Where to buy alcantara or suede?

redwards · Postby **redwards** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:42 pm

I'm considering upholstering my dash in alcantara (preferably) or suede (as long as it won't fade). Not going to be an easy job, but the first part is materials.

Does anyone know where you buy this sort of stuff from? Alcantara is not something you get at Spotlight or another of those fabric places... or is it?

Benny · Postby **Benny** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:03 am

Try some of the upholstery supply wholesalers for the alacantra.
Some of the fabric importers may also carry it.

As far as real suede goes, have a look in your local yellow pages for leather suppliers or tanneries.

More than likely, you'll have to deal with a company from either Sydney or Melbourne, as this is where most of this sort of stuff is imported.

Can't really help you with the alacantra much, but if you're looking for real suede, you can try a company called NSW Leather (in Sydney), and you can phone them on (02) 9319 2900

These guys import a lot of upholstery leather for both home use and for cars, and is where a lot of upholsterers go to get their leather as they have a huge range and keep lots of it in stock.

sliq · Postby **sliq** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:49 am

hrmm... i wonder if benny's gearshift and e-brake boots come in suede leather..

kula · Postby **kula** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:38 am

spotlight sell fake suede which can be good...
microsuede

Benny · Postby **Benny** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:34 pm

sliq wrote:hrmm... i wonder if benny's gearshift and e-brake boots come in suede leather..

Only if you order them specially, and are prepared to wait a while for them.

What colour do you want?

sliq · Postby **sliq** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:02 pm

probably in black.. would it cost any more/less than the normal leather one?

Benny · Postby **Benny** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:34 pm

Same price in suede or in leather.

I do'n thave any alacantra though, but if you give me a piece, I'll make a set of boots out of it for you.

Anyone for a set in genuine crocodile?

Casey · Postby **Casey** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:24 pm

That's pretty generous Benny. When I made an enquiry a couple of years ago to get the SP's seats recovered in Alcantara they told me the cost of the material was approximately twice that of good quality leather.

Benny · Postby **Benny** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:04 am

Casey wrote:That's pretty generous Benny. When I made an enquiry a couple of years ago to get the SP's seats recovered in Alcantara they told me the cost of the material was approximately twice that of good quality leather.

Alacantra is around double the price of suede or cheap leather, but really good leather can cost 5 or 6 times that of alacantra.

What most car trimmers call "good leather" is considered pretty poor by luxury handbag and jacket makers.
Most upholstery leather is corrected grain (surface is buffed off using sandpaper) and heavily pigmented.
This covers up a lot of the flaws in the skins.
Really good leather is full grain, with no print on it, either drum dyed or analine finished, and has an almost wet feel to it.
The normal upholstery leather is dry to the touch, but still geels a bit warm in comparison to vinyl which normally feels a bit cold.

sliq · Postby **sliq** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:16 pm

Benny wrote:Same price in suede or in leather.

I do'n thave any alacantra though, but if you give me a piece, I'll make a set of boots out of it for you.

Anyone for a set in genuine crocodile?

OMG.. crocodile skin?! I have a fetish for croc skin!! just afraid of the price tag of it.. :oops:

can you pm me pricing for that benny? cheers mate