Kevin Michael

What the hell??

ODSharkBytes

I bet he was referring to a 7-year old horse, popular in parts of Texas if you can find a good stump

Rob M Budd

Alcantara is an Ultrasuede material developed in Italy
Its strong, easy to care for and looks great. It wears very well too.
Black doesn't photograph well though. The Alcatara site has some better images.

This is a set of seats for a Cessna we did in red Alcantara. It feels just like real suede.

Ron_H

What you need to understand is that alcantara provides relief from glare from the pod and dash into the windshield and into your eyes. Check out the old Ferrari fuzzy dash material finishes that were used to prevent glare. This stuff is probably much better and better wearing. I keep a black terrycloth towel handy and place it over the pod when the reflections from the sun are so bad the glare interferes with sight through the windsheild. Alcantara would end all of that, and also provide a means to dissapate heat from the surface of the pod or dash or other surface, keeping it cooler and preventing ultimate cracking. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

scott863

You need a better monitor! Alacantara is a synthetic suede material developed in Italy. It's used on Formula steering wheels, seats, Bentleys, Aston martins, Porsches, Maserati. It feels better than real suede. I'm holding it right now and it has a very solid feel. It could totally be a pod off a new Fer F430. It would be a very cool material for a shifter, might be a little hard to keep clean on something used so often. I got some of the material a while ago to re-line the door pockets, center consoles, and glovebox.

danglerb

Its a ultramicrofiber.

The incredible appeal of Alcantara® stems from a true technological breakthrough, an invention that comes from Japan.
It all started in 1970, when Dr. Miyoshi Okamoto, a scientist working at the multinational Japanese chemical corporation Toray, filed a patent for this innovative material. To tap the full potential of this extraordinary discovery, the Japanese company looked for a European partner to help it tackle the market, and found one in the ENI Group.
Once an agreement had been signed for commercial use of the patent, the material was launched under the brand name Alcantara®.
Alcantara® is based on a unique, proprietary technology, which has yet to be rivalled, and ensures that the product will preserve its one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art features over time.

Rob M Budd

Pod covers start at $249 for vinyl. Leather is $339, Alcantara $399. Installation to your pod is $150.
This includes minor repairs to the pod, engineered foam underlayment and installing the cover.
If I install it, its guaranteed against fading, cracking, lifting or seam unraveling for one year.

Dr.Porsche

I have seen this application in person...and believe you me...FANTASTIC!

Alan

Rob & Paul...

Can either of you comment on the suitability of alcantara material for seats - particularly inserts with respect to comfort, breathability & maintenance (cleaning) Vs leather.

Since I'm in a hot place - leather is often uncomfortably hot - would alacantara be better? - does this come at a price? - e.g. difficulty cleaning it - swat stains etc...

I'm considering recovering my seats and am looking at the options for improved comfort... is a combination of alcantara inserts and leather bolsters / headrest problematic in any way..?

Alan

F451

Beautiful work there Rob.

One question: how does the Alcantra do with dust build up on the pod and dash? How do you deal with that?

Seems like it would not wipe down too well with the suede like material.

Do you vacuum it to keep it clean?

For my cars that have vinyl or plastic dashes, a quick pass with a moiste towel with or without a cleaner, cleans it up nicely.

Thanks. -Ed

Champagne

Alan,

a mix of Alcantara and leather works very well. Porsche uses it as well as most other high end car makers.
You need automotive grade Alcantara, which is treated for both UV and stains.
The surface will not get cooking hot like leather would, and it as the added advantage of keeping you in place since, like suede, it has some "grab" to it.


Paul

Tom. M

The Alcantara comes standard on Volvo's 850 R models and is in my 97 850 R wagon. It has great holding ability and over the 150,000 miles I have on the wagon, it has held up remarkably well. To clean all you need is a lightly wet cloth..and rub lightly. It will take that matted look right back to nice and clean. Mine is in black.so you can't see dirt as much..but I've seen lighter interiors that have held up nicely too.. All in all..I think its a great material for the 928
Later,
Tom
89GT

morganabowen

The pictures look like denim or suede Is it the same leather that is used on the seats?? Please PM me with the details of the cost TIA