that is good feedback.

Anyone else care to chip in on this topic - including experience with different DYE's? (if they exist )

I used SEM dye back in the early 90's on a old convertible top, it bought me another three years.. The deal is vinyl dye is actually a paint that can flex, to be a true dye it would need to soak into the material but vinyl is non-porous so nothing can soak in....Originally the vinyl is dyed as part of the chemical process when it's being made, after it's made all you can do is put something on the surface...

The more you operate the top the more surface cracks will appear in the dye, it's flexable but folding the top excedes its ability to flex...

Personally if I were finishing a restoration like you are I'd pony up for a new top so I wouldn't have to go back in a few years.. But I also understand money is tight...

Thanks more good info
I thought that SEM only made a paint (not dye), in which case everything you said confirms what I would expect.

Of course if vinyl dye does not exist then everything is a paint no matter what it is called. Hence my question on that - I'm with you that I would have thought you can't dye vinyl as it is non-porous, which is why I posted after finding statements like
"VHT's Penetrating Color Dye is not paint, but a true dye that permanently changes or restores the original color."
and " (Varikote)penetrates into the surface and bonds itself to the molecules changing the pigmentation. Is a dye and not paint".
etc etc.


Yeah I have gone back and forth on the new top - but for now a new glass curtain (shipped to the UK don't forget $$$$$$$$ ) is unaffordable. If it looks feasible then in a sense I may have nothing to lose by trying the dye - unless it looks poor very quickly.

Anything that is going to truely dye vinyl has to be chemically hot enough to soften/alter the vinyl..I'd PM Scott Harms Smith about the likelyhood of that, I know Kyrlon Fusion Paint does something along those lines....

As far as shipping a back glass to england the trick would be find someone shipping a car over & get it put in the trunk.. Or piggy back it to some larger shipment somehow...

If your top is a canvas type of material SEM won't last long on it and they don't have a recomended system for canvas. If it is a vinyl material it should be fine if properly applied.

Everything Wild RT said is on the mark. Vinyl is a solid material and molded (extruded) in color, it's the same color all the way through, any dye or paint will just coat the top. Vinyl is a "dye friendly" plastic, some chemicals can bond to it quite well.

Some dyes/paints will get a better bond than others depending on what type of chemical bond thier chemistry allows. Surface wear is enevidable so expect it to some degree or another.

Canvas (as mentioned in the post above) is a natural fiberous material and will accept dye in most cases so no problems there.

So, bottom line? If you can afford it just buy a new top. If you can't dye will likely get you buy for a while just don't expect it to look like a new top, that would be being unrealistic.

Thanks for replying Scott, so I think that answer confirms there is really no such thing as a vinyl dye - only paint? (using a conventional definition that the the difference is that paint goes on top, dye penetrates through). To be honest I'm surprised those manufacturers make such a categoric statement given that its not really correct....but that is the reason I posted!

As mentioned, I do have a black top I could use, but not a curtain so either way I have to dye/paint the curtain - you actually don't see much of that.

I think I'll get some VHT (which is available over here), test it on some spare bits of vinyl from my top (I KNEW saving those offcuts was a good idea ) and see what it looks like.
If it looks GREAT - I'll spray the top as well and replace as necessary in the future.
If it is only passable, I guess I will install the spare top (more time.....will I ever get this car on the road ).

Sounds like the flaking/peeling I was worried about under heat/pressure from the top is probably not an instant issue, so that is a major plus.

Either way a new curtain can't be in the plan right now...so it will be what it will be..