Originally posted by jeffnhiscars
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Alcantara vs Suede
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Current - 1991 E30 325i Auto Vert, 2013 F30 335i M-sport, 2014 F25 X3 M-sport
Past - 1986 E30 325es, 1988 E30 M3, 1991 E34 535i 5sp, 1991 E31 850i 6sp, 1992 E36 325i, 1995 E36 M3, 2000 E46 323i, 2009 E60 535i, 2011 E90 335d
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I did go to Gulf Fabric the other day and it was quite interesting. It's a full city block warehouse with your typical "find th hidden customer door". It's pretty much trade only but they do sell retail. Small showroom with one very efficient and helpful gal taking care of customers.
I showed her the swatch chart I got from my upholstery guy and she gave me charts for both Alcantara and Ultrasuede. In case you haven't read up on these, Toray the Japanese company that invented both, makes ultrasuede in Japan and owns 70% of Alcantara who mfgs in Italy. I studied the color charts while she took care of her trade customers,which gave me the oppty to chat. I asked one guy of Alcantara was worth the extra cost and he asked how many "rubs" my othr swatches were rated for. It was 60,000. The Alcantara is rated at 200,000 according to the astm standards that apply. Worth noting this.
It just happened that an older gentleman wandered out, had a few words with the gal then parked himself on a bar stool across the counter from me. Seems he owned the place so we started chatting. First thing he said was Ultrasuede (trade name product by Toray) is NOT auto grade so won't stand up well to the sun. He also told me Alcantara has cut him off as they ar not supporting the after market at least until their new production capacity comes online in a couple of years. When I asked if that would hurt he said there were times when Alcantara sales carried him through tough times. He also said they have restricted Tesla so if you want Alcantara in that new Model 3 you'd better hurry :)
Bottom line was, he said hands down Alcantara is the way to go. Retail is $113/yd by 57" and he still has inventory on a range of colors. Since I'm thinking 3 yards will be enough th pric doesn't phase me given the nature of the job and overall cost. I've got $450 in the mtech repro, been quoted $900 labor so what's $350 instead of $18/yd fabric rated at a mere 60,000 rubs lol
The top 2 colors ive ruled out since one didn't contrast the seats enough, the other was too similar to the rest of the beige interior. The orange is too bright and th gold just didn't grab me...so,I've pretty much settled on the red. Matches my paint and the existing door accents which I can refresh with my leftover red dye.
Interesting (and useless) factoid...Alcantara makes 2471 acres of fabric/yr which is very close to a square w 2 miles/side
Last edited by jeffnhiscars; 05-26-2017, 04:32 PM.Seat Shocks....I have passed the baton to John Christy from Ninestitch. Email John or Garrett at ninestitch1@gmail.com
https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...86#post4944786
Alice the Time Capsule
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=360504
87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220
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I ordered my Alcantara today. Car goes in June 12.
How fun is that :)Seat Shocks....I have passed the baton to John Christy from Ninestitch. Email John or Garrett at ninestitch1@gmail.com
https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...86#post4944786
Alice the Time Capsule
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=360504
87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220
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imagine black door cards :-)
Seat Shocks....I have passed the baton to John Christy from Ninestitch. Email John or Garrett at ninestitch1@gmail.com
https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...86#post4944786
Alice the Time Capsule
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=360504
87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220
Comment
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Bought 4 yards of the alcantara and have maybe 1/2 yd left. The centers I bought 5 yds and have about 1.5 left.Seat Shocks....I have passed the baton to John Christy from Ninestitch. Email John or Garrett at ninestitch1@gmail.com
https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...86#post4944786
Alice the Time Capsule
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=360504
87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220
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