Interior Upholstery Developments

Have you ever checked out your car's reflection in a storefront window as you're driving by? You're probably like most people and like to see how your ride looks on you, like a new suit or a pair of jeans. Taking that car-as-clothing analogy one step further, the interior can reflect your fashion statement as well. There's a whole new range of products to make your upholstery reflect your personal taste so it's more stylish, enjoyable, and captivating. So what are the latest wrinkles in upholstery? Like that famous line from "The Graduate," it can be summed up in one word: "plastics."

Scratch & Sniff
Vinyl used to be considered the sturdy but practical cousin to the glamorous and upscale world of leather upholstery. Vinyl was dull and dependable; leather was chic and luxurious. Modern petrochemical science has given vinyl a makeover, though, so it's now softer, with a natural-grain texture that's nearly indistinguishable from "all natural" fabrics. In fact, it's so close to leather, it makes you want to sniff for the tannin and check for scars from barbed wire fencing.


Although the softer-type vinyl is not as durable as the stiffer vinyl materials, there has been an improved topcoat technology in the last several years that is closing the gap between the two types. Part of the difference in modern vinyl is in the obviously thicker backing material and increased amount of plasticizers—plus the PVC and urethane topcoat that gives a drier feel like leather. There's also a randomized grain embossed into it. More important, the topcoat provides more durability, compensating for the higher level of plasticizers. There are other advantages of vinyl over leather, such as consistent color, lack of creasing or wrinkling, ease of storage and cleaning, and, perhaps most important, lower cost.


With advances in vinyl, why does leather continue to command so much prestige and appeal in the marketplace? "When you look at high-end vehicles, such as Navigators, Escalades, and BMWs, this clientele demands leather because it exudes quality and elegance," points out Larry Weiner of Performance West Group. "It makes the vehicle look and feel more expensive."

Cost Vs. Value
Weiner is uniquely qualified to speak on the subject of car upholstery, because he was in the leather restoration business for a number of years before he became a custom show-car builder. "But leather is a drawback in a cold climate: It gets stiff and cold, and it loses its natural oils over time, so it's susceptible to dry rot," he continues. "Not only that, there's no such thing as 'new' leather. The animal that it came from wore it for ten years, so it has bug bites and scars from fights and barbed wire."