Sourcing Alcantara Farbic

[Satcho]

I am seeking to source alcantara fabric for my 2005 BMW 330CIC (ZHP) to recover the front seat bolsters.

I contacted Josh at Relicate .. he provided samples "2957 chic grey" and {9052 dark charcoal" ... no match (dark charcoal is too dark and chic grey is significantly to light(. Also, I received a sample, "9002 anthracite" from Gulf Fabrics ... too dark, really black. Lastly, I just sent a inquiry to UK Hide awaiting a reply.

My Upholsterer has not been successful finding any supplier with alcantara fabric and so far no samples match. He is turning to a Facebook group for upholsterers to determine if someone has the appropriate fabric.

Attached are images of the correct fabric. Note: this is not my vehicle but the lighting and images accurately depict the correct color and texture of the fabric. There is a slight green cast to the fabric. The upholsterer does not believe this faint green cast was not caused by UV rays.

Does anyone know what this color is? Where can I obtain the fabric?

Thank you!

[John in VA]

It could be the lighting or camera flash but your seats appear light - sun faded? Factory Alcantara for our cars is 9002, referred to as " grey," "dark gray" or "anthracite." Newer BMWs' (M2) Alcantara appears closer to 9040.

Perhaps Coby knows - https://cobywheel.com/alcantara-products/e46-m-sport-products.html

[Satcho]

It could be the lighting or camera flash but your seats appear light - sun faded? Factory Alcantara for our cars is 9002, referred to as " grey," "dark gray" or "anthracite." Newer BMWs' (M2) Alcantara appears closer to 9040.

Perhaps Coby knows - https://cobywheel.com/alcantara-products/e46-m-sport-products.html

The word and number description are based on Gulf Fabrics website http://www.gulffabrics.com/alccolor.htm

Its not the flash. The picture is from a vehicle in a dealer showroom and it accurately depicts my interior color.

According to the Gulf Fabrics info and the "9002 anthracite" sample I received it is black ... not any for m of grey. The dark gray sample I received from Relicate was too dark. I have not ruled out UV fade. The upholsterer didn't think it was the case but even if it is, I should be able to find a match. According to the Gulf Fabric color chart, no "dark grey" exists. Based on their color chart "2957 chic grey" or "2938 medium grey" should match. But the "2957 chic grey" sample from Relicate was far too light, almost a silver with some grey. Relicate did not have any fabric lighter than "9052 dark charcoal".

I will make an inquiry to Coby. On the E46Fanatics forum, a member provided Veteran Company in Los Angeles ... I emailed them today.

[Satcho]

John:

I just received a response from Coby Wheel. The representative stated that all bolsters are "9002 anthracite". He further stated that they fade over time and Coby does not sell fabric.

I shall see if other responses confirm this. Thank you for the contact suggestion.

[John in VA]

https://hydesleather.com/pages/alcantara
https://www.upholsterysupplyusa.com/products/alcantara-backed
https://autointeriorspecialists.com/collections/alcantara-cover

[ZHPizza]

The Alcantara in those pics look like the shoulders/headrests on my car that spent 10 years in Florida with no tint. The fabric fades badly and goes green a bit. The original color is indeed dark, but definitely not black.

[Satcho]

The Alcantara in those pics look like the shoulders/headrests on my car that spent 10 years in Florida with no tint. The fabric fades badly and goes green a bit. The original color is indeed dark, but definitely not black.

ZHPizza:

It's interesting ... several forum members from E46Fanatics, Coby Wheel, and Gulf Fabrics state that all BMWs came with alcantara "9002 anthracite". Gulf Fabrics sent me a sample of "9002 anthracite" ... it's definitely black. A sample from Relicate for "9052 dark charcoal" is not as black but a very dark grey.

Now the quandary ... covering the front seat bolsters with either "9902 anthracite" or "9052 dark charcoal" will not match the headrest, front arm rests, and the back seat. Or try to find a suede that closely matches the current faded condition.

What are members thoughts...

[fredo]

I would probably go with 9002 anthracite. Mainly because that's what was installed at the factory.

[az3579]

I would just recover everything with 9002 if you're worried about it matching. It's harder to match faded alcantara than to just redo all of it to match.

[cakM3]

I would just recover everything with 9002 if you're worried about it matching. It's harder to match faded alcantara than to just redo all of it to match.

I agree :thumbsup

[Satcho]

I agree :thumbsup


First, I am going to see if samples from Active Foam match the current faded condition (waiting for them to be received by the upholsterer).

Secondly, I am determining if alcantara can be dyed to return it to the original "9002 anthracite" color. I have emailed Alcantara in Italy today to see if this is possible.

This product from France indicates it is possible https://www.renovation-du-cuir.fr/en-gb/car/alcantara-seat/coloring_260.html

Ultimately, Alcantara in Italy will be able to indicate if it can be dyed, type/product, and restoration process. Hopefully, in a day or two ... I have a reply.

[Satcho]

First, I am going to see if samples from Active Foam match the current faded condition (waiting for them to be received by the upholsterer).

Secondly, I am determining if alcantara can be dyed to return it to the original "9002 anthracite" color. I have emailed Alcantara in Italy today to see if this is possible.

This product from France indicates it is possible https://www.renovation-du-cuir.fr/en-gb/car/alcantara-seat/coloring_260.html

Ultimately, Alcantara in Italy will be able to indicate if it can be dyed, type/product, and restoration process. Hopefully, in a day or two ... I have a reply.


Received synthetic suede samples from Active Foam ... one matches closely according to the upholsterer. Still waiting for a reply from Alcantara on dying fabric.

[az3579]

When it comes to interior upholstery that sees wear, I've always been pretty sour on dying. Every time I see someone who has dyed their interior, it never lasts for any significant amount of time. Granted, it's usually people dying high-traffic leather (seat bottoms, bolsters, etc.) and not soft fabric like alcantara, so it could potentially be a different result. Perhaps the fabric better absorbs it - I dunno. Good luck, hopefully it works out for you.

[Satcho]

When it comes to interior upholstery that sees wear, I've always been pretty sour on dying. Every time I see someone who has dyed their interior, it never lasts for any significant amount of time. Granted, it's usually people dying high-traffic leather (seat bottoms, bolsters, etc.) and not soft fabric like alcantara, so it could potentially be a different result. Perhaps the fabric better absorbs it - I dunno. Good luck, hopefully it works out for you.

FADE Concerns

I concur with fading concerns.

So far no response from Alcantara on dying.

Following through the thought process on fading ... the upholsterer has found a synthetic suede that closely matches ( I have not seen it yet). I asked about the fabric's fade resistance ... he said he would inquire with the distributor. Expanding on this, I am assuming the this synthetic suede will fade which means it matches today but will not a some point in the future.

Alternative

This leads me to this alternative: replace the front seat bolsters with the original "9002 anthracite" and just let it fade to match the current state. The condition of the front seat headrests, armrests, and back seat is fine, just faded.


Questions

The question is how long does it take for alcantara fabric to fade? I tend to believe that the current color state is stable and will not fade anymore. What are ZHPMafia members thoughts?

[fredo]

The question is how long does it take for alcantara fabric to fade? I tend to believe that the current color state is stable and will not fade anymore. What are ZHPMafia members thoughts?

My car doesn't have alcantara seats, so I can't help here. Is your car going to be outdoors most of the time ? I would think the sun is the main enemy.

[John in VA]

My car is garaged 100% of the time it's not being driven/used & the windows are tinted to legal VA limits. Be sure the fabric you're considering is meant for automotive use & can tolerate the sun/UV rays. There are differences in synthetic suede products.

[Satcho]

My car is garaged 100% of the time it's not being driven/used & the windows are tinted to legal VA limits. Be sure the fabric you're considering is meant for automotive use & can tolerate the sun/UV rays. There are differences in synthetic suede products.


When ever the weather allows the top is down.

There are a couple of industry standards for measuring fade ... AATCC 16 and ASTM G155. I am using these rating standards to compare alcantara to other prospective synthetic suede fabrics.

My hypothesis is the new alacantara fabric will take 2-3 years to reach a stabilized faded color. I am assuming that the vehicle's current color state is stablized.

If this hypothesis is correct ... new alcantara will match current condition in 2-3 years. If I obtain a synthetic suede that is close to the current faded condition, it will fade to some unknown color and not match. Therefore, I am leaning toward just replacing the front seat bolsters with new "9002 anthracite" alcantara. I am waiting for the UV rating on the current state color match synthetic suede.

[Satcho]

When ever the weather allows the top is down.

There are a couple of industry standards for measuring fade ... AATCC 16 and ASTM G155. I am using these rating standards to compare alcantara to other prospective synthetic suede fabrics.

My hypothesis is the new alacantara fabric will take 2-3 years to reach a stabilized faded color. I am assuming that the vehicle's current color state is stablized.

If this hypothesis is correct ... new alcantara will match current condition in 2-3 years. If I obtain a synthetic suede that is close to the current faded condition, it will fade to some unknown color and not match. Therefore, I am leaning toward just replacing the front seat bolsters with new "9002 anthracite" alcantara. I am waiting for the UV rating on the current state color match synthetic suede.


I have concluded that the most practical and economically feasible solution is to replace the front seat bolsters with the original "9002 anthracite". According to the AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists), the fade test time period is 40 hours of simulated sun (fluorescent or xenon arc lamp exposure continuous or cycled on/off) resulting in a fade of >3 but < 3.5 (4 is a slight fade while 1 is a significant fade) for alcantara. It should takes much less than one years. In fact should be in weeks or months that fading will closely match the current state. The current state is a very dark grey.