What’s the Difference Between Leather & Vinyl?

Sleek, comfortable seats are one of the most important factors in the car buying experience. It’s the first thing people often notice when getting into your car. Cloth is a popular car fabric, but many people prefer leather or vinyl seats. But what are the main differences between them? There are a few!First, choosing between the two depends on individual preference and budget. But, caring for the two is a whole different story.

As trusted professionals in auto interior repair for Bloomington, we would like to discuss the many benefits to choosing vinyl or leather car seats and how to keep them looking their best for years to come.

When it comes to the care of your interior, leather or vinyl, if anything is spilled on your seats, make sure the mess is cleaned up immediately. Remember that most of the time, tears and rips need to be repaired by professionals who specializes in auto interior repair, like The SeatFixerMN.

Considering leather interior? For those willing to spend a little extra money, leather offers many advantages over vinyl. For one, it is natural product produced from cowhide, making leather the “greener” choice. And, nothing says luxury quite like leather.

No two types of leather age the same, making each leather seat unique. And, leather is much tougher than vinyl, being more puncture resistant. However, to keep leather looking its best, it requires conditioning and professional auto interior repair from time to time. Leather also has a distinctive, pleasant odor; the ultimate in ‘new car smell.’ It is also a porous material making leather seats cooler the summer and far less sticky than their vinyl counterparts.

Remember that most of the wear that leather experiences over the years is a result of the build-up of dirt. That dirt is abrasive, which can lead to scratches and a dulled surface. If you ignore leather care, not only will you see more and more abrasions in the leather but it will also start to crack. And, if leather cracks you will most definitely need to schedule auto interior repair as it will only get worse.

Considering vinyl interior? Vinyl is easier to clean and comes in a wider variety of colors. Since vinyl is essentially plastic, it is more water and stain resistant but far less puncture, burn and crack resistant. Chances are, you are going to need to schedule auto interior repair for them at some point in their lifetime.

There are also at-home vinyl cleaners out there that you can use to keep them looking good in between professional cleaning and repair. When selecting the best cleaner, you should keep in mind that vinyl cleaners are different than leather cleaners.

Are you interested in auto interior repair in the Bloomington area? Call The SeatFixer at 612-590-7870 or contact us to set up a Free Estimate.