The content of the article:
- Benefits of a leather interior
- Disadvantages of leather interior
- Which skin is better
- Leather interior care
The car has long ceased to be a simple means of transportation. For some, a car is a sign of taste and prosperity, but for others it is a second home. And it is quite natural that every car owner wants to feel comfortable in his car.
Modern automotive designers pay no less attention to interior trim than to the body of a car. When a potential car owner first meets his "iron horse", he pays attention not to the steering wheel and the number of different buttons, but to how comfortable the seats are.
In this matter, the upholstery material plays an important role. Cars of the middle price segment and "luxury" brands are characterized by interior decoration with artificial or natural leather. The use of this material not only improves comfort but also has a significant impact on the final cost. Is the game worth the candle? Or is the leather upholstery a common gimmick of manufacturers?
Benefits of a leather interior
- If we compare leather and textiles in terms of durability and wear resistance, then leather is far superior to "rag upholstery". The high durability of the leather is beneficial not only from the aesthetic, but also from the economic point of view. Textile upholstery, over time, loses its original appearance and surface integrity. And, naturally, it has to be changed. The leather interior will last for many years and at the same time will look like new.
- Leather seats, unlike textile ones, endure a meeting with the fallen ash or coal of a cigarette. This quality significantly increases the chances of the interior to maintain its original appearance for as long as possible.
- Leather interior is easy to clean. Bringing seats made of leather to the "required" look takes a minimum of time, while the result, as a rule, pleases the owner.
- Well, the last, but at the same time, a significant advantage of leather in a car is the aesthetic side of the issue.
Disadvantages of leather interior
For all its greatness and practicality, leather upholstery has a number of rather serious drawbacks.
- In most cars, leather upholstery is easily soiled. This is due to the color scheme used by designers and manufacturers. This drawback can be eliminated quite simply - by purchasing special cleaning agents, which are abundant in modern stores.
- The skin has a flaw that can significantly spoil the mood of the car owner. The fact is that the leather interior cools very quickly at low temperatures, and just as quickly heats up under the sun. In Luxe and Premium cars, this problem is solved by the presence of material microperforation and seat ventilation.
- Some car owners note that leather seats are not very comfortable to sit on due to the fact that they are slippery. This drawback can be solved in two ways: either put "something soft" on the seat, or be patient and endure this shortcoming.
- Another drawback is also noted by users - human skin sweats profusely when it comes into contact with the skin on which the chair is upholstered. In cars of "luxury" brands, this problem is solved by using the same microperforation.
Which skin is better
If your colleague or friend is bragging about buying a car with a leather interior, you shouldn't rush to add it to the list of "stuck" and look at it with an envious glance.
Most of the cars on the modern market are not made out of the skin of an African buffalo - most often, it is an artificial material.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of natural and artificial finishes? Is it worth overpaying for genuine leather upholstery in a car dealership?
Natural seat upholstery is the most expensive and quality option. She is beautiful, practical, durable. And, of course, the fact that his car is unique warms the soul of the car owner. But not everyone knows exactly how this luxurious upholstery is obtained.
The fact is that when processing natural leather, a large number of a wide variety of chemicals are used... In order to give the hide a presentable look, it is embossed, after which several layers of a special acrylic emulsion are applied. The composition protects the skin from the negative influence of environmental factors and mechanical stress, but at the same time completely blocks air exchange. That is why many owners of cars with leather interior complain about the fact that the body sweats a lot when it comes into contact with the seat.
Many car manufacturers, in an effort to give their "brainchild" a presentable look, but at the same time not wanting to invest extra funds, use artificial leather for upholstery. Leatherette products undergo obligatory processing with plasticizers. These substances "give" this recognizable and not the most pleasant smell to car interiors.
Another disadvantage of a skin substitute is that it releases toxic substances into the air that harm not only the environment, but also human health. The only advantage of leatherette salons is their low cost.
Another option for interior decoration is eco-leather. The word, it would seem, is known to everyone. But not everyone knows what it is, sometimes confusing eco-leather and leatherette.
The basis for the creation of the material is pure cotton fabric. A layer of polyurethane is applied to the canvas. Since the finished material does not need to be treated with plasticizers, the upholstery does not have an unpleasant odor. The polyurethane coating has a large number of micropores, thanks to which the material "breathes". Eco-leather is absolutely safe for both human health and the environment.
Based on the above properties of various materials, it can be concluded that eco-leather is the best option for car upholstery... In terms of durability and safety, it is almost identical to natural material. Moreover, its price is an order of magnitude lower. As for the appearance, only a professional can distinguish eco-leather from natural.
Leather interior care
The leather interior cleaning process includes several stages:
- First of all, the entire seat is cleaned from stains and dust using special cleaning agents. After all the seats have been cleaned, the leather should dry completely. This takes approximately two to three hours, depending on the level of contamination, the substances used, the level of humidity in the room.
The cleaning agent is selected based on the type of leather used and the manufacturer's recommendations. It is not worth experimenting with the compositions, since the same substance can both significantly improve the appearance of the skin and completely ruin the seat.
- After cleaning, apply a skin protectant. It is sold in both spray and liquid form. Each type of skin has its own protective agent. When choosing protection, do not neglect the recommendations of specialists and manufacturers. Before applying the product to the seat, it is best to test the exposure level in an inconspicuous place. After the seats are completely processed, you need to allow the composition to soak - this can take one to two hours. When the product is absorbed, you can use the car.
In order for the cleaning and treatment of the interior to lead to the desired result, it is better to contact a specialist. Fortunately, in every city there is not a single company offering such services. If, for some reason, cleaning is done independently, then it is imperative to use protective equipment for the skin and respiratory organs.
Conclusion
So what is a leather interior - unjustified luxury or comfort?
It all depends on what each consumer puts into the concept of "comfort". If we talk about convenience in the conventional sense, the leather interior is quite comfortable.
But there is a small nuance here. Not all leather can make a car interior comfortable.... If natural or eco-leather is used for upholstery, the interior really becomes comfortable. And if the choice is between the design of the seats with leatherette or textiles, then it is better to choose the second option. Quality materials and the use of suitable care products will make the interior of the car luxuriously comfortable.
