Re: IML: How do you know if its leather

["Greg and Russell" <65luxuryliner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Steve,

After looking at the link you included in your post, I would say it 
certainly LOOKS like leather to me!  Vinyl doesn't get the natural crease 
marks in it the way leather does.  Yes, vinyl can get some 'crinkles' but 
they don't look like that.

Leather usually feels different from vinyl.  Vinyl often has a manmade 
'texture' or grain to it whereas leather is usually (but not always) smooth. 
Leather is almost always heavier (thicker) than vinyl.  I would say that 
regarding older leather.  The cheaper, thinner leathers that are used in 
today's cars cannot compare to the quality of the older hides in our 
collector cars.  I have found them to be much thinner than the older hides. 
And finally, if there is a way to find a spot on the seat (underside near an 
edge) where you can examine the back of the material you would be able to 
tell.  Vinyl has a man made look to it (sometimes with white or off white 
threads for backing).  The back side of leather seat covers almost has a 
suede look to it.  It looks and feels like a hide and not plastic!

Hope this helps!

Greg McDonnell
'65 Crown convertible

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve B." <imperial59@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 6:13 PM
Subject: IML: How do you know if its leather


> How can you tell for sure if interior fabric is leather or very good
> vinyl?  Normally I look for the "crinkles" that leather gets over
> time.  Looking at this seat cushion
> http://www.imperialclub.com/temp/1959/000_0708.jpg I assume from the
> patterns that it is leather.  Is this a safe assumption?  Any
> non-destructive way to know for sure?
>
>              Steve B.
>
>
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