Suede dash conversion

[mikeedler]

From what I know(and that aint much) they dont use real suede in automotive stuff. It fades and the sun kills it pretty quickly. or so I have read. They use alcantera dont they?

[Erick]

Alcantara is suede isnt it?

[Rocla]

Alcantara is suede isnt it?

Alcantara realy is a brand, not a type of upholtery material.

It's possible that i'm, lost in translation, but what dictionary tells me that suede is same as "mocha leather", meaning that an animal used to wear it before greedy human took it. :)

Alcantara is synthetic material and propably closely same thing as faux suede mentioned earlier.

[M42Technik]

I have a headliner in real suede, and my c-pillars are faded from black to a nice brownlike color. Yes, it does fade pretty quickly.

I'll be taking some sort of fabric spray to make it black again...

[AndrewBird]

I can get real suede for around $40 a hide (roughly 3'x3'). I used some on a steering wheel I recovered, but even with daily brushing, it went to shit. On a dash though it wouldn't be nearly as bad as you wouldn't be rubbing your hands all over it.

[Mastrcruse]

Who's "him"

Sorry, I was saying that I thought I saw a thread that someone did this. Him is just the person that I don't know that does work with suede.

[Majikal]

A thing to remember folks, is that a dashboard has a lot of tight corners and bends in it. Therefore, in order to cover it flawlessly with no lifts, droops, or pinches... you'd have to have a very thin and flexible material. The use of a heat gun helps to a certain extent to loosen the material enough to stretch it a bit, but when it cools it will become taught and likely lift if you're not careful.

Like I said, I just covered the rear luggage tray in black carpet, and it came out great, but before I did carpet on it, I tried some black upholstery vinyl I had laying around and it was just too thick.
Just something to thnk about.

[Brew]

In general, I wouldn't copy anything that those hacks at "Unique" autosport do.

[Garageaholic]

eeeh, it was just an idea

[SA E30]

I've got a leather covered dash... only problem is it's sitting at My mechanics place... cause I'm in no mood to install a dash.

[Garageaholic]

Dude, install it! I want pics too.

btw, nice sig SA-E30!

[LINUS]

In general, I wouldn't copy anything that those hacks at "Unique" autosport do.

+1
I've seen that show 2-3 times, and it's completely underwhelming seeing the talent pool of the staff.

I did see a alcantara dash done in Port Coquitlam - looked pimp for sure.