durability of cloth seats? - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

papabearcamaro · 12-31-2009, 05:58 AM

Definetly like cloth better. Another reason why I ordered a 1SS. Years down the road I want to have the seats look like they all have the same amount of wear to them and you wont get that with leather.

HDDAN · 12-31-2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bert

to you guys and gals who have had your cloth seats for a while: how are they holding up?

trying to decide between the leather and the cloth . . . yes I know the leather "has more class" but I think the cloth is actually more comfortable . . . but the leather generally holds up better over time . . . 6 months isn't long-term durabilty, but long enough to see if there are any real problems

The leather doesn't have more "class", what it has is more VINYL. When I discovered this on my brand new 1998 Z-28 I got very pissed off. The only leather is where your ass and back hit the front seats. (If you don't believe me, go check one out carefully. You will find that most of it is grained VINYL) The driver's seat was a wrinkled mess at 25,000 miles, the passenger seat was half as bad and the rear seats looked new. What a mess. When I ordered my 02 SS I got the cloth and it held up much better than the PLEATHER did. My '10 SS has the cloth and has a little under 3,000 on it and they still look as if no one has ever sat in them. They are made of a durable denim like fabric just like my 87 Camaro's seats and those never showed any wear at all.

Bert · 12-31-2009, 07:32 AM

thanks for the input so far -- I'm glad I asked!

it seems I had some misperceptions about durability . . . this is making me feel better about the 1LT all the time . . .

2010 SSRS · 12-31-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bert

to you guys and gals who have had your cloth seats for a while: how are they holding up?

trying to decide between the leather and the cloth . . . yes I know the leather "has more class" but I think the cloth is actually more comfortable . . . but the leather generally holds up better over time . . . 6 months isn't long-term durabilty, but long enough to see if there are any real problems

The leather is very comfortable, go with the leather, I love mine

DkknightX · 12-31-2009, 09:01 AM

Plastic leather

The term pleather ("plastic leather") is a slang term for synthetic leather made of plastic. A portmanteau of plastic and leather, the term is sometimes used derogatorily, implying use as a substitute for genuine hide to cut costs. Besides cost, pleather may also be preferred because it is lighter than leather, or as an alternative to real leather citing reasons of animal cruelty.[2] Pleather, being made of plastic, will not decompose as quickly.

Not all pleathers are the same. Polyurethane is washable, can be dry-cleaned and allows some air to flow through the garment.[citation needed] PVC pleather in contrast does not "breathe" and is difficult to clean. PVC cannot be dry-cleaned because the cleaning solvents can make the PVC unbearably stiff.

Right from Wikipedia.

Pleather is designed to last longer than real leather so any misconceptions about "pleather" not holding up well is a misconception. It all boils down to care and maintenance. I clean and oil my seats with Zaino Z-9 and Z-10 faithfully about every 10-15 cruises and my seats look and smell fantastic! I also have 2500+ miles on the car. For those with IOM interior, check the slight creasing on your driver's seat along the side/edge of the seat. It usually begins turning black (mine started to but I keep up on the cleaning) pretty quickly. Anybody else with IOM notice this? To the OP, if you select leather, you won't be disappointed, but you can select black to keep discoloration from being obvious, but if you go with IOM, you'll need to keep your seats pristine with good cleaning!

Johnny1 · 12-31-2009, 09:10 AM

If you have to have leather that was one of the things people liked about the GTO. My 05 was blue with blue interior. It was georgeous inside. And I think maybe the only GM (austrailian Monaro) car that was all leather. The complete seats front and back. But they're also having trouble with the seams coming apart on the headrests on the back seats from heat.

DkknightX · 12-31-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny1

If you have to have leather that was one of the things people liked about the GTO. My 05 was blue with blue interior. It was georgeous inside. And I think maybe the only GM (austrailian Monaro) car that was all leather. The complete seats front and back. But they're also having trouble with the seams coming apart on the headrests on the back seats from heat.

The GTO leather interior was very plush, comfortable and gorgeous. I looked at one yesterday while I went to a local dealership. They had one used. Even the leather around the shift stick was awesome. Would LOVE to have that quality of leather in my Camaro.

Rickie · 12-31-2009, 09:17 AM

I would imagine that the light grey leather seats will be the worse for ware after time. Anyone have the light grey cloth? How's it looking after use?
Has anyoe noticed that the black cloth captures alot of dust/dirt? Does it clean up easy?

DkknightX · 12-31-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickie

I would imagine that the light grey leather seats will be the worse for ware after time. Anyone have the light grey cloth? How's it looking after use?
Has anyoe noticed that the black cloth captures alot of dust/dirt? Does it clean up easy?

That's why I prefer leather because cleaning is easy. Just wipe and treat. Cloth typically stains if you spill coffee, etc. Eh...Not for me. Now if you have kids and plan on letting them in your car, cloth would be the way to go. Cloth can take a lot of hard abuse without fear of splitting or tearing like leather can.

tradosaurus · 12-31-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DkknightX

That's why I prefer leather because cleaning is easy. Just wipe and treat. Cloth typically stains if you spill coffee, etc. Eh...Not for me. Now if you have kids and plan on letting them in your car, cloth would be the way to go. Cloth can take a lot of hard abuse without fear of splitting or tearing like leather can.

Actually my experience has been with 9 kids leather is easier to keep clean and is more durable.

I have light cloth seats in a Ford Freestyle and water even stains the seats. It is a pain to clean. I wish I would have got the leather.

TK-Bear · 12-31-2009, 09:32 AM

In my opinion leather looks nice, you can get the face of it in colors to match you car, and they are a lot easier to clean. On the other hand, cloth I have always found to be more comfortable, durable, and not as burning hot in the summer sun. Plus I have ordered seat covers for mine, so I went with the 1LT as well. You really cannot go wrong either way each has it's pluses and minuses, you just get what you like. Cloth or leather it is still a bad ass car.

2Fast4U2010 · 12-31-2009, 09:35 AM

Bottom line, like anything if you do not take care of it it all goes to He$$! I have an 85 Monte Carlo since day 1, cloth seats still looks new. I have leather on my SS, I like both.

Hoddi · 12-31-2009, 09:43 AM

I was always a cloth kind of girl 'til I sat in the leather seats of a Camaro. To me they are way more comfortable than the cloth
I have a bad back so the heated seats act as a heating pad.
We had a very hot summer and the seats were never hot on my ass nor are they cold in the winter.
With everything, It's a personal choice.
I highly recommend sitting in both before you decide.

hdhomer · 12-31-2009, 10:46 AM

What about dogs? I have dogs and I am concerned that they might scratch the leather. Any thoughts?

12-31-2009, 05:58 AM	#15
papabearcamaro Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 Z71 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: WI. Posts: 1,744	Definetly like cloth better. Another reason why I ordered a 1SS. Years down the road I want to have the seats look like they all have the same amount of wear to them and you wont get that with leather. __________________ SOLD(Traded for 2012 Silverado Z71 4x4 and 2012 Sonic Hatch.)...2010 Camaro 1SS/RS/LS3,yellow with House of Kolor Tangerine Pearl rally stripes,manual trans.Hurst short throw shifter,4 pack rally gauges,Roto-Fab air intake,Kooks long tube headers with high-flow cats,Borla S-Type catback exhaust,Comp Cam,PRC ported heads,Maggie with 3.6 pulley and 1:1 cog drive,secondary fuel system with 65lb injectors,ADM digital A/F and Boost gauge,Pfadt trailing arms and subframe bushings.614.25rwhp/566.82rwtq on 8# of boost. 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 EX.Cab 4X4 Z71.

12-31-2009, 09:32 AM	#25
TK-Bear Cybertron Drives: Silver Camaro with Orange Stripes Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Johnstown, OH Posts: 16 View My Garage	In my opinion leather looks nice, you can get the face of it in colors to match you car, and they are a lot easier to clean. On the other hand, cloth I have always found to be more comfortable, durable, and not as burning hot in the summer sun. Plus I have ordered seat covers for mine, so I went with the 1LT as well. You really cannot go wrong either way each has it's pluses and minuses, you just get what you like. Cloth or leather it is still a bad ass car. __________________ Ordered My Camaro on November 18th. / Built on December 4rth / Arrived on December 10th / Stripes were finished and I took it home on December 15th 2009!!!

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12-31-2009, 07:32 AM	#17
Bert synergy-green with envy Drives: Cam....ry :-( Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Douglas, MA Posts: 280	thanks for the input so far -- I'm glad I asked! it seems I had some misperceptions about durability . . . this is making me feel better about the 1LT all the time . . .

12-31-2009, 09:01 AM	#19
DkknightX Account Suspended Drives: 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS/SC Stage 2 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Emerson, NJ Posts: 1,347 View My Garage	Plastic leather The term pleather ("plastic leather") is a slang term for synthetic leather made of plastic. A portmanteau of plastic and leather, the term is sometimes used derogatorily, implying use as a substitute for genuine hide to cut costs. Besides cost, pleather may also be preferred because it is lighter than leather, or as an alternative to real leather citing reasons of animal cruelty.[2] Pleather, being made of plastic, will not decompose as quickly. Not all pleathers are the same. Polyurethane is washable, can be dry-cleaned and allows some air to flow through the garment.[citation needed] PVC pleather in contrast does not "breathe" and is difficult to clean. PVC cannot be dry-cleaned because the cleaning solvents can make the PVC unbearably stiff. Right from Wikipedia. Pleather is designed to last longer than real leather so any misconceptions about "pleather" not holding up well is a misconception. It all boils down to care and maintenance. I clean and oil my seats with Zaino Z-9 and Z-10 faithfully about every 10-15 cruises and my seats look and smell fantastic! I also have 2500+ miles on the car. For those with IOM interior, check the slight creasing on your driver's seat along the side/edge of the seat. It usually begins turning black (mine started to but I keep up on the cleaning) pretty quickly. Anybody else with IOM notice this? To the OP, if you select leather, you won't be disappointed, but you can select black to keep discoloration from being obvious, but if you go with IOM, you'll need to keep your seats pristine with good cleaning!

12-31-2009, 09:10 AM	#20
Johnny1 Drives: Would only drive GM Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southeast Kansas Posts: 190	If you have to have leather that was one of the things people liked about the GTO. My 05 was blue with blue interior. It was georgeous inside. And I think maybe the only GM (austrailian Monaro) car that was all leather. The complete seats front and back. But they're also having trouble with the seams coming apart on the headrests on the back seats from heat.

12-31-2009, 09:17 AM	#22
Rickie Drives: 2000 Mustang GT Conv Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: michigan Posts: 89	I would imagine that the light grey leather seats will be the worse for ware after time. Anyone have the light grey cloth? How's it looking after use? Has anyoe noticed that the black cloth captures alot of dust/dirt? Does it clean up easy?

12-31-2009, 09:35 AM	#26
2Fast4U2010 Drives: Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Brunswick, GA Posts: 179 View My Garage	Bottom line, like anything if you do not take care of it it all goes to He$$! I have an 85 Monte Carlo since day 1, cloth seats still looks new. I have leather on my SS, I like both.

12-31-2009, 09:43 AM	#27
Hoddi Camaro Girl ~ Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: So Cal ~ Posts: 1,868 View My Garage	I was always a cloth kind of girl 'til I sat in the leather seats of a Camaro. To me they are way more comfortable than the cloth I have a bad back so the heated seats act as a heating pad. We had a very hot summer and the seats were never hot on my ass nor are they cold in the winter. With everything, It's a personal choice. I highly recommend sitting in both before you decide.

12-31-2009, 10:46 AM	#28
hdhomer Drives: 69 Cutlass - small block Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 65	What about dogs? I have dogs and I am concerned that they might scratch the leather. Any thoughts?