Headliner suede

[vette427-sbc]

I want to wrap my headliner and A-pillars in black suede and was wondering what the correct type of suede would be for this application. I previously wrapped some parts in some Joann fabrics faux-suede, and it came out nice, but being a T-top car, the sun faded it badly. It was also pretty hard to stretch and fit the contours of some parts.
So whats a decent material to wrap interior parts with?



It came out pretty good when I first did it, but now it is a white/purple looking color from being in the sun for a few months

[garys 68]

get it from an auto/marine fabric dealer
http://www.midwestfabrics.com/
http://www.perfectfit.com/
http://www.garysupholstery.com/products.html
http://www.wsusol.com/search.aspx?SearchTerm=suede
http://www.rochfordsupply.com/index.asp
http://www.miamicorp.com/default.aspx?Page=Home

[vette427-sbc]

It looks like only the last link had suede material, and it was polyester and ultra-suede($$). Is that what auto manufacturers are using for headliners and other interior parts? There are people on ebay selling real suede hides, but there are different weights, pig suede, lamb suede, etc... Maybe one of these would be best?

[vette427-sbc]

After a bit more research, it looks like Alcantara has UV blocking properties to prevent fading in automotive applications. Over $100/yard though!

[WEAVER]

Use ultra suede . It cost yes but it works and last. We use it all the time for headliners

[sniper]

Ultra suede and Alcantara are made by the same parent company. The main difference is the Alcantara has the UV inhibitors, and the ultrasuede does not. Ultra suede is made in Japan, Alcantara in Italy. The other benefit of Alcantara is that you can get it in three forms. Ultrasuede comes in one. Alcantara is the way to gobut ultra suede will save you a couple of bucks. Any of those cheap faux suedes will fade real quick .

[WEAVER]

Ultra has never given us any problems,

[lnirenberg]

I bought the alcantra for my headliner from--
http://www.gulffabrics.com/alcanta.htm

I had alcantra seats in an early '00 Audi S6 that I drove the sh** out of, 100k+ miles, and it held up great--no fade, no stretch, no wear.