Automotive leather immediately gives the car a more presentable appearance. Many people mistakenly imagine that the words “leather interior” mean “full stuffing”. This is not entirely true – the presence of seats of this type already gives reason to say that the interior of the car is already in “leather”. Like all materials used for upholstery, leather has its own characteristics, which may appear during use.

When planning a “re-upholstery”, keep in mind that there is a so-called auto leather. Such skin does not stretch much because… It is distinguished by its rigidity, and the color holds better on it. The general wear resistance is emphasized by the fact that the material does not lose its qualities when exposed to various solvents such as gasoline.

It’s all about technology. Having gone through all stages of production, the product can be treated with a protective layer of polymers. Then there is pressing and “passing” on the rollers (here the pattern is applied). This production algorithm affects the price – a “square” of such leather is ten times more expensive than a piece of the same size intended for shoes. Prices start at $50.

The selection of color and texture must be taken seriously – it is enough to limit yourself to two shades. Pay attention to the thickness of the seam and the color of the thread. A thick and slightly sloppy stitch is more suitable for a sports car, while a fine stitch is distinguished by its neatness.

When “changing” the interior, don’t forget about the airbags. Sloppy work can fail at a critical moment – a “squeezed” airbag will work late or become inoperable altogether. Therefore, the seam in this place should be such that it will not “hold” this device.

“Suede” Alcantara can be a worthy replacement for auto leather. It is easy to clean and less susceptible to contamination. The material is not slippery to the touch. You can often find cars with a combined cladding, where the leather looks harmonious with Alcantara inserts. An important point – when purchasing, ask for the car version, since there is also a furniture version.

7 reasons against leather interiors in cars

For many years, car salesmen have convinced us that there is nothing better than having leather upholstery in your car. Leather has often been seen as a determining factor in purchasing a nice new car. But is it? Is leather the best material to use on car seats? Here are some reasons against auto leather:

1. It’s hot as hell in the summer with a leather interior.

Getting into a car with leather seats after it has been sitting in the sun for an hour or more can be absolutely devastating. The inside of a car left in the hot sun can easily reach 70ºC, and unlike fabric, leather (especially black leather) is excellent at absorbing heat. If you wear shorts, you risk getting a severe burn when sitting in such a salon.

Manufacturers try to combat this problem by offering cooling options that pump air from the cabin through the seat to cool it, but isn’t that the solution? Additionally, the seat cooling system will not work properly until the air inside the cabin cools down first. So prepare to have your butt fried and sweat running down the back of your shirt.

2. Skin can be ice cold in winter.

Just as leather seats are hot in the hot summer, they are also ice cold in winter – and there’s nothing luxurious about that. But at least you still have fall and spring to enjoy the leather interior, right?

Just like seat cooling options in the summer, manufacturers also offer heated seats to improve your comfort in the winter months – but then again, why not upgrade to cloth seats and kill two birds with one stone? Is fabric much cheaper than leather?

3. Leather does not “breathe” like fabric

Have you ever sat down on a leather sofa in the summer, only to find that your body starts sweating within 5 or 10 minutes, forcing you to either move or stand up to avoid getting completely sweaty? This is because when you put skin on skin, there is simply no way for your sweat to evaporate, air simply does not penetrate the skin.

To get around this, some car manufacturers choose to use “perforated leather”, which essentially means that the parts of the seats that you come into contact with will have thousands of tiny holes in them. These holes help provide ventilation and a natural cooling effect, but it also means that dirt and small food particles can get trapped there too. Perforated auto leather also requires more maintenance to keep it in good condition.

4. That unmistakable expensive leather smell is actually just chemicals.

Most people love the smell of a new leather interior, but did you know that what you smell is not actually the smell of 100% leather? In fact, animal skins smell quite unpleasant, so leather products are impregnated with perfumes and chemicals to achieve a much more pleasant smell.

5. Skin requires careful care

High quality automotive leather, also requires more careful maintenance. To keep it looking great and free of stains, you will need to clean it and treat it with specialized leather care products about once a month, or even twice. If you don’t regularly clean and treat your leather, it will eventually show signs of wear and tear due to the sweat, dust and dirt that seeps into it over time. After longer periods of time, the skin may begin to harden and possibly begin to crack.

Of course, fabric seats still require maintenance as well – including vacuuming, steam cleaning, etc. But overall, most leather showroom owners will tell you that their showrooms need a little more attention.

6. You don’t always get true 100% leather.

In the never-ending quest to cut costs, car manufacturers are increasingly using artificial leather, which is actually made from polyurethane. And we’re not just talking about budget cars.
For example, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi are increasingly relying on faux leather in their budget models, and many leading manufacturers sell cars with both real leather and synthetic vinyl seats – and most deliberately don’t specify which. materials actually made the interior.

7. You pay more for prestige.

Leather will always cost you more than fabric, but it’s just a matter of which is more important. Additional costs will largely depend on the quality of the leather. So when you decide to opt for leather seats on your next new car purchase, you better know what you’re paying for. Is this real leather? What about seat backs, sides and headrests?

That extra money you paid for your leather interior should mean your car’s resale value will be a little higher. But there are other factors at play, such as the fact that many used car buyers simply want a reliable vehicle at a low price and may not want to pay for a car with a leather interior.

So, what about you – would you be willing to put up with all the negative aspects to have a leather interior in your car?