Question 1

What is plastic dye?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the most misunderstood topics in the industry — even among professionals.
Dyeing plastic refers to adding pigment to plastic resin in its pellet or molten state during manufacturing, before it ever becomes a finished part. In that form, the color becomes part of the material itself and runs completely through its thickness. That’s what dyeing plastic technically is — and it only happens in a manufacturing environment.
In a shop setting, plastic cannot be dyed. The products often called “dyes” are actually specialized coatings designed to bond to the surface of non-porous materials. They are advertised and used as coatings, not true dyes.
When it’s referred to as a dye, that’s usually a sign the person doesn’t fully understand the process, the product, or the substrate they’re trying to color. Plastic doesn’t absorb color — it has to be chemically refinished.

Question 2

Is interior coloring durable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The interior coating system we use has been proven to offer both the most natural OEM-like appearance and the highest durability and chemical resistance in the industry.
We’ve personally tested it many times against every major brand — and several lesser-known ones — and when all of those failed, ours continued to hold strong.

It is important to remember, no color finish is indestructible — regardless of what type of coloring or what your coloring, even the exterior paint on your car. But ours has repeatedly outperformed others under real-world use, UV exposure, abusive testing, and chemical testing. (There is a video of a demo of this in the gallery of our website)

Another key advantage of our system is that it’s non-toxic and environmentally safer, unlike competing coatings that rely on highly hazardous chemicals.

Question 3

What type of supplies do you use?

Accepted Answer

At Carr Designs, we use only professional-grade, trade-exclusive materials — the same products trusted by OEM and high-end restoration facilities.
Our leathers are sourced directly from Europe’s most prestigious tanneries, ensuring unmatched quality, consistency, and craftsmanship. The other materials we use come from respected, industry-leading brands known for their proven performance and reliability.
We also rely on high-performance coating systems — not the low-grade “paints” often used by DIYers or generic shops. Every adhesive, primer, and consumable is selected for maximum strength, longevity, and finish quality.
Beyond just using the right products, we also study the materials and processes behind everything we work with. Understanding how each component reacts, bonds, and performs allows us to apply techniques that consistently surpass industry standards and deliver results that last.
When you choose Carr Designs, you can be confident that every part of your project is crafted using the finest supplies, applied with precision, and backed by deep technical knowledge.

Question 4

Can I buy supplies from you to do the work myself?

Accepted Answer

No. Carr Designs does not resell supplies or materials to customers.
The products we use are professional-grade and trade-exclusive, requiring specific preparation methods, mixing procedures, and application processes that are not intended for retail or DIY use.
Our results come from the combination of specialized products, controlled environments, and refined techniques — not just the materials themselves.

Question 5

Can I send my own supplies or materials for you to use?

Accepted Answer

No. Carr Designs does not use customer-supplied materials or products.
All materials we use — including coatings, adhesives, leathers, foams, and prep products — are professional-grade, trade-exclusive systems that have been tested and verified to meet our standards for durability, appearance, and compatibility.
Outside materials often don’t meet those standards, may not perform correctly with our processes, or can lead to unpredictable results. To ensure consistency and quality, we only use the products we source, mix, and control in-house.

Question 6

What type of vehicles do you work on?

Accepted Answer

We work on any year, make, or model of vehicle — from classic restorations to modern interiors. Whether you need a small repair, a factory-correct restoration, or a complete custom interior makeover, Carr Designs has the experience, materials, and processes to deliver professional-grade results.

Question 7

What is the process from start to finish?

Accepted Answer

Our process is structured to keep every project organized, transparent, and professional from the first estimate request to the moment your finished parts return to you.
1️⃣ Estimate Request
 Every project begins with an estimate request form on our website. Once submitted, your request is reviewed in detail. If we have questions—or just want to confirm certain details—we’ll reach out before generating your estimate. Photos are always helpful for accuracy.

2️⃣ Estimate Review & Deposit Invoice
 When the estimate is ready and you’ve approved it, we send an invoice for a non-refundable deposit to secure your appointment. The deposit amount depends on the size of the job — smaller projects have modest deposits, while large-scale or full interiors require a larger one.

3️⃣ Appointment Confirmation
 Once the deposit is paid, you’ll receive an automated text confirming your appointment. Appointments are scheduled as blocks of time, not exact dates. For example, if your appointment is listed as November 1st, that means your project is planned to begin in early November. We simply ask that your parts arrive within about a week of that date.

4️⃣ Pre-Appointment Check-In
 Several weeks before your appointment, you’ll receive a confirmation message reminding you to prepare your parts for shipment. That’s the ideal time to box or crate them so they arrive just before your scheduled block begins.

5️⃣ Part Inspection
 Once your parts arrive, we perform a thorough visual inspection to assess their condition. We do not disassemble anything at this stage. If the parts differ from the photos or if hidden damage or cost changes are discovered, we’ll update the estimate and seek approval before continuing.

6️⃣ Work Authorization & 50% Invoice
 After inspection and confirmation, we issue an invoice for 50% of the estimate total. Once that’s paid, work officially begins.
 Because this payment covers the labor and materials required to start production, it is non-refundable once work begins.

7️⃣ Restoration, Refinishing & Material Tracking
 All restoration, repair, upholstery, and refinishing work is ongoing. Labor is billed by the hour plus materials, reflecting the actual hands-on time spent working on your specific parts — not rounded estimates or flat-rate pricing.
 We also keep detailed records of all supplies actually used so you’re only billed for materials that were consumed during your project.

8️⃣ Completion & Final Invoice
 When your project is finished, we send a final invoice that includes all prior deposits deducted from the total. If return shipping is required, it’s calculated at that time and added to the invoice. Most final invoices include photos or a short video of the completed parts.

9️⃣ Return & Documentation
 Once the final invoice is paid in full, your parts are released and shipped back to you safely. Every project is returned with hard copies of all paperwork — including your original estimate request, the initial and final estimates, and all invoices related to that job — providing a full record of your project from start to finish.
For more details on deposit policies, see our Deposits & Cancellations FAQ or our Terms & Conditions

Question 8

How do estimates work?

Accepted Answer

Our estimate process is straightforward. We start by preparing a basic estimate based on the information you provide — what you’d like done, the condition of your parts, and any specific materials or custom options you want.

Once your parts arrive, we perform a thorough visual inspection (without disassembly) to verify their condition, material choices, and any unique requirements. If any adjustments are needed after inspection, we update the estimate and resend it for your review and approval before moving forward.

Please understand that estimates are not quotes. We always aim to make them as accurate as possible, but in trade work, hidden issues can sometimes appear once a job is underway. If that ever happens, we always pause and contact the customer before proceeding — nothing moves forward without your awareness and consent.

Question 9

We do we provide estimates not quotes?

Accepted Answer

At Carr Designs, we provide estimates, not quotes, because every project involves unique variables that can’t be known until parts are inspected in person.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, an estimate is “a guess of what the size, value, amount, cost, etc. of something might be.”
 In professional terms, an estimate is an educated calculation based on the information available at the time — condition, materials, and known factors — combined with the experience of the professional preparing it.

A quote, by contrast, is defined by Cambridge as “to state a price or amount that something will cost,” and a fixed price is “a price that will not change after it is agreed.” (Cambridge Dictionary)
 That means a quote is a fixed price commitment — it does not change once accepted, regardless of what is later discovered.

Because restoration and reconditioning work can uncover hidden damage or added steps once parts are fully inspected or disassembled, all work at Carr Designs is billed by the hour plus materials — reflecting the actual hands-on time spent working on your parts, not estimated averages or flat-rate pricing.

Our estimates and invoices are itemized by project area, such as “door panel repair” or “dash restoration,” with detailed bullet points outlining the primary tasks involved — for example, cleaning, repair work, color matching, and refinishing.
 This approach ensures transparency, accuracy, and accountability, while giving customers a clear understanding of what’s included in every stage of their project.

Question 10

What do I do if I am not local and I want to have Carr Designs do the work?

Accepted Answer

A lot of our work is from customers scattered across North America, as well as some other various countries. We often sell customers discounted UPS shipping so they can save some money when sending parts in for work.

Question 11

Do you need my parts to do the work?

Accepted Answer

Yes, whatever you would like worked on must be supplied.

Question 12

Do you sell interiors?

Accepted Answer

No. We don’t sell pre-made or off-the-shelf interiors. Carr Designs provides interior work as a custom service, tailored to each customer’s vehicle, parts, and specifications.
Every project is built around the customer’s own components and preferences — from repairs and restorations to complete custom builds.

Question 13

How accurate are your color matches for both plastics and upholstery?

Accepted Answer

We carry a vast catalog of premium leathers, vinyls, and genuine Alcantara suede — giving us a strong starting point for matching your desired look.
For plastic refinishing, we use advanced color-scanning and mixing tools. We scan your desired reference, cross-check with a library of thousands of color variants, and employ AI-assisted software to fine-tune primary and secondary tones. Finally, we adjust by eye as needed to get as close a match as possible.
With older vehicles — like 1992–1997 Ford trucks, which we often work on — we’ve developed proprietary color formulas based on NOS (new-old-stock) parts. These factory-inspired blends typically match extremely well to how those interiors looked new.
If you prefer your new part to blend in with the existing patina and fade, we can also scan multiple areas (both lighter and darker) of that same part and average the color values. Then we balance the final mix visually to match your interior’s overall appearance.

Note: due to lighting, texture, surface finish, and how human vision works, an absolutely perfect 100% match isn’t always possible — but in practice we come extremely close, and the difference is typically indistinguishable to the eye.

Question 14

Do you document my project?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We document every project from start to finish — including before and after photos, material records, and packaging photos. This ensures full accountability, quality control, and protection for both you and your project.

Question 15

Should I find another part to send in if mine is badly damaged, or does it not matter?

Accepted Answer

It really depends on what you want to do and what you feel comfortable spending. Condition usually isn’t a big deal on our end — we’ve worked on parts in far worse shape than most people expect, and there’s very little that can’t be brought back with enough time and care.
That said, we definitely appreciate when parts arrive in better overall condition. Cleaner or less-damaged cores typically save some repair time and help the process move more smoothly. But at the end of the day, it still comes down to what you prefer — whether that’s keeping your original parts for sentimental reasons or finding donor pieces that might start off a little cleaner.
If you’re unsure which route makes more sense, you can always send clear photos first. We can give you an honest opinion on whether your current parts are worth restoring or if it might make more sense to start with another set.

Question 16

How long do jobs take?

Accepted Answer

Job timeframes depend on the type of project, current workload, and material availability. We don’t rush work — every job receives the time and attention it needs to meet our quality standards.

Carr Designs is a small custom shop, not a large corporation or automated production line. We’re real people performing a highly skilled trade at a level that very few others offer — and that level of precision takes time, not the snap of a finger. Each project moves through multiple stages: repair, prep, upholstery, color matching, finishing, curing, and final inspection — all done carefully by hand.

Our production timeframe begins once your parts arrive and work officially begins, not from the date an appointment is booked. We always aim to stay within the estimated completion range discussed during your estimate, but please understand that custom interior work is a detailed process, not an instant one, and that sometimes things happen that can create unanticipated time to a project or order.

We always recommend that customers plan ahead when scheduling their projects. Due to our consistent workload, new appointments are typically booked well in advance

Question 17

How do deposits and cancellations work?

Accepted Answer

Deposits are required to secure appointments and begin work. They help us reserve production space, plan schedules, and order supplies specific to your project.

All deposits are non-refundable, as outlined in our Terms & Conditions. This ensures that the time and resources allocated to your project are properly covered.
We understand that unexpected things can happen, so if you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact us as soon as possible. We occasionally refund or apply deposits toward future work at our discretion, depending on the situation and how far in advance notice is given.

Once work has begun, any deposits or progress payments made toward that project become non-refundable, as they cover the time, materials, and labor already invested.

Most materials and supplies used in our work are non-returnable from our vendors once ordered, which means those costs cannot be recovered once production begins.
If a client decides to cancel after work has started, all completed or partially completed work — along with any materials purchased or used — remain the property of Carr Designs until the balance due is settled.

These policies ensure fairness for all clients, protect our production schedule, and reflect the real costs and labor involved in professional restoration and reconditioning work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions