What is the forums opinion on the durability of the new suede insert of the new seats. I know we haven't had a chance to use them yet. But normally, if you have owned anything with suede over the years, it gets matted down and shinny in no time. Jackets, shoes etc. Even when you try to take care of it.
Sitting in a seat and moving all the time seems like we will have a potential eye sore in no time. They will start out looking great, but not for long. Thought's? I'd like to order, but I'm skeptical.

 

I have a suede back pack that is 21 years old and it is in perfect condition. I believe these new Chevy seats will stay in as new condition for the life of the car.

 

Suede has a nice look when new, but IME it goes downhill quickly.

 

First of all, we're not talking real suede here folks; it's just microfiber cloth (a.k.a. Alcantara -and that's the highest quality). And the most insulting part is manufacturers charge the same as leather for that crap, when it provides a significant savings for them. Guess GM said if Porsche does it, why not us ?

Anyway, the seats would be the least of my concerns with 'Alcantara'; they should hold up well if you don't use shorts. The real problem with Alcantara is what you touch with bare skin, like steering wheel, shifter, and hand brake. And yes, everybody's sweat affects it differently, so your experience may vary. It's also hard to clean if you stain it, so I prefer leather. The perfect application for Alcantara is in areas you never touch, like the headliner IMO. Just because of that, I'd pass on the CE, but the new '12 seats (that's what I thought this thread was all about ) look MUCH better, regardless of covering material.

 

So if its just microfiber cloth, why can't it be cleaned with mild soap and water and let dry then brush it?

 

Alcantara is composed of about 68% polyester and 32% polyurethane giving increased durability and stain resistance. The appearance and tactile feel of the material is similar to that of suede, and it may be incorrectly identified as such. High end Alcantara will last many year without showing any wear signs what so ever! It's being used in formula 1 cars now and is treated with fire retardant. I have it in my center section on my custom made seat covers and really like it. Totally locks you into place as opposed to slipping and sliding on leather. It was the main reason I selected that type material over leather in the center sections. Many high end cars like Ferrari and Lambo are now using it... I seriously doubt they would be installing materials that wouldn't stand up to normal use! BTW it cleans up very easy......

Just remember there are various grades of this material with wide variations of what is the high end stuff! Lots of folks calling their material Alcantara which it's not! Bottom line is the only concern I'd have is if I lived in an area where constant elevated temps are experienced.. ie AZ for example! The material can be a little warmer sitting on it I've been driving my car in 90 deg heat without any issues... ie.. sweating! It also doesn't get super hot like leather when sitting in the sun! I really like it but have no idea exactly what material GM is actually using in their seats....

 

Alcantara actually a patented process/product, so in theory if a seat says it uses Alcantara, it can't be anything else. Does GM actually say the Corvette seats are Alcantara?

For those who want to learn a bit more about Alcantara, the product and the company, I suggest you take a look at their website (their name, with ".com" )

On there, they claim the surface remains unvaried even after sitting on it 20,000 times. About maintenance, they recommend the following: (note that this applies generally, so maybe it's a bit different for car seats):

"In order to preserve the beauty of Alcantara, it is recommended that regular clearning be carried out. Don't rub too vigorously, and we don't recommend using steam machines.

Daily cleaning: It is sufficient to dust Alcantara using a soft brush, a dry cloth, or a vacuum cleaner.

Weekly cleaning: After having dusted Alcantara over it. Avoid the use of printed absorbent cloths/papers as they can release ink onto the material.

Yearly cleaning: If the covering is removable, clean it in the washing machine, following the procedure described in the page "General washing instructions". If the covering is not removable, you can use specific products, or -if they are not on hand- dust it with a soft cloth or sponge dampened with clean water. Wring it out well and clean all Alcantara material, taking care not to wet the upholstery too deeply; dampen the cloth in clean water, wipe again, and allow to dry well overnight.

Rejuvenate the material by brushing it delicately with a soft-bristled brush."

Was that too much information?


Geoff

 

Hot damn, even more info, specifically about stain removal!

"For smaller stains, if specific products are not on hand, follow these instructions:

-Act immediately, within 30 minutes of the stain's formation.
-First, remove the substance which has been spilled with a spoon or plastic spatula, if it is dense (yoghurt, jam, etc.), or with a white paper towel or sponge if it is liquid.
-Never pour the cleaning product directly on the material; rather, use a white cloth or a well-wrung sponge (rinse in clean water each time after wiping and wring out well).
-Try to reduce the stain by working from the edge towards the centre; do not scrub hard, otherwise it could spread or penetrate more deeply.

Depending on the type of stain, you can use water, lemon juice, or pure ethyl alcohol (grain alcohol) as a stain removal agent. Please read the treatment instructions below."

They then have an exhaustive list of things (from Coca-Cola to chewing gum) which could cause stains, and how to specifically handle them.

My next article: How to paint toe nails


Geoff