The word vinyl brings to mind the hard shiny materials right out of a 50 s diner but vinyl has come a long way.
Vinyl vs leather interior.
Leather is created through the tanning of animal skin or hides.
Some vinyl material so closely resembles leather that sometimes it s difficult to tell them apart.
Vinyl and other plastic coated fabrics will always be a cheap imitation of the real thing.
Naugahyde is a vinyl coated fabric on a jersey knit backing.
The material is very versatile and used in a variety of manners think vinyl records or vinyl flooring.
Leather of course is the real deal.
If you can t afford the real deal then faux leather upholstery is there to fit your budget.
Vinyl simply isn t going to have that effect.
It comes from a cow.
On hot days vinyl seats can reach temperatures somewhere in the range of molten lava so be cautious when you take a seat wearing those cute little shorts.
Leather seating is an investment and in many ways is a better car upholstery material than vinyl.
Why is leather better than vinyl.
The reconstituted or recast leather which i call leather hamburger is typically only about 3 15 leather.
It goes without saying leather is a highly superior product over vinyl material.
Leather upholstery increases the value of both new and old cars.
It s made with nonmigratory plasticizers to retain a soft supple feel and has the appearance of real leather.
Another method that can be used is to use a finger tip and press on the surface of a cushion or area where the leather is applied over a soft padding.
A piece labeled full leather will normally be genuine leather all over including back sides and other trim areas.
Polyurethane vinyl is the material that s usually matched to real leather in these products but fabric chemically treated to resemble leather varieties of synthetic microfiber products and even lesser qualities of cowhide like suede are sometimes used in producing leather match but in most cases vinyl is used.
The rest of it vinyl.
The material is rich flexible and soft to the touch.
Particularly if you have a dark vinyl interior.
Slipping into the leather seats of an older car is like putting on a set of well fitting soft gloves.
It s a waterproof fabric recommended for marine.
Other trim pieces such as sides lower panels etc can be of a vinyl material.
Sailrite offers a variety of faux leather vinyl brands with a wide range of applications and qualities so you can select the one that best suits your project needs.