Leather vs Leather-like
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 54
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From: Anaheim CA
Leather vs Leather-like
What's the difference? (feel, maintenance, durability) I wanted to go towards leather seats when I take care of my interior (I have vinyl right now), but it's kinda expensive. I've noticed some places selling "leather-like" at a much more reasonable price for me. I was wondering if someone has experienced both and could tell me the trade-offs beside price...thanx
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 1
From: Deep in the Heart of Dixie Alabama
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (RedBlazed)
I have had both. I like the leatherette. It looks good and holds up good. It is not as much upkeep as leather. It does not crack.
Here is leatherette I installed a few months ago in a 1971.
Here is leatherette I installed a few months ago in a 1971.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (RedBlazed)
Keep in mind the Chinese, who else, in a drive to be allways the cheapest product out there, have a new process now a daze to split the leather into thinner and thinnner pieces and finish each one to a decent standard...been done for years...but now a daze they laminate some sort of plastic in between to thin leather sheets, and call it leather.....look for it in car interiors soon enough....
of course it's not a strong, long lasting or durable as the real thing....
GENE
of course it's not a strong, long lasting or durable as the real thing....
GENE
Pro
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 737
Likes: 0
From: Windsor Ontario
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (RedBlazed)
Here's a pic of my 76 seats done in the leather-like material. I paid $100 for them from the now defunct John's Corvette. Good quality, but REALLY hot in the sun. Watch the back of your knees getting in your car!
Before
After
I just recently redid my new 86 seats with the leather-like material as well. Here's a couple shots of the before and after:
Before
After
What I like about the 86 is that I got them without the preforations which makes them look alot better! I would recommend getting new foam no matter which way you choose to go. If you need some help with recovering, click on the link below. They do explain the C4 seats, but the ideas the same for the C3 seats:
http://www.mnsi.net/~stingray/116-1671_IMG.JPG
Before
After
I just recently redid my new 86 seats with the leather-like material as well. Here's a couple shots of the before and after:
Before
After
What I like about the 86 is that I got them without the preforations which makes them look alot better! I would recommend getting new foam no matter which way you choose to go. If you need some help with recovering, click on the link below. They do explain the C4 seats, but the ideas the same for the C3 seats:
http://www.mnsi.net/~stingray/116-1671_IMG.JPG
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Aiken SC
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (RedBlazed)
My 2 cents! Being in the leather restoration business. I like Real Leather. It can be RETORED to its original color and feel, OR you can CHANGE its color. We are going from red to Lt Saddle in our 1980 Coupe.
The Cons of leather is IF YOU GET a CHEAP leather you will never be happy. The Leather in 90% of the vettes we send products for is the original factory leather. It is a little worn or dirty or hard. The customer for around $110.00 can restore all the leather interior.
I did a seminar at the cruise in in 2000 at Bowling Green on this subject.
SO, get REAL LEATHER, of course use our products, keep a bar of IVORY BAR SOAP and a BABY DIAPER HANDY ( this helps clean the leather) and you will enjoy the "KING OF INTERIORS" Leather. :cheers:
The Cons of leather is IF YOU GET a CHEAP leather you will never be happy. The Leather in 90% of the vettes we send products for is the original factory leather. It is a little worn or dirty or hard. The customer for around $110.00 can restore all the leather interior.
I did a seminar at the cruise in in 2000 at Bowling Green on this subject.
SO, get REAL LEATHER, of course use our products, keep a bar of IVORY BAR SOAP and a BABY DIAPER HANDY ( this helps clean the leather) and you will enjoy the "KING OF INTERIORS" Leather. :cheers:
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: S.L.C. UTAH USA
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (LRPMAN)
Question LRPMAN LOOKING TO REDO MY 1980 SEATS ECKLERS MID AMERICAN ZIP WILLCOX WHICH DO YOU RECCOMEND IF ONE IS BETTER THAN ANOTHER ANY INPUT WOULD BE WELCOME
THANKS
WAYNE OUT :flag :grouphug:
THANKS
WAYNE OUT :flag :grouphug:
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (lobwedge)
Question LRPMAN LOOKING TO REDO MY 1980 SEATS ECKLERS MID AMERICAN ZIP WILLCOX WHICH DO YOU RECCOMEND IF ONE IS BETTER THAN ANOTHER ANY INPUT WOULD BE WELCOME
THANKS
THANKS
And what nobody has mentioned is that with leather you get the smell of real leather.
:cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (UKPaul)
ECKLERS MID AMERICAN ZIP WILLCOX WHICH DO YOU RECCOMEND IF ONE IS BETTER THAN ANOTHER ANY INPUT WOULD BE WELCOME
THANKS
THANKS
Eddie
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Aiken SC
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (lobwedge)
IDO NOT have a bullet proof answer. The Ecklers product LOOK GOOD but have not seen it in person. Mid America sounds good with the installation of the covers for you. We use http://www.gahh.com for all our pre made leather kits. We use only Connolly hides for our restorations. With Connolly out of business it is going to be a crap shoot on the next car.
On our 1980 (sorry, WIFES 1980) we are just going to redye the interior from red to Lt saddle or Oyster. :cheers:
On our 1980 (sorry, WIFES 1980) we are just going to redye the interior from red to Lt saddle or Oyster. :cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 238
Likes: 10
From: dallas TX
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (LRPMAN)
I got the Ecklers "Driver Quality" Leather seats recently. I can not find any issues with them, THey are pretty much perfect, with no visible leather flaws. I am ususlly pretty picky, and have returned other ecklers merchandise. (There exhausts systems are "Draw bent" not mandrel bent - returned, and their brake console is unworthy of even a Vega.)
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (RedBlazed)
Leather-like outlasts Leather.. Leather also needs a lot of care... so - I went with vinyl leather-like covers on my 68'... So far I have them for 2 years and no signs of wear at all...
:cheers:
Olivier
:cheers:
Olivier
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (Silvr77)
I've got vinyl seat covers that look like leather (don't know what they're sold as because a previous owner had fitted them). They clean up perfectly & look good, BUT the drivers seat cushion had a tiny split in one of the stitched seams when I got it. The split, no matter how careful I am, just keeps spreading. A downside of vinyl :(
Hi Eddie!
Hope everything's :cool: Thanks for the info, I'll look them up when I've recovered from my latest spending frenzy :) Have you got any motorcycle jacket leather cleaner/treatment? I tried it on some leather seats & it cleaned them up really well (far better than the "Leather Restorer For Car Upholstery" that I'd bought!).
:cheers:
Hi Eddie!
Hope everything's :cool: Thanks for the info, I'll look them up when I've recovered from my latest spending frenzy :) Have you got any motorcycle jacket leather cleaner/treatment? I tried it on some leather seats & it cleaned them up really well (far better than the "Leather Restorer For Car Upholstery" that I'd bought!).
:cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 3
From: On an island surrounded by sharks Hawaii
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (RedBlazed)
What's the difference? (feel, maintenance, durability) I wanted to go towards leather seats when I take care of my interior (I have vinyl right now), but it's kinda expensive. I've noticed some places selling "leather-like" at a much more reasonable price for me. I was wondering if someone has experienced both and could tell me the trade-offs beside price...thanx
Thanks everyone for sharing their thoughts and pics.
:cheers: :seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (Ed T)
Ed, I have a 72 that I need to replace the seat covers. I liked the $114 price tag for your leather-like covers!!! Where did you buy them?
Thanks
Mark :chevy
Thanks
Mark :chevy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (UKPaul)
Hi Eddie! Have you got any motorcycle jacket leather cleaner/treatment? I tried it on some leather seats & it cleaned them up really well (far better than the "Leather Restorer For Car Upholstery" that I'd bought!).
:cheers:
:cheers:
Eddie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (Ed T)
Ed thanks for the info. I checked the website for Wilcox Corvettes.. Very good pricing. I am going to give them a try. I have been using Corvette Central, The Last Detail, Corvette Forum and of course good ol' Ebay
Mark :cheers:
Mark :cheers:
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 530
Likes: 11
From: Lewes, Delaware
Re: Leather vs Leather-like (RedBlazed)
I was always under the impression that the leather-like covers would be hard and not as comfortable as a leather covers but it sounds like thay are ok... Good Info! :cheers:
