I understand that the bucket seat backs can be painted? I have deluxe interior buckets for my '68 and am wondering if I should buy repros or paint my 38 year old seat backs? What is recommended for the paint and how well does it adhere and hold up in the interior? If anyone has done this could you describe the process you used to prep and paint these? Thanks Much!

I have an ivory interior and they don't repro the ivory, they have white but it's not the same. I bought 2 sets of white seat backs and sent them back since I was going to have to paint them anyway. I didn't like how they were finished on the edges as well as the color. I then got some SEM vinyl prep and paint made for vinyl and plastic. They make 2 types one for soft like seat covers and the other for plastic. I believe I used the paint NPD sells and their ivory was the right color even though the can was labeled white.

You really don't want to sand the parts because of the grain in the plastic. I used lacquer thinner and a green scotch brite to clean the panels. I knocked down and scars and deep scratches a little but didn't try to feather them out. I figured the panels would look better with a painted over scratch (gives the illusion the color is molded not painted) than a flat spot of sanded down grain if I couldn't fill and reproduce the grain.

Next I applied the SEM Vinyl Prep. It conditions and softens the plastic and promotes adhesion. I painted ivory over black without primer. I was happy with the results and they have lasted about 7 years so far with only slight signs of wear. I almost always have passangers in my back seat and not always ones that see cars as special so I think they have stood the test of time well...

I've painted seat backs, seat hinge covers and headrests and the hinge covers are the only parts that didn't last long. The seat belts seem to have a thing for them...

SEM also makes a dye, I have used it on plastic and metal.It was pricey to start with,about 40 bucks for the whole system.I was very happy with results it is worth looking for.

I have a 69Rs and brought new backs from heartbeat city 11 yrs ago instead of fooling around and painting the darn things. they looked just like the orgs. ernie