[silverbyte]

Hi guys,
I'm planning to do redo the seat covers of my car. Now Delhi heat is terrible most of the year. Even pure leather is intolerable. Plus, I would like to avoid leather for ethical reasons if possible.

I have been trying to find alcantara - but doesn't seem like most of the shops carry it. In fact, they don't know what it is. Most shop carry some kind of velvet, which I don't like in cars and doesn't look good IMHO.

My idea is to get an artificial leather lined seat, but with the back and seat portion made out of alcantara/microfiber-suede. I would kill to get something that looks like this - https://www.ultrasuede.com/collectio...ail.html?id=16 or https://www.ultrasuede.com/collectio...ail.html?id=18

Any idea what is the closest thing in India to it ? Some sort of durable, microfiber suede that is easy to clean.

I see a few Indiamart links for ultrasuede (which is an international competitor to alcantara...and seems to be manufactured in India!), but I don't know if anyone has managed to source it for their use.

https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail...178187633.html

MOD NOTE - Please CAPITALIZE where required. And please use apostrophes too. dont = don't, doesnt = doesn't.

Thanks.

[condor]

Pls check #31 in this thread:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modif...ml#post5014436 (Elegant Seat Covers)

[silverbyte]

Originally Posted by condor

Pls check #31 in this thread:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modif...ml#post5014436 (Elegant Seat Covers)

Hi - that is fabric which is colored to look like leather.

I'm looking for artificial suede suitable for car upholstery. Generally called microsuede - and the famous brand names here are Alcantara and Ultrasuede.

This is literally a luxury material - at par with genuine leather. However, it is ethical, doesn't heat up at all, stands up better to daily use.

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by silverbyte

hi - that is fabric which is colored to look like leather.

I'm looking for artificial suede suitable for car upholstery. Generally called microsuede - and the famous brand names here are Alcantara and Ultrasuede.

This is literally a luxury material - at par with genuine leather. However, it is ethical, doesnt heat up at all, stands up better to daily use.

Synthetic suede is what it is , It is a cheap material, will wear out soon and make things look ugly. For seat covers go for Neoprene or premium fabric + synthetic leather combination if you do not like full synthetic leather, for other areas you can use synthetic leather of some kind.

Leather is premium, alcantara is marketing.

[silverbyte]

Originally Posted by Kosfactor

Synthetic suede is what it is , It is a cheap material, will wear out soon and make things look ugly. For seat covers go for Neoprene or premium fabric + synthetic leather combination if you do not like full synthetic leather, for other areas you can use synthetic leather of some kind.

Leather is premium, alcantara is marketing.

The microfiber suede is what is used in every top car in the world - like the Lamborghinis.

https://www.lamborghinipalmbeach.com...-is-alcantara/

Here's a video overview of Lamborghini alcantara "fake suede" interior -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhL7j-Kw-94

P.S. you can run the lamborghini car configurator right now and choose Alcantara ! https://configurator.lamborghini.com...eng&country=id

In fact when Tesla dropped alcantara fake suede (due to shortage) - it caused a huge hue and cry. https://jalopnik.com/theres-an-alcan...tar-1825114281

Its so very cool - its a synthetic, recycled material. But its premium. And its better than leather. I like it a lot! Happy to pay a premium for it.

Other brands like Ultrasuede make the same material...but have a less sexy (and less expensive) brand.

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by silverbyte

the microfiber suede is what is used in every top car in the world - like the Lamborghinis.

I'm not against you doing anything you want to your vehicle, it's just that alcantara is a cheap material regardless of who is offering it. It will look rather ugly as it gets worn out. Once upon a time it was Velour, feel free to look it up.

[Indian2003]

Originally Posted by Kosfactor

I'm not against you doing anything you want to your vehicle, it's just that alcantara is a cheap material regardless of who is offering it. It will look rather ugly as it gets worn out. Once upon a time it was Velour, feel free to look it up.

When I went to Poland to get the car interior done, I was offered Alcantera at a much cheaper price than leather. I went for leather.

The guy told me it will look good when new but the looks would not last as long as leather.

[GTO]

Alcantara is used in supercars because it offers superior grip, both on the steering and the seats, so you don't slide around. Its function over form here. Of course, because it gained a sexy reputation, alcantara slowly started spreading to other parts of supercar interiors where grip wasn't required.

In mass market cars, alcantara would look awful IMHO! It would have to be really tastefully / carefully done to look nice.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by GTO

In mass market cars, alcantara would look awful IMHO! It would have to be really tastefully / carefully done to look nice.

If I remember correctly, the 'cheapest' car with Alcantara in India would have been the Skoda Octavia Zeal Edition.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/offic...ml#post3660735

Did the Rapid or any other cheaper ever come with Alcantara?

[gthang]

Originally Posted by silverbyte

My idea is to get an artificial leather lined seat, but with the back and seat portion made out of alcantara/microfiber-suede. I would kill to get something that looks like this - https://www.ultrasuede.com/collectio...ail.html?id=16 or https://www.ultrasuede.com/collectio...ail.html?id=18

Any idea what is the closest thing in India to it ? Some sort of durable, microfiber suede that is easy to clean.

If you have an upholstery guy and just need it in seating area, you can try looking for fabric from regular sofa material shop. Might not be"automotive" grade, which means might not be resistant to fade, but you will get a huge selection of material.

Good luck with your hunt.

Cheers

[nirmaljusdoit]

Originally Posted by silverbyte

hi guys,
I'm planning to do redo the seat covers of my car. Now Delhi heat is terrible most of the year. Even pure leather is intolerable. Plus, I would like to avoid leather for ethical reasons if possible.

I have been trying to find alcantara - but doesnt seem like most of the shops carry it. In fact, they dont know what it is. Most shop carry some kind of velvet, which I dont like in cars and doesnt look good IMHO.

https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail...178187633.html

Alcantara is fancy name for polyester material. It is a trademark of an Italian company. Please google for more details, it is also known as Microfiber, suede etc.

You will get this type of material in shops which sell sofa and upholstery material. Cotton and polyester both options are available. Go for polyester as it will be easier to clean and last longer in your car application.

Not sure where you can get it in Delhi, ask around or visit some upholstery material shop, they will have books of swatches, you can select from that.

[sai_ace]

We had one example of a member who went great lengths to get the original Alcantara in his car. And he has explained in detail what he has done - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modif...interiors.html (My Fiat Linea T-Jet gets Alcantara & Leather interiors)

I have sat in this car - and it was a fabulous experience. And very different from the leather seats in my Tjet.

Originally Posted by GTO

In mass market cars, alcantara would look awful IMHO!

Oh c'mon GTO! you were ravishing the same in a 'mass market' car in the thread above.

Originally Posted by Kosfactor

... it's just that alcantara is a cheap material regardless of who is offering it...

at $110/yard would you still call it cheap?

[Singh101]

Originally Posted by silverbyte

Any idea what is the closest thing in India to it ? Some sort of durable, microfiber suede that is easy to clean.

You could check out the "old city" areas of Delhi and find plenty of old, seasoned tailors and custom leather workers out there. They'll definitely be knowing where to source the suede you're looking for.

If not, then try the following:
https://fabcurate.com/collections/sw...nches-plsw0005

[silverbyte]

Originally Posted by nirmaljusdoit

Alcantara is fancy name for polyester material. It is a trademark of an Italian company. Please google for more details, it is also known as Microfiber, suede etc.

You will get this type of material in shops which sell sofa and upholstery material. Cotton and polyester both options are available. Go for polyester as it will be easier to clean and last longer in your car application.

Not sure where you can get it in Delhi, ask around or visit some upholstery material shop, they will have books of swatches, you can select from that.

Originally Posted by Singh101

You could check out the "old city" areas of Delhi and find plenty of old, seasoned tailors and custom leather workers out there. They'll definitely be knowing where to source the suede you're looking for.

If not, then try the following:
https://fabcurate.com/collections/sw...nches-plsw0005

So I hear these perceptions a lot...but alcantara is not the same is velvet or regular suede. It is a very specific material with over 250 patents on its manufacture. Chinese companies are of course ignoring the patents, but ultrasuede/alcantara is made using a very specific method that gives it its look and properties.

polyester suede/satin/velour don't look good. Alcantara feels and looks like high grade leather suede - the one that comes on your Onitsuka Tiger/Clarks shoes remember? This feels like that.

FYI - alcantara is used in race car steering wheels for their grip.

And ethical to boot!

[sramanat]

I suspect Stanley seating to have leather alternatives. You may try calling Stanley seating. They seem to have a presence in Delhi too.