Hey Guys,

I currently have 4th gen leather seats that are old and tired and I am going to get fixed up. The local upholstery guy says he can redo my entire front and back seats, refill them, do them up with red and black (my car is red exterior black interior), but suggests doing it all in vinyl and he is going to charge $600.00

1. $600.00 seems very reasonable. Is it for vinyl?

2. Also what will I lose in the way of Leather to vinyl? Does it not last as long, not as comfortable? I know that only portions of the 4th gen seats are leather and the rest is vinyl, but wanted to get your opinions.

James

 

$600 is pretty reasonable - but as far as "vinyl" goes, get a price on synthetic leather. It's a type of vinyl, but nearly indistinguishable from real leather. That's what I'll be doing when it's time to renew my interior.

S.

 

my blazer had taht syntectic leather, no one knew it wasnt leather, looked the same, felt kinda the same (keep in mind it was 10+ years old) and after 10+ years it had one small crack in the driver seat

 

im currently modifying my convertables top to hold a glass window, but to get the proper thread, i went to a auto upholstery supply shop..

while i was waiting there, i looked thru the seat coverings they have... there are ALOT of options you have.... from real leather, to syntetic leather that even smells real, to cheap leather grain look stuff..

i would look at the fabric he intends to use and decide if its what you want. if its not exactly what you want, im sure you can find somthing he can use that is exactly what you are looking for.

personally, while i love real leather, i do realize that there are now better things then real leather. they wear better, breath better and last longer.... but the cheaper stuff is far worse then real leather.... so just be sure hes using some quality fabric that you agree with, and you'll be happy

 

I think I am going to ask him what the synthetic leather will cost. I am having him create me custom door panels for windows switches and am trying to keep the entire project under $2k

James

 

There are tons of choices in vinyl that look feel like leather, some IMO feel better than leather. Just go with what you want and ask them what will hold up the best. Real Leather is not the way too go. It doesn't come in yards or rolls, it is priced by the hide and unless you get some really good quality which means even more $$ then there are going to be flaws here and there in the leather which they will have to work around. When I was doing upholstery work, a friend ordered a hide of red leather and it was just barely over cost and it was about $350.