Re-trimming Interior - Alcantara - Does It Fade ?

[redgriff500]

Hi

I'm thinking about re trimming my car including the dash.

I like Alcantara but have seen people say it fades in the sun (particularly on the dash and this is for a convertible)

Does anyone have EXPERIENCE of this and if so how long did it take ?

I'm thinking of using genuine Alcantara and in dark gray as I thought fading would be less noticeable than with black.

I would consider similar materials if they are better but I've gone off the idea of flocking.

Thanks

[redgriff500]

Hasn't anyone done this on here ?

I've seen a few threads about people doing it but they never update them to say how well its lasted.

[alolympic]

I think any trimming material can fade in the sun given enough time.
I have alacantara in 2 of my guys and haven't noticed any fading. I wouldn't worry, it is lovely stuff.

[kambites]

I'd imagine it's down to the dye, not the material.

[Z28fan]

the problem with alcantara is 2-fold

1) it's not cheap

2) it can wear quite badly - ie it 'bobbles' up quite quickly unless you're super careful (and quite possibly even then) which can then lead to great disatisfaction with the price paid for the stuff to begin with.

leaving aside the 2 points above I've not seen alcantara fade any worse than other materials

Edited by Z28fan on Tuesday 23 November 10:37

[redgriff500]

Presumably the dye is part of the material make up though hence Alcantara will all use comparable dyes hence it either will or won't fade.

As its only for the dash and door cards there shouldn't be any wear really (I have leather seats already)

Is Alcantara what Lamborghini use on their dashes ?

I have found a place selling quite a few metres as a stock clearance so its not too expensive at around £22/m2

[Whitean3]

Accroding to the guys on the ultima forum, Alcantara does fade over time, especially on the top of the dashboard, where the sun can come throught he windscreen. On the plus side, it is much much easier to work with than leather for example.
I guess it depends on your interior, but if you need grey or black, then expect it to fade- but I would think there are commercially available dyes to recolour as and when needed (like the leather dies). Also remember, the lighter the colour on the top of the dash, the more reflections you may get on the windscreen.

[The Wookie]

The only car we've got with Alcantara in is the Barchetta, and in the 9 years since it was new it hasn't faded noticeably, but it is kept covered in a barn for about 340 days of the year!

[hornetrider]

Could also be worth askibng in the Lotus forum, I've seen a fair few Elises with alcantara iirc.

[Matt_N]

The tops of the rear seats in my ATR have faded, more accurately I would say they have been bleached by the sun, as they now have a light purple tinge to them.

I would imagine it would suffer the same fate on a dash.