Has anyone found a good interior trim paint match for saddle?

[SSTJ]

I've read every thread I can find on the subject of painting the dash (in my case, the passenger airbag cover), so, I'm trying to put all this info together.

Like on the VIN sticker pictured above, my '97 Sahara has a trim code of M5TJ. From what I understand the M5 refers to the style of seat. So concentrating on the TJ part of the code I called SEM, mentioned the TJ as the trim code and Saddle as the name and I was told the TJ actually refers to Saddle and Moss green interior colors (which my Jeep has). The nice guy at SEM told me the Saddle color of my plastic hard surfaces (dash/door cards) was actually Chrysler "Saddle code T6" which equals SEM code #4976. Does this make sense? Do I have this correct?

I'm planning on visiting a local paint house tomorrow and asking them to mix up some #4976 and put it in an spray can.

Let us know what you find.

If your TJ is indeed a 97, then I think there was only one 'tan' color of that year, which was "Saddle", as you've said. So I don't know why the last two digits of your color code would be TJ, instead of T6 like mine. Are you sure about the "J", or is there any chance that sticker is smudged or something?

The code on my 97 SE is K5T6, and I still haven't gotten around to having any T6 mixed for myself, to see if it matches. But when I do, I plan on taking the Jeep with me so that I can test it before they fill any bottles.

But again, let us know what you find. Most others on this thread were looking for a match on later models. I think you'll be the first to try that color code as a match for a 97 Saddle Tan.

EDIT: I see now that in post #36, @SkylinesSuck has the same interior trim code as you do: M5TJ. Since that color code wasn't a match for him, I don't think it will be for you. But I'm still surprised because I didn't know there was more than one tan color for the 97s.

 

[KuppaT]

I dealt with this exact same issue a few months ago when I was refinishing a door panel. Here is what I learned. Don't depend on the paint codes that the SEM dealers have! The paint that the dealer mixed according the to color code that they had wasn't even close. Take a panel that is the color that you to SEM dealer and have him mix paint to match it. The dealer in Southern California did a perfect match!

Thanks! I'll bring a panel with me to make sure it matches. I will update this thread once I find out more - or get some paint custom matched.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

I dealt with this exact same issue a few months ago when I was refinishing a door panel. Here is what I learned. Don't depend on the paint codes that the SEM dealers have! The paint that the dealer mixed according the to color code that they had wasn't even close. Take a panel that is the color that you to SEM dealer and have him mix paint to match it. The dealer in Southern California did a perfect match!

My local SEM dealer said they couldn't do that. I brought along a panel for them to try.

 

[KuppaT]

Okay, here’s an update. The first photo shows my Jeep’s VIN sticker with the TJ trim code (definitely not T6). The second photo shows the back of the trim piece that goes under the steering column where the label refers to the color as Saddle Tan. Not sure if the TJ on the labels here refers to the trim color or to the TJ Wrangler model itself…

 

[KuppaT]

I took the trim piece to the local SEM distributor this morning. They could not find any TJ Saddle cross reference to a SEM color code. And they brought out SEM color chips but none matched up perfectly. So they offered to make a custom color match for me. The only downside was they couldn’t also put that custom color paint into an aerosol spray can - they only offered it as paint in a can that would need to be sprayed. I don’t have any experience or equipment to do my own spraying, but I figured I can get some cheap spray equipment and watch some YouTube videos and learn how. I’d rather attempt it with the right color, than just settle for a spray can of a close but wrong paint shade.

So the two photos below show the SEM can they custom mixed up for me, and the trim panel. There is a small test section just to the right of my thumb. The color looks perfect to me!

 

[KuppaT]

My local SEM dealer said they couldn't do that. I brought along a panel for them to try.

That really sucks. You'd think a paint dealer would be very open to mixing colors to what their customers needed. Maybe call SEM and tell them their dealer wasn't open to providing that service. SEM might want to have a talk with them.

My local SEM dealer had no issues at all doing this. It took them about 45 minutes and obviously some skill in getting the color perfect, but the guy definitely nailed it. Cost was not cheap (about $55 for the pint), but to get exactly what I needed it was well worth it to me.

 

[SSTJ]

I took the trim piece to the local SEM distributor this morning. They could not find any TJ Saddle cross reference to a SEM color code. And they brought out SEM color chips but none matched up perfectly. So they offered to make a custom color match for me. The only downside was they couldn’t also put that custom color paint into an aerosol spray can - they only offered it as paint in a can that would need to be sprayed. I don’t have any experience or equipment to do my own spraying, but I figured I can get some cheap spray equipment and watch some YouTube videos and learn how. I’d rather attempt it with the right color, than just settle for a spray can of a close but wrong paint shade.

So the two photos below show the SEM can they custom mixed up for me, and the trim panel. There is a small test section just to the right of my thumb. The color looks perfect to me!

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Thanks for sharing. My local guy said the same thing: no aerosol can, just a can of paint that I'd have to spray. So, I'll be right behind you in learning what to buy and how to spray. If you post your lessons learned on how to spray paint in another thread, let me know.

I'm still a little surprised that it matches yours so well, and that you have the same paint code as @SkylinesSuck, whereas it didn't work for him. I was betting that my 97 T6 would finally be the match for that SEM code. Or maybe it's a 97 thing more than a color-code thing.

 

[KuppaT]

Sure, I’d be happy to share how I use that paint which was mixed up for me.

Just to be clear: when I say they custom made me some paint, I mean that they did this by eyeballing the trim piece I gave them and using their skill and experience (and maybe a scanner) they mixed up various tints and colors until the final result came out right. No idea how many attempts it took them. There’s no kind of SEM code that matches what I got (as far as I know).

 

[SSTJ]

Sure, I’d be happy to share how I use that paint which was mixed up for me.

Just to be clear: when I say they custom made me some paint, I mean that they did this by eyeballing the trim piece I gave them and using their skill and experience (and maybe a scanner) they mixed up various tints and colors until the final result came out right. No idea how many attempts it took them. There’s no kind of SEM code that matches what I got (as far as I know).

Got it, ok, that makes more sense.

 

[KuppaT]

Okay, here’s an update. I had a pint of the SEM paint ready to be sprayed, but I had no experience or equipment in how to apply it. I watched YouTube videos and I looked at getting a cheap Harbor Freight paint gun to hook up to my old portable garage air compressor. But once I started learning more about it I realized my air compressor would not be up to the task. I was really wishing the paint supplier could have created some spray cans of the special paint mixture he whipped up. So I started looking into whether I could find some place nearby that could put paint into an aerosol can for me. Then I found the perfect answer - a cheap disposable paint spray system that will spray anything. It’s called Preval Amazing Paint System and I found it on Amazon.

So I thought anyway I’d give it a try. First step was to remove as much of the old sticky paint as I could and prepare the surface. For this I used 91% rubbing alcohol and a bunch of microfiber towels. It took several hours to remove the sticky paint and get to a nice dry surface. I also used the SEM vinyl and leather cleaner to help prepare the surface.

I removed a lot of the dash panels but in the end decided to leave the airbag cover in place and mask up around it. I lifted up the top and bottom of the cover to help expose the panel's edges for the paint. Because I was covering a dark black plastic surface with a lighter paint color, I decided to do a lot of multiple thin coats letting the paint dry for about 10 minutes between coats. I didn’t count but I estimate I did probably seven or eight thin coats to build up the paint.

In the end, the paint match the SEM supplier did was really, really good. And the Preval paint sprayer system saved the day.
I've used SEM brand paint and supplies on other cars I've owned and I highly recommend their products. They are not cheap but they are very high quality and worth it to get good results.

 

[SSTJ]

Okay, here’s an update. I had a pint of the SEM paint ready to be sprayed, but I had no experience or equipment in how to apply it. I watched YouTube videos and I looked at getting a cheap Harbor Freight paint gun to hook up to my old portable garage air compressor. But once I started learning more about it I realized my air compressor would not be up to the task. I was really wishing the paint supplier could have created some spray cans of the special paint mixture he whipped up. So I started looking into whether I could find some place nearby that could put paint into an aerosol can for me. Then I found the perfect answer - a cheap disposable paint spray system that will spray anything. It’s called Preval Amazing Paint System and I found it on Amazon.

So I thought anyway I’d give it a try. First step was to remove as much of the old sticky paint as I could and prepare the surface. For this I used 91% rubbing alcohol and a bunch of microfiber towels. It took several hours to remove the sticky paint and get to a nice dry surface. I also used the SEM vinyl and leather cleaner to help prepare the surface.

I removed a lot of the dash panels but in the end decided to leave the airbag cover in place and mask up around it. I lifted up the top and bottom of the cover to help expose the panel's edges for the paint. Because I was covering a dark black plastic surface with a lighter paint color, I decided to do a lot of multiple thin coats letting the paint dry for about 10 minutes between coats. I didn’t count but I estimate I did probably seven or eight thin coats to build up the paint.

In the end, the paint match the SEM supplier did was really, really good. And the Preval paint sprayer system saved the day.
I've used SEM brand paint and supplies on other cars I've owned and I highly recommend their products. They are not cheap but they are very high quality and worth it to get good results.

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Thanks for the update. Really helpful, at least for folks like me without an adequate air compressor. I have used another DIY fill-and-spray system in the past, but I'll look into this one too.

So you didn't add any additives or thinners to the SEM paint itself? You just prepped the surface as described, poured the SEM into the Prevail, and sprayed directly?

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

Thanks for sharing. My local guy said the same thing: no aerosol can, just a can of paint that I'd have to spray. So, I'll be right behind you in learning what to buy and how to spray. If you post your lessons learned on how to spray paint in another thread, let me know.

I'm still a little surprised that it matches yours so well, and that you have the same paint code as @SkylinesSuck, whereas it didn't work for him. I was betting that my 97 T6 would finally be the match for that SEM code. Or maybe it's a 97 thing more than a color-code thing.

I would bet that the M5TJ is a trim code for the Sahara Edition and the T6 is a trim code for the other Wranglers but both using saddle as the color for the plastic trim.

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

Okay, here’s an update. I had a pint of the SEM paint ready to be sprayed, but I had no experience or equipment in how to apply it. I watched YouTube videos and I looked at getting a cheap Harbor Freight paint gun to hook up to my old portable garage air compressor. But once I started learning more about it I realized my air compressor would not be up to the task. I was really wishing the paint supplier could have created some spray cans of the special paint mixture he whipped up. So I started looking into whether I could find some place nearby that could put paint into an aerosol can for me. Then I found the perfect answer - a cheap disposable paint spray system that will spray anything. It’s called Preval Amazing Paint System and I found it on Amazon.

So I thought anyway I’d give it a try. First step was to remove as much of the old sticky paint as I could and prepare the surface. For this I used 91% rubbing alcohol and a bunch of microfiber towels. It took several hours to remove the sticky paint and get to a nice dry surface. I also used the SEM vinyl and leather cleaner to help prepare the surface.

I removed a lot of the dash panels but in the end decided to leave the airbag cover in place and mask up around it. I lifted up the top and bottom of the cover to help expose the panel's edges for the paint. Because I was covering a dark black plastic surface with a lighter paint color, I decided to do a lot of multiple thin coats letting the paint dry for about 10 minutes between coats. I didn’t count but I estimate I did probably seven or eight thin coats to build up the paint.

In the end, the paint match the SEM supplier did was really, really good. And the Preval paint sprayer system saved the day.
I've used SEM brand paint and supplies on other cars I've owned and I highly recommend their products. They are not cheap but they are very high quality and worth it to get good results.

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Nice job!! This is the first time I have seen the side carpets that came with the Sahara Edition. My 1998 Jeep Looks quite similar with the exception of the seats and the side carpets.

 

[SSTJ]

Nice job!! This is the first time I have seen the side carpets that came with the Sahara Edition. My 1998 Jeep Looks quite similar with the exception of the seats and the side carpets.

You can also buy those from companies like ACC or OC. I actually have a spare set if you're interested.

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

You can also buy those from companies like ACC or OC. I actually have a spare set if you're interested.

Thanks but my carpet and interior gets way too dirty as it is. I just like seeing all the options that came with these things.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Okay, here’s an update. I had a pint of the SEM paint ready to be sprayed, but I had no experience or equipment in how to apply it. I watched YouTube videos and I looked at getting a cheap Harbor Freight paint gun to hook up to my old portable garage air compressor. But once I started learning more about it I realized my air compressor would not be up to the task. I was really wishing the paint supplier could have created some spray cans of the special paint mixture he whipped up. So I started looking into whether I could find some place nearby that could put paint into an aerosol can for me. Then I found the perfect answer - a cheap disposable paint spray system that will spray anything. It’s called Preval Amazing Paint System and I found it on Amazon.

So I thought anyway I’d give it a try. First step was to remove as much of the old sticky paint as I could and prepare the surface. For this I used 91% rubbing alcohol and a bunch of microfiber towels. It took several hours to remove the sticky paint and get to a nice dry surface. I also used the SEM vinyl and leather cleaner to help prepare the surface.

I removed a lot of the dash panels but in the end decided to leave the airbag cover in place and mask up around it. I lifted up the top and bottom of the cover to help expose the panel's edges for the paint. Because I was covering a dark black plastic surface with a lighter paint color, I decided to do a lot of multiple thin coats letting the paint dry for about 10 minutes between coats. I didn’t count but I estimate I did probably seven or eight thin coats to build up the paint.

In the end, the paint match the SEM supplier did was really, really good. And the Preval paint sprayer system saved the day.
I've used SEM brand paint and supplies on other cars I've owned and I highly recommend their products. They are not cheap but they are very high quality and worth it to get good results.

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You solved it!! Almost thinking about making it worth your while to get your guy to mix me up a pint and sending it my way as well. Thanks for finding this and documenting it!!

Nice job!! This is the first time I have seen the side carpets that came with the Sahara Edition. My 1998 Jeep Looks quite similar with the exception of the seats and the side carpets.

Mine came with side carpet too. Weird that such a cheap option wasn't standard on the "top trim" level.

 

[KuppaT]

Thanks for the update. Really helpful, at least for folks like me without an adequate air compressor. I have used another DIY fill-and-spray system in the past, but I'll look into this one too.

So you didn't add any additives or thinners to the SEM paint itself? You just prepped the surface as described, poured the SEM into the Prevail, and sprayed directly?

No additives or thinners. I called SEM tech support (really helpful guy there) before I started and I asked about that. He said the SEM paint should be ready to spray as mixed and should not need any thinner. In fact he didn't even know what would be used as a thinner - so I guess this is never a concern. I shook up the can really good before I opened it and poured into the glass container below the sprayer - that's all the prep I did. Oh, I also asked the SEM guy about whether an adhesion promoter would be needed. He said it is only needed for hard plastic, not needed for the flexible plastic on the airbag cover.

The paint came out of the Preval sprayer pretty much just like a regular can of spray paint - just a little finer spray pattern. And there was no clogging or sputtering during the hour and a half I used it for all the coats. I did take the step of blotting the spray head dry with a paper towel between coats to make sure it didn't dry up and clog but I"m not sure that was needed. There are two simple "rules" on the Preval sprayer instructions once you attach the glass jar to the propellent can: Don't shake it to mix paint, and don't exceed a 45 degree angle while spraying. Simple enough.

 

[KuppaT]

You solved it!! Almost thinking about making it with your while to get your guy to mix me up a pint and sending it my way as well. Thanks for finding this and documenting it!!



Mine came with side carpet too. Weird that such a cheap option wasn't standard on the "top trim" level.

Any SEM dealer should be able and happy to custom mix paint. That's got to be part of being a dealer. Talk to SEM.

Regarding side carpets, my '97 TJ is totally stock with very low miles (just 11K miles when I bought it 3 months ago) so it is pretty much exactly as it left the factory. I didn't realize the side carpets were unusual - but they have caused me a little problem. I read the owner's manual and it said the jack handle/crank was stowed along the bottom of the passenger door opening. I checked and no jack handles were there. Crap! I thought I need to source the handle/crank from eBay or a junk yard. Then, 2 weeks ago I discovered that my TJ did indeed have the jack handle all stored in a little plastic bag - it was just completely hidden behind the carpet in that position. No way to know it's there unless you start pulling carpet out of the Jeep.

 

[SSTJ]

No additives or thinners. I called SEM tech support (really helpful guy there) before I started and I asked about that. He said the SEM paint should be ready to spray as mixed and should not need any thinner. In fact he didn't even know what would be used as a thinner - so I guess this is never a concern. I shook up the can really good before I opened it and poured into the glass container below the sprayer - that's all the prep I did. Oh, I also asked the SEM guy about whether an adhesion promoter would be needed. He said it is only needed for hard plastic, not needed for the flexible plastic on the airbag cover.

The paint came out of the Preval sprayer pretty much just like a regular can of spray paint - just a little finer spray pattern. And there was no clogging or sputtering during the hour and a half I used it for all the coats. I did take the step of blotting the spray head dry with a paper towel between coats to make sure it didn't dry up and clog but I"m not sure that was needed. There are two simple "rules" on the Preval sprayer instructions once you attach the glass jar to the propellent can: Don't shake it to mix paint, and don't exceed a 45 degree angle while spraying. Simple enough.

Got it. How many of those Preval canisters did you use on the job? Do they seem to last about as long as an average rattle-can?

 

[KuppaT]

I would bet that the M5TJ is a trim code for the Sahara Edition and the T6 is a trim code for the other Wranglers but both using saddle as the color for the plastic trim.

That would make sense.

Got it. How many of those Preval canisters did you use on the job? Do they seem to last about as long as an average rattle-can?

I bought a kit of 2 Preval sprayers for $11 and only used one of them - and maybe just used half the propellant in that one. So I think they will last at least as long as a typical spray can.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CW809ZO/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I used very little paint, just about a quarter of the little glass jar.