Alcantara fades in the sun, as on a dash?

Danglerb · 05-06-2008, 11:32 PM

I was at a wholesale upholstery supply, and they told me they don't recommend Alcantara for use in direct sunlight, that it fades in a few hundred hours. Anybody heard this from other sources or first hand?

Seats and door panels they thought would be ok, just not direct sunlight like the dash gets.

911blex · 05-07-2008, 10:24 AM

I would believe this claim to be correct considering that mousehair (like Alcantara) dashes found on Ferrari Daytonas and Dinos fade badly and disintegrate in the sun. You can see what happens by looking at a photo of a newly recovered dash and a photo of an original dash. The new dash looks black and fuzzy and the old one looks gray and smooth.

Nicole · 05-12-2008, 01:03 AM

I would not necessarily use it on a dash, either. Think about all the dust and lint that settles on its rough surface - you'd be cleaning it all the time!

I'd do the A-Pillars, roof and sunroof liners, the upper door trim, and the front sunvisors. Then possibly the corresponding pieces mounted to the hatch, and maybe the interior quarter panels in the back.

On the seats, I'd consider the inside areas, leaving the bolsters leather or vinyl.

Danglerb · 05-15-2008, 07:57 PM

I talked to Rob and Paul, and the feeling I get is cautious optimism. Top manufacturers are using Alacantara now for dashes and other heavy sun areas, maybe in 10 years we will know a lot more.

Reducing the exposure by parking in the shade and using car covers or sun screens seems really prudent regardless of expectation.

Real Alcantara in a top automotive grade may be way more durable than generic ultrasuede products. The stuff I bought was very cheap, $30 for about 12 sqft, but my guess is that its only suitable for maybe the headliner.

I love the feel of the stuff, so I know I'm going to try it.