Pursuing an Auto Detailing Career? The Advantages and Disadvantages of Leather Upholstery in a Vehicle

As opposed to more traditional cloth upholstery, leather can provide a range of benefits for drivers and passengers. However, the right upholstery type is dependent on the preferences of the car’s owner, and each owner may have different expectations. With this in mind, it’s important to remember that leather upholstery isn’t a perfect solution for everyone. In fact, there are several factors about the material beyond its higher cost that may make drivers wary of upgrading from cloth.

Any auto detailing professional should understand the advantages and disadvantages of using leather upholstery in a vehicle. Here’s a quick look at those pros and cons!

The Pros: Easier to Maintain, Re-Sell, and Clean After Stains and Spills

One of the main upsides to leather upholstery is the fact that it is arguably easier to clean and maintain than cloth. For one, staining leather is much more difficult than cloth, and its smoother surface makes cleaning easier. Liquid and dirt are two substances that leather upholstery won’t be fazed by, and leather doesn’t absorb unpleasant smells, either—making it more appealing to car owners interested in keeping their vehicle as fresh smelling as possible. Since spills don’t seep into leather the way they would with cloth, it’s easier to simply wipe these down before they become stains.

Drivers and passengers who are allergic to dust and other allergens will be happy to learn that leather upholstery does not allow these micro particles to accumulate as much as cloth would. Leather also provides greater comfort to those sitting on it, as it’s known for its softness and thickness. Additionally, auto detailing professionals who have been trained in reconditioning a car’s interior should know that leather seats offer the driver the ultimate option for enduring colder climates—allowing for heated seats, which cannot be offered on cloth seating. Leather upholstery can also help a car retain its value, which is a great benefit for the owner who decides they’d like to re-sell.

The Cons: Why Leather Can Be Tricky During Auto Detailing Jobs

As much as keeping leather upholstery well-maintained is important for an optimal appearance, doing so takes time and effort. Even though leather is fairly resistant to different types of stains, these stains will eventually get into the material’s pores. This is important to remember, as any interior detailing job will be more difficult to finish if any previous spills and stains have caused cracking or hardening in the material. 

Another factor for those with an auto detailing career to keep in mind is that leather tends to get extremely hot when exposed to the high temperatures of warmer climates, which can make it uncomfortable sitting on these seats when first entering the vehicle. Similarly in freezing temperatures, leather seats can feel quite uncomfortable to sit in before the heating has had a chance to kick in compared with seats made of cloth upholstery.

Want to pursue a career in professional automotive detailing?

Contact Automotive Training Centres today!