If you haven't thought of it already ... try some stuff called "recycled leather". It's actually made from ground up leather and then mixed with vinyl to give the look and feel of leather. More weather resistance than hides. And it's about the same price as a good grade of marine vinyl.
I don't get the eat or drink comment at all. I've found that leather, at least modern leather, is a tough as you could want. My modern cars have all had tons of sippy cups and applesauce and tomato slices dumped on them and nothing seems to hurt them.
Leather for automotive use must be a FINISHED or "TOP COATED"" leather. Basically, this means it has a clear coat, the same thing as a clear coat on a 2 stage paint job. This clear contains UV inhibitors, just like clear paint does. I found out early on that use of anything that is NOT TOP COATED will fade - quickly, and begin to break down. The suns UV rays eventually break down EVERYTHING! A good top coated leather, properly maintained, should last for many years, probably longer than any vinyl, and if you shop around, the prices can be comparable to plastic. GregCon is correct, if it is TOP COATED leather, it is fairly stain resistant, and very easy to clean! I just got set up with one of the largest tannery distributors in North America, and I now have lots of Automotive Upholstery leather available - TOP COATED leather - in well over 100, (yes-ONE HUNDRED +++!) colors, that I sell for anywhere from $6.95 up to $11.95 per square foot. The higher end stuff is either German, Austrian or Italian, and the lower cost is usually from South America. All of it is quality stuff. There's everything from basic BLACK, to distressed, worn looking "club chair" type leathers. Real leather is, hands down, the BEST choice... Nothing looks like it, nothing feels like & nothing lasts like it...in my book, there's NOTHING like the real thing! Eric hoof22
My daily driver is a Lexus LS460L which presumably uses some sort of high grade leather. One day I noticed that a single-digit member of my family had left a bottle of water open on the seat, which leaked, and sat for over a day. There was a large wet spot which had turned the black leather to a light gray color. After the requisite ****-fit I dabbed up what I could then decided to do nothing about it until my blood pressure lowered a bit. The next day....the spot was completely gone and the black had returned. You can't even tell where it happened. I'm pleased.
I tossed around the idea to. A basic 40's build distressed leather. 50's gotz to be vinyl. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Just don't get suntan lotion on your black leather. Not sure if it comes off on vinyl but my black leather now has a big white spot.
My car upholsterer dittos 28, even tho leather makes him more money. I like symphony vintage vinyl personally. Great photos on the HAMB upholstery group of different materials.
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