Thoughts on seat upholstery
#41
Retired Mech Design Engr
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I suppose if one is going to pay good $$$, should go to NB2 seats first.
#43
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Alright, I'll throw my 2 cents in here, as I looked for seat upholstery a while back. I searched for days, read zillions of threads all over the web and was constantly lead back to a single conclusion. No cloth for you!
There is no off the shelf upholstery kit for the Miata unless you want leather. That solution is Katzkins. They fit nice, last well, and are generally regarded highly by those that have gotten them. Expensive, but worth it according to most.
Cloth? You're SOL. Duetto suck, plain and simple. Poor fitment, cheezy velour (what is this, the 1980's?), no options. People complain of them looking like basic seat covers; baggy, wrinkled, etc. Apparently they stretch, and while looking good initially, they leave a lot to be desired after some use. Note: I have no personal experience with them myself, that is just the general opinion I got from reading other people's posts about them.
The final conclusion was take it to a shop. Amazing no one has come up with a decent kit, but any competent shop can recover the seats. Most places I contacted were quite reasonable as well. Like in the $300 range. Several I went to would try to match the OEM fabric as best they could, but it was all slightly different. Stitching options (contrasting color) was generally no charge.
I ended up getting cheap eBay seats, which I have yet to install.
There is no off the shelf upholstery kit for the Miata unless you want leather. That solution is Katzkins. They fit nice, last well, and are generally regarded highly by those that have gotten them. Expensive, but worth it according to most.
Cloth? You're SOL. Duetto suck, plain and simple. Poor fitment, cheezy velour (what is this, the 1980's?), no options. People complain of them looking like basic seat covers; baggy, wrinkled, etc. Apparently they stretch, and while looking good initially, they leave a lot to be desired after some use. Note: I have no personal experience with them myself, that is just the general opinion I got from reading other people's posts about them.
The final conclusion was take it to a shop. Amazing no one has come up with a decent kit, but any competent shop can recover the seats. Most places I contacted were quite reasonable as well. Like in the $300 range. Several I went to would try to match the OEM fabric as best they could, but it was all slightly different. Stitching options (contrasting color) was generally no charge.
I ended up getting cheap eBay seats, which I have yet to install.
#45
Boost Pope
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Went and searched around, and found a lot of positive stuff on the Duetto. So while I still need to look for a black interior, I can at least ease up on the no-leather-rule while car shopping.
I also found this there, which I kind of like:
(Note that the position of Cat ******** is artificially raised by the fact that passengers will invariably ask "This is an interesting material, what is it?" and there is thus tremendous comedic value attached. It is presumed that the soft fur is left intact on the ********.)
Where along this line would you place Leather (as opposed to "Leather")?
But then I remember, because Duetto.
#46
I put it just below velour because I think the gripping performance of the other materials is better. Now if we factor in style and durability, it's up there with suede and cloth. In my experience, velour isn't terribly durable and neither is suede, but at least suede looks amazing. It is a massive pain to take proper care of, though, and will readily absorb any stain from anything. I have no experience with the durability of cat ******** as a seating surface, though....
#47
I think we need to make a clear distinction here between "leather" and leather. Most American and Japanese cars use "leather" in their seats. European cars mostly use leather. "Leather" is a piece of leather permanently coated in vinyl for "protection" *cough*orthickness*cough*. Leather conditioner won't work on "leather" unless it has cracks that go down to the hide, and then it won't work evenly. You don't need to use leather cleaner to clean "leather." Dish soap, mop'n'glow, whatever you really feel like works just fine. "Leather" wears poorly, gets as sticky and hot as vinyl seats, and dries out and cracks in the sun. Leather is soft and supple, doesn't get hot enough to incinerate one's *** cheeks, and with proper care (the aforementioned leather cleaners and conditioners) will age gracefully with a nice patina and last many years.
I will agree with Joe, that anyone who believes that having "leather" (or vinyl) seats in a roadster should be subjected to forced sterilization. Leather is fine.
I will agree with Joe, that anyone who believes that having "leather" (or vinyl) seats in a roadster should be subjected to forced sterilization. Leather is fine.
#48
Alcantara and Ultrasuede should be on that line, but all the way to the left. If anyone gets some seats reupholstered, you should definately consider this. Think suede properties and feel, but doesn't wear out and get shiny or flake off like real suede. The stuff is amazing. Alcantara is basically Ultrasuede made in Italy with different dyes, and a X2 multiplier on the price.
Alcantara does have a Fire Retardant line of fabric I believe...not that it would save you if your cockpit burst into flames.
Alcantara does have a Fire Retardant line of fabric I believe...not that it would save you if your cockpit burst into flames.
#49
100% true. If I wanted a suede texture for the car there is no way I wouldn't use a synthetic. I have a nice suede leather Raiders (shut up, I hear you already) jacket, and despite multiple cleanings the light grey sleeves are mostly splotchy dark grey on the underside. Ultrasuede and Alcantara are made by the same company in different plants. Alcantara comes in like six different flavors for different uses in the car, while Ultrasuede comes in Milano (upholstery/backing) and Ambiance (panels/no backing).
#50
You seem more familiar with it that I am. I just know that every application I have seen it used in, it has excelled and made owners happy.
Ever since I sat in a reupholstered seat with Ultrasuede bits, I have wanted the stuff. I thought it was brand new, and the owner told me it was a year old at the time. Maybe I should ask him to see it again, now it would be 2 years or so, just to see if its faded, although I don't think this stuff fades very much at all.
Ever since I sat in a reupholstered seat with Ultrasuede bits, I have wanted the stuff. I thought it was brand new, and the owner told me it was a year old at the time. Maybe I should ask him to see it again, now it would be 2 years or so, just to see if its faded, although I don't think this stuff fades very much at all.
#51
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Props given for making me laugh at a joke made at my expense.
#55
tried to replace the seat cushion cover in a honda element once. bought the direct OEM replacement, with hog rings. Can't even describe how much of a pain in the butt that is. Caved and dropped it off at an upholstery place to finish the job. For the effort involved it was worthwhile to me to just get it looking 100%
I think when it's time to tackle my miata seats, I just might get new seats. something a little more comfortable with good bolsters.
I think when it's time to tackle my miata seats, I just might get new seats. something a little more comfortable with good bolsters.
#57
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Hard to believe it's been nearly a year since I started this thread...
Anyway, I don't have any "before" pictures, but you'll have to take me word for the fact that the original blue leather seats in my '04 were in pretty horrid condition.
$200, a Saturday morning drive down to a sketchy neighborhood in Long Island, and one can of Blue Coral upholstery cleaner later:
It's amazing how little things can make such a big difference.
(Yes, there's still a bit of a stain in the pax seat bottom.)
The new top should be here this week.
Anyway, I don't have any "before" pictures, but you'll have to take me word for the fact that the original blue leather seats in my '04 were in pretty horrid condition.
$200, a Saturday morning drive down to a sketchy neighborhood in Long Island, and one can of Blue Coral upholstery cleaner later:
It's amazing how little things can make such a big difference.
(Yes, there's still a bit of a stain in the pax seat bottom.)
The new top should be here this week.
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