[Stinkin_V8]

Anyone (Shawn? ) know if Novasuede has UV protection? I read your post about how Ultrasuede doesn't..

I'm using it on a headliner, was thinking about using it on the bottom half of the doors where the carpet usually is. Any thoughts?

Thanks

[kristkustoms]

I should go back and edit that post. I was WRONG, ultrasuede does protect against UV light. Its some of the cheaper suedes that will fade when subjected to UV light. Like passion suede and a few other cheaper suedes.

UltraSuede is the top of the line suede. I have never used NovaSuede. I think its about the same as UltraSuede.

We have been using TexSuede alot lately. Half the price of UltraSuede and about as nice. TexSuede has UV protection.

[Stinkin_V8]

Thanks for the clarification!

Would you have any hesitation about using upholstery-grade UltraSuede on a seating surface?

['40Tudor]

Real suede is a type of leather - from kid skin, calf skin, goat skin and occasionally cow hides. Its all in the way the hides are 'finished' - to get the 'nap' on the surface the hides are buffed after tanning.
The "faux" suedes are similar to the "faux" leathers, but with the 'nappy' surface vs. the grained surface.
As to using (real or artificial) suedes on upholstery, it would be a matter of taste, like anything else. ...but, you must realize that the nappy (velvet like) surface will leave a "direction" - meaning, if you run your fingers acrossed it, the nap may "lay" in that direction.

[Stinkin_V8]

Thanks Tudor. I didn't think you'd be able to change the direction of the nap a whole lot. I always assumed it would find it's way back to it's "natural" direction, even with the man-made stuff.

I was mostly concerned about the durability of it on a seating surface.. I've never seen UltraSuede used on a car seat before, and up until a few hours ago, I didn't even know you could use it in a car in direct sunlight without it decomposing in front of your eyes.

[kristkustoms]

UltraSuede is a very durable material. Ive used it on seats with no problem at all. Most suedes you can basically "draw pictures" in the nap with your fingers. UltraSuede has about the shortest nap of them all, not much drawing in UltraSuede

There are many different kinds of UltraSuede, from fashion use to furniture, to displays to transportation. You obviously dont want fashion UltraSuede on your seats. The transportation line that you would want to look for is UltraSuede Milano, UltraSuede Ambiance, or UltraSuede Riviera. Any reputable upholstery shop should be able to help you find these lines of UltraSuede. Or ask here.

[Stinkin_V8]

Thanks, that was exactly what I wanted to know.

You bring up another question, though. There's multiple grades of Ultrasuede that have a backing? I knew the fashion stuff was non-backed and figured I'd be fine with anything with a backing. Not true?

Since I only need small pieces to do the center inserts on the seats, I was looking at "by-the-yard" deals on e-bay. Sounds like I need to be more discriminating than just looking for any grade of Ultrasuede with a backing?

[kristkustoms]

Yeah, id make sure its one of those three lines of UltraSuede. What color are you looking for?

[Stinkin_V8]

I was looking for a bright blue - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...EBWA%3AIT&rd=1

That one has no backing so it's no use to me other than maybe headliner and/or door panels.