3 Types of Car Leather & How to Identify Them

Five Star Auto Leather / 12 May 2023

Let’s face it – the world of leather is complicated, and plain folks like us are definitely not specialists who can name its every molecular component. But we definitely know enough to help you avoid being led by the nose by any car salesperson. Let us share handy facts about the main types of automotive leather available on the Singapore market and how to identify them yourself.

1. PVC

As you have probably read from our article “A Guide to Car Leather Upholstery in Singapore”, PVC is the most affordable option on the market. This material is made out of a fabric base topped with a layer of Polyvinyl Chloride (thus the name PVC) which is a synthetic plastic polymer. PVC is usually requested for pick-up trucks, vans and rental cars which have to endure heavy duty use.

Look & Feel

– Can have clear grain patterns like leather

– Has a plastic unnatural feel and may feel stiff or harder than other materials

– Tend to get hot fast

Maintenance

– Minimal maintenance

– Spill proof and easy to clean

Durability

Contrary to popular belief, PVC can be pretty hardy! Quality PVC can endure a lot of abuse such as scratches and abrasions

At Five Star, we import high quality PVC with a thickness of 1.1mm (thickness usually ranges from 0.8 to 1.2mm)

Affordability

How to Identify PVC

The fabric backing (see picture above) is the first telltale sign. The second identifying factor is the feel – if you rub your fingers across the surface, the plastic rubbery feeling of PVC is distinctive.

2. MICROFIBER LEATHER

Microfiber leather is a synthetic alternative built to resemble the touch and feel of cowhide leather. This material has a base of ultra-fine bundles of microfibers coated with high performance polyurethane resins. With the latest advances in technology, there’s very little to distinguish it from its cowhide counterpart.

Microfiber leather’s greatest advantage is that you don’t have to compromise on a refined car interior, while at the same time it is cost effective and you can proudly say “No animals were harmed in the making of this car interior!”

Look & Feel

– Look and feels like cowhide leather with a clear and uniform grain

– Soft and lightweight

– Available in many vibrant colors

Maintenance

– Minimal maintenance

– Spill proof and easy to clean

Durability

Quality microfiber leather can last for years – the fineness of microfibers creates not only flexibility, but also durability. Furthermore, high performance synthetic coatings nowadays can engineer superior properties such abrasion resistance, improved air permeability or even anti-UV ray!

Affordability

* Note that automotive microfiber leather shouldn’t be confused with ordinary polyurethane (PU) leather typically used for furniture making. Ordinary PU leather has a fabric base like PVC, and the quality of PU resin used is generally of a lower quality.

How to Identify Microfiber Leather

By touch, you should find it hard to distinguish microfiber leather from cowhide leather. By sight, there are two obvious signs due to the fact that it is a man-made material – (1) the grain is consistent throughout, and (2) the actual leather stock is stored in rolls like fabric and measured in meters.

SPECIAL TIP: How to Identify QUALITY Microfiber Leather

Fold the leather like you’re folding paper. For quality microfiber leather, the crease should disappear fast and is not noticeable after recovering.

At Five Star, we specialize in microfiber leather of the highest quality and durability. Check out this video of us stress testing our leather:

3. COWHIDE LEATHER

Cowhide leather car interiors are increasingly uncommon these days. While we do not discount the advantages of cowhide, the prevalence of cost effective high-quality alternatives and the trend that people are getting more environmentally conscious have made even the luxury car manufacturers rethink their strategies – just check out Artico leather used by Mercedes and Nuluxe by Lexus.

Look & Feel

– Soft yet strong, comfortable and luxurious to touch

– More breathable due to the porous nature of animal hides

– Lower quality cowhide may have visible flaws or scarring

– Colors may not be as vibrant as synthetic alternatives

Maintenance

Requires specialist cleaning and conditioning products

Durability

Quality cowhide leather can last for a very long time, but it can be hard to identify the quality or grade of it without proper research or experience in the field.

While synthetic material will eventually start to crack or peel, quality cowhide will develop a patina from aging instead.

Affordability

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How to Identify Cowhide Leather

Some say that the “leather smell” is a good indicator, but this can be inaccurate sometimes depending on the different chemical processes used to treat the leather.

The easiest way is still by sight. Other than fully corrected grain cowhide, the grain pattern of each piece of leather is unique as every individual animal is different. Actual cowhide leather stock comes in irregular shapes and is measured by per hide.

Ultimately, each type of material has its pros and cons. We recommend dropping by a couple of car leather upholstery workshops to feel their leather samples in person. Take time to consider your needs and budget before deciding on an important purchase which you will have to live with for years.