DNMakinson

iTrader: (3)

On their site, I only see choices for Ford, Toyota, and Dopdge. How did you go about ordering for the Miata? What is price range?

I suppose if one is going to pay good $$$, should go to NB2 seats first.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

gomiata has them, as well as basically every major miata parts vendor. they are not cheap, 500-800 I think

NB2 are better, but sit just a tad higher.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

Alright, I'll throw my 2 cents in here, as I looked for seat upholstery a while back. I searched for days, read zillions of threads all over the web and was constantly lead back to a single conclusion. No cloth for you!

There is no off the shelf upholstery kit for the Miata unless you want leather. That solution is Katzkins. They fit nice, last well, and are generally regarded highly by those that have gotten them. Expensive, but worth it according to most.

Cloth? You're SOL. Duetto suck, plain and simple. Poor fitment, cheezy velour (what is this, the 1980's?), no options. People complain of them looking like basic seat covers; baggy, wrinkled, etc. Apparently they stretch, and while looking good initially, they leave a lot to be desired after some use. Note: I have no personal experience with them myself, that is just the general opinion I got from reading other people's posts about them.

The final conclusion was take it to a shop. Amazing no one has come up with a decent kit, but any competent shop can recover the seats. Most places I contacted were quite reasonable as well. Like in the $300 range. Several I went to would try to match the OEM fabric as best they could, but it was all slightly different. Stitching options (contrasting color) was generally no charge.

I ended up getting cheap eBay seats, which I have yet to install.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

A while back there was a guy on egay that sold OEM miata cloth upholstery. Like actual Mazda upholstery, taken from showroom floor miata's or something like that. He had NB1 sets for $100 a pop, which really impressed me at the time. Might want to see if you can track him down

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

TBH, I don't log in there anymore. The S/N ratio just got too low.

Went and searched around, and found a lot of positive stuff on the Duetto. So while I still need to look for a black interior, I can at least ease up on the no-leather-rule while car shopping.

I also found this there, which I kind of like:








Picture a horizontal line describing the continuum where suede is at the extreme left, and the vinyl used on the seats of a 1971 VW Superbeetle Cabriolet is on the extreme right. We will also populate various other seat-covering materials along this line:



(Note that the position of Cat ******** is artificially raised by the fact that passengers will invariably ask "This is an interesting material, what is it?" and there is thus tremendous comedic value attached. It is presumed that the soft fur is left intact on the ********.)


Where along this line would you place Leather (as opposed to "Leather")?





I'm puzzled by the fact that they have only one bad customer-supplied photo, and couldn't be bothered to take any shots of their own.

But then I remember, because Duetto.

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

FTFY. CR found a place that made full leather seat covers called nwautoleather circa 2006, but site is defunct. There is another company, nwautoaccessories, that may or may not be the same company. It looks like they offer a wide range of fabrics and custom options. The NA seats in the thread over on CR look pretty good. You could probably give them a call about a custom job.



I put it just below velour because I think the gripping performance of the other materials is better. Now if we factor in style and durability, it's up there with suede and cloth. In my experience, velour isn't terribly durable and neither is suede, but at least suede looks amazing. It is a massive pain to take proper care of, though, and will readily absorb any stain from anything. I have no experience with the durability of cat ******** as a seating surface, though....

supercooper

Yeah, there is a HUGE difference between Leather and "leather". lol The leather in my Mini feels amazing... doesnt get crazy hot, and doesnt have any cracks or anything. And i know what you mean about the nice patina... My seats LOOK like 12 year old seats... but in a good way. They arent damaged or Battle worn, and are still very solid. They just look like old worn leather. Like a nice old Leather Jacket. More pliable with age, but still look great

Dustin1824

iTrader: (2)

Alcantara and Ultrasuede should be on that line, but all the way to the left. If anyone gets some seats reupholstered, you should definately consider this. Think suede properties and feel, but doesn't wear out and get shiny or flake off like real suede. The stuff is amazing. Alcantara is basically Ultrasuede made in Italy with different dyes, and a X2 multiplier on the price.

Alcantara does have a Fire Retardant line of fabric I believe...not that it would save you if your cockpit burst into flames.

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

100% true. If I wanted a suede texture for the car there is no way I wouldn't use a synthetic. I have a nice suede leather Raiders (shut up, I hear you already) jacket, and despite multiple cleanings the light grey sleeves are mostly splotchy dark grey on the underside. Ultrasuede and Alcantara are made by the same company in different plants. Alcantara comes in like six different flavors for different uses in the car, while Ultrasuede comes in Milano (upholstery/backing) and Ambiance (panels/no backing).

Dustin1824

iTrader: (2)

You seem more familiar with it that I am. I just know that every application I have seen it used in, it has excelled and made owners happy.

Ever since I sat in a reupholstered seat with Ultrasuede bits, I have wanted the stuff. I thought it was brand new, and the owner told me it was a year old at the time. Maybe I should ask him to see it again, now it would be 2 years or so, just to see if its faded, although I don't think this stuff fades very much at all.

Monk

iTrader: (3)

I found a local guy who can fab up some custom covers for you. Superior to cloth in every way, beats the **** out of leather, plus it feels amazing.


Props given for making me laugh at a joke made at my expense.

DNMakinson

iTrader: (3)

Any thoughts on Wet Okole brand?

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

Wet Okole are neoprene seat covers, not replacement upholstery skins. Opinion on the Wet Okoles go both ways, a lot more research on M.net. I wouldn't pay that much for seat covers, even custom fit, regardless of material.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

depends

do you like sitting on a wet suit?

Nathan F

tried to replace the seat cushion cover in a honda element once. bought the direct OEM replacement, with hog rings. Can't even describe how much of a pain in the butt that is. Caved and dropped it off at an upholstery place to finish the job. For the effort involved it was worthwhile to me to just get it looking 100%

I think when it's time to tackle my miata seats, I just might get new seats. something a little more comfortable with good bolsters.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

I did two 99 seats last year. Its not hard, but boy oh boy is it time consuming and unrewarding. Took a full day, but I was working slow. Definitely wouldn't do it again.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Hard to believe it's been nearly a year since I started this thread...

Anyway, I don't have any "before" pictures, but you'll have to take me word for the fact that the original blue leather seats in my '04 were in pretty horrid condition.

$200, a Saturday morning drive down to a sketchy neighborhood in Long Island, and one can of Blue Coral upholstery cleaner later:




It's amazing how little things can make such a big difference.

(Yes, there's still a bit of a stain in the pax seat bottom.)

The new top should be here this week.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

I like 01 seats. I like 03+ seats even better-er.
Can't argue with 200 bux though, that's a steal