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[Joel93]

Hi I'm in the UK I've been doing the apprentice course practicing on think vinyl on a table top machine , now I have stepped up to a walking foot machine, but I'm struggling to find a supplier for automotive upholstery in the UK. How much should I be paying for a leather hide?

[John Long]

I have never bought any because it is so high. It can easily run several hundred dollars US or more per hide. When you compare that to 17 dollars a linear yard for a good vinyl it makes leather a luxury item.

John

[Joel93]

How do I know a quality vinyl?
Thanks

[John Long]

@Joel93, For upholstery you will want a woven back. You will want a nice soft supple feel, realistic grain and shine. All vinyls as far as I know will have a specification sheet published that will give you the weight, chafe resistance etc. Also, it is imperative you use an automotive or marine vinyl in order to have the ultra violet light protection you need.

Most suppliers can give you advice on what will be good for your project and will send out samples for you to look at. I have gone by upholstery shops and looked at their sample books and even ordered from them but if you do expect to pay a 30 to 100% mark up.

I had a friend who retired his shop recently who gave me his sample book for Allante vinyl which is one of my favorites here in the states.

John

[Joel93]

Okay thanks for the information, I'm going to give a couple of supplier's and ask for some samples

[PeterOlsson]

If you have Facebook there is a UK based auto upholstery group. Around 70 members or so. I'm a member even though I'm Swedish

[John]

I have heard that martrim is pretty good.
https://www.martrim.co.uk/