What you find

I contacted shop4seats. Its a minimum of 2 1/2 month wait on any seats. So for now I guess we look at fabrics etc and order this fall after are summer trip for a winter project.

Got a quote from them also. Lead time was as you describe, that’s what prompted local job.  Didn’t know about Paul’s prices until we had to contact them about arm rest after we had already bought material and delivered seats to local place.

Some time ago, there were several posts about the "ultra leather" flaking problem in PCs.   Ours is a 2013 on a 2012 chassis and luckily our seats and sofa never flaked and still look brand new.   Did we ever determine what years all the flaking occurred?  Tarnold has a 2014 had bad flaking.  We had an early 2013 and no flaking.   I wonder if it was just a bad bunch at the same time or what?   It could have crossed several model years I suppose but I have never been clear on what years were involved, or it may not have been year specific.   Any thoughts or ideas?   I always examine ours carefully when I clean them and 7 years later all is well. 

Paul

Reading other forums I’ve seen mention of 2017 models with the issue. I don’t blame PC or I should say the new owners of PC.  These companies know of the problem, they should have recalled them.

Not sure where this stuff comes from but I do know how places like China manufacturer things. IE if you were to go to them and ask them to build a widget they would ask what you wanted to pay. What your willing to pay determines the quality they produce. So it’s not all their fault. You want cheap crap built, they will comply, you want quality they will build that as well but it won’t be as cheap.  Another example , on one of my assignments in China I stopped to buy some Knick off watches for stocking stuffers for my boys.  They offered three levels of quality yet they all looked the same. A cheap knock off was about 10 bucks and the high end knock if was 50.  The cheapest I had the bezel and crystal fall out the same day. Good laugh with that . The ones for $50 are still working 12 years later. I’m guessing the internals were prob a timex or the like. 

So I can’t help wonder if the same goes for the quality of the leather like vinyl material that’s used? An example of that is the leather in my Ford Fusion. It’s really hard and rough of obvious poor quality. Remember years ago some of the leather used in Chrysler products.  The car might have been junk but the leather was some of the softest supple quality you could imagine.

It could be some manufacturers are still buying the low end pleather?

CLICK HERE for a pole on the subject.

Ron, I’ve seen this, good to have. Reading of newer rigs having the issue makes me wonder if some RV furniture builders are purchasing their material from the lower end? I’ve pretty much decided to go with new seats and I’ve ordered material samples but I’m reluctant to go with any of the fake leather like materials.

Ron, I’ve seen this, good to have. Reading of newer rigs having the issue makes me wonder if some RV furniture builders are purchasing their material from the lower end? I’ve pretty much decided to go with new seats and I’ve ordered material samples but I’m reluctant to go with any of the fake leather like materials.

Go American! 

""Naugahyde®, the pioneer and premium brand in the coated fabrics industry, is dedicated to world-class surface pattern design and technical innovation resulting in products with superior quality, outstanding durability and exceptional performance. Our reputation as a technical innovator is evident by our leading-edge top coat finishes which offer remarkable stain and abrasion resistance. All Naugahyde products are proudly made in the U.S.A. at our Stoughton, Wisconsin manufacturing plant.""

https://www.naugahyde.com/


Available from MANY retailers.   Yes, it costs more.   

Article on leather and faux leather. Some really good info in here.   https://www.sailrite.com/Faux-Leather-Better-Than-Real

Naugahyde would be great but I’m not sure it’s an option when you buying new seats.

I’m reluctant to go with any of the fake leather like materials.

Good decision!

MAKE SURE they don't sell you "Bonded" leather.  Bonded leather flakes worse than the PC vinyl.  Bonded leather is vinyl with  15%-25% tiny leather bits mixed into it.

We shopped around for a good leather couch and learned a lot about the various types and quality of leathers including bonded leather.  It's entry level material that does NOT last at all.  We seen bonded leather couches on display at furniture stores already showing signs of trouble.

There are a few different terminologies for the leather I advise to pursue.  I am familiar with "Top Grain" which is 100% real leather that has a grain pressed into the surface.  It is MUCH more affordable than "Full Grain" because full grain is flawless leather from the start.  Top grain hides imperfections in the cowhide, hence is much more affordable.  Full grain is 3x to 5x the cost of top grain, crazy expensive.  We bought a pair of Amish trestle style recliner chairs for our house with full grain leather.  We actually prefer the feel of top grain leather elsewhere in our house....but that is surely a personal preference.

Ron, oh I’ve seen so many people burnt by purchasing bonded leather.

CACTUS LEATHER! 



https://www.boredpanda.com/vegan-leather-cactus-desserto-mexico/   to read a bit about it


https://www.youtube.com/embed/x4sGOYbHoXo  to watch a bit about it.

Interesting and funny too. Cows drinking water is wasteful with the insinuation cows are only used to produce leather. Odd they left out horses, camels, gators and the like. Oh and the leather doesn’t decompose because of the tanning.  Lots of things don’t  but leather isn’t one of them.  Sell the product, it might be great, and don’t bother with the  infomercial. That alone makes me hesitant.

Interesting and funny too. Cows drinking water is wasteful with the insinuation cows are only used to produce leather. Odd they left out horses, camels, gators and the like. Oh and the leather doesn’t decompose because of the tanning.  Lots of things don’t  but leather isn’t one of them.  Sell the product, it might be great, and don’t bother with the  infomercial. That alone makes me hesitant.

oOps!  Ya sorta got me there. I am much more a 'read it' person than a 'watch it' person....so I never looked at the video. Sorry it displeased you! 

Volk... not displeased, not at all. Might even be a great product. Just got a laugh out of the infomercial.  They claim it lasts up to 10 years but not under what kind of use does it last that long. I’d be interested to read how it’s held up in items like auto seats that get heavy use. I’m not willing to be the guinea paying to find out.