I have very nice condition tan carpets in my 1990 240, but they have faded very badly with the transmission hump area almost white and with the rest of the interior getting restored (all new as much as I can buy) I would like the carpets to look as nice as possible as well.

OPTIONS #1
- I would recolor my stock carpets if I could find a product that matched the non sun faded color. Anyone find a product that is a match for the Tan/buckskin/light brown carpets?
- I stopped at my local auto body supply shop and checked out the SEM line of ColorCoat specifically made for such things and they don't offer a color that is even close.
- I haven't found any other brand like Duplicolor that is close in color either.

OPTION #2
- I would spend the money on a new OEM carpet, but they don't seem to be available any longer.

OPTION #3 https://www.ebay.com/itm/1986-91-Volvo-240-GL-Cut-pile-Carpet/371719967897?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=640 699698007&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
- Buying an aftermarket molded carpet and fitting it myself or having a professional fit it. The company linked appears to have a number of shades of brown available and I have asked about getting samples so I can get as close a match as possible to my OEM color that was not faded under the rear seat lip. I know in my BMW forums people always praise OEM over aftermarket, but this brand seems to get pretty good reviews across the board. Anyone have any personal experience? I know time will have to be taken to fit one of these as there are no holes pre cut in the carpet for things like the shifter, E-brake, seat mounts, seatbelt mounts, etc...

OPTION #4
- I would buy used if I could find one in MINT condition, but I highly doubt that I would find an original carpet with no fading, wear, tears, burn holes, stains, etc...


Any suggestions would be welcome, especially from anyone with first-hand experience installing an aftermarket carpet.

 

Tan is the worst interior color on 240s for sun damage, and cracking and stuff.

I'd think you could mix up a carpet dye to match, maybe talk to a professional carpet cleaner shop, (not auto), and see if they have any suggestions.

 

Even on older Mercedes their tan, Palomino, gets the nickname "Pinkomino" because of how badly it fades. Of my three Volvos, black interior, blue interior and tan interior, the tan is by far the one that has worn the worst and the hardest to match aftermarket parts so all the colors, even in tan, are the same shade.

Good advice about the carpet place. I know different materials take dyes differently, so they would be the experts. Taking the carpet out of the car fortunately is pretty easy, so if it has to be "bathed" then that isn't an issue. With my BMW E30's the entire dash and heater box needs to come out unless you cut the carpet around it.

I am sure I will find a solution I just need to be patient and think outside the box.

 

I took my faded tan and used the duplicolor black fabric on it. But I have a mix of black and tan in my car and looks good. Ive slowly been buying black plastic and painting it the SEM Camel and replacing broken pieces. I would think if you wanted to stay tan the SEM Camel will be close enough w.o. anybody noticing. I did my dash in that color and left my doors original tan and it looks good.

 

I actually looked at the SEM Camel and it appeared too yellow. I have since researched some and found there are companies that specialize in re-dying home carpets that will custom match a dye for you if you send them a piece of your carpet. I would take a small piece from under the rear seat that hasn't been exposed to the sun and all faded.

This all being said IF the carpets are made out of nylon, anything else and I have read that these dyes will not take on any other type of material.

 

I stand corrected, SEM Camel is a near perfect match for the leather upholstery kit I have coming. I think the plastic cap on the can I initially looked at must have been faded because the can I bought tonight at Napa is almost a perfect color for the faded carpets.

 

The SEM Camel on the carpets came out much darker. I am thinking it will look OK, but if I were to do them again I think I would try the SEM Palomino.

 

SEM Shadow Blue is a perfect match for the carpets on the cars with the blue interior. I just finished cleaning and re-dying the ones in my 1990 this weekend.

 

I had found most custom car restores can get or make carpet sets for the earlier 240 and 740 cars. I had our 740 replaced when they replaced the leather seat facing. Pretty cheap at $900 for the whole deal.

 

After looking at the darker carpet I feel that I would not be happy with it once installed. Thankfully I have not re-dyed the front carpet, so I will only have to source a rear section, which I hopefully will have in my possession over the next couple of days. Then I will try trhe SEM Palomino which should be a lighter color and match the rest of the interior better. Updates to follow.

 

The SEM Palomino on the carpets matched the Camel used on the plastic very nicely.

 

If speaking from my own experience... tan colors are tough to maintain clean You have to wash the car at least once in 2 weeks! I remember the last time I had such a carpet in my car, it didn't end well... My sister is a brutal smoker, and even though I told her a million times not to smoke in the car, she once did it behind my back. Well, you can guess what happened next. She dropped the cigarette on the carpet and burned a hole in it—a small one, but still a hole. I really liked that carpet, and thanks to these guys radiantcarpetrepairs.com.au, it was as if it was new! Here's their number, if someone needs 0480 022 732

 

Or you can try to not get it dirty. We are stalking about the interior, right?

 

i'm lucky if i can keep my carpets dry let alone clean .. heh..