Subject: Re: may i ask what is alcantara? Author: rick540 : member since April, 2007 : 1663 posts Posted on: 2009-05-21 04:27:22

It's a synthetic material that looks exactly like suede but lasts better. Developed in the 70's it's made by an incredibly complex spinning and needle punching method

"Alcantara is created via the combination of an advanced spinning process (producing very low denier bi-component "islands in the sea" fibre) and chemical and textile production processes (needle punching, buffing, impregnation, extraction, finishing, dyeing, etc.) which interact with each other" (Wikipedia 2009)

Available in three grades heavy , medium, light for different applications.

Ferrari, Audi use plenty of it in their upolstery and BMW in the M5's. Only problem is I cannot seem to get my hands on it and it's damn expensive.

It's a very cool textile and I would love to use it for my roof lining and back shelf.

1994 E34 540iA M60
1997 E39 540iA M62


Capetown South Africa
"The Mother City"

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      • may i ask what is alcantara? - explodingbudgie 94 e34 540,95 e31 840ci 2009-05-21 04:04:45 (43 views)
        • Re: may i ask what is alcantara? - rick540 2009-05-21 04:27:22 (41 views)
          • where do they use it on the M5 - explodingbudgie 94 e34 540,95 e31 840ci 2009-05-21 06:04:30 (47 views)
            • on the E39 M5 Roof, rear shelf (nt) - rick540 2009-05-21 08:37:57 (36 views)