Need leather that is UV resistant or more durable than upholstery leather? Our automotive-grade leather hides offer the durability, finish, and flexibility needed for car interiors, furniture restoration, and custom leatherwork.
Available in a variety of colors, each full hide is drum-dyed and finished to meet automotive industry standards. Whether you're restoring a classic car, reupholstering a seat, or crafting premium goods, these hides deliver performance and beauty that lasts.
What's The Difference between Automotive Leather and Upholstery Leather?
While your average sofa leather focuses on softness and aesthetics, aviation leather is all about survivability and durability. Depending on how it is finished you may not be able to tell the difference by touch, except is is generally thicker. Here are the differences:
• Flame Retardancy: As you suspected, these hides are treated to pass the FAA's Vertical Burn Test. This isn't just a surface coating; the chemistry is often deeply integrated into the tanning process.
• Low Smoke & Toxicity: In a fire, standard leather might release thick, acrid smoke. Aviation leather is engineered to produce minimal smoke and low levels of toxic gas.
• Weight vs. Strength: Paradoxically, while they can feel "sturdy," many aviation hides are actually shaved to a specific thickness to keep the aircraft's weight down while maintaining immense tensile strength.
• UV and Fade Resistance: Airplane cabins are exposed to intense high-altitude UV rays through the windows. This leather is highly resistant to fading and "cracking" under sun exposure.
• Anti-Soil/Anti-Stain: Because cleaning a plane is expensive and time-consuming, these hides have a high-performance topcoat that resists ink, soda, and coffee stains much better than "naked" leathers like aniline.
✅ Key Features:
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Genuine Automotive-Grade Leather: Meets durability and finish specs for vehicle interiors
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Full Grain & Drum Dyed: Rich color penetration and natural surface grain
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Soft Yet Durable: Ideal for seats, panels, and high-wear surfaces
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Large Full Hides: Average 36–50 sq ft – enough for most auto or upholstery jobs
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Color Variety: Choose from classic neutrals to bold custom hues
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Versatile Use: Car interiors, furniture, handbags, saddlery, and leather crafts
🧰 Ideal For:
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Auto interior restoration
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Furniture upholstery
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Leather seats & steering wheels
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Custom bags and accessories
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Motorcycle & marine applications
🧼 Leather Care Guide for Automotive-Grade Leather Hides
Keep your leather looking its best with proper care and maintenance. Our automotive-grade leather is built to last, but like all natural materials, it benefits from regular attention.
✅ General Maintenance Tips:
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Clean Regularly: Wipe the surface with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and debris or use a leather cleaner or restorer. That is what we have found to work best.
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Condition Every 3–6 Months: Use a high-quality leather conditioner to keep the leather supple and prevent drying or cracking.
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Avoid Harsh Cleaners: Never use alcohol-based, ammonia-based, or abrasive cleaners—they can strip the finish and damage the leather.
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Keep Away from Heat & Sun: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or heaters can dry out and fade leather.
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Spot Cleaning: For stains, blot immediately with a clean cloth. For tougher spots, use a leather-safe cleaner tested on a small area first.
Our "Love It" Guarantee:
We know that buying leather is not like buying a iPhone, where every one is the same. Leather differs in finish, thickness, stiffness, color and size. We want you to be happy with the leather you buy from us. That is why we have the following guarantee:
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Custom Color Matching: Not sure about a shade? Request a color, and we’ll send photos for your approval.
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Total Transparency: We send photos of your actual piece before it leaves our shop.
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The Final Word: If it arrives and you aren't happy, we’ll make it right. Period.
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NOTE: If you are buying a hide to repair an existing piece of furniture it is IMPOSSIBLE. Sorry for the bad news. There are thousands of tanneries around the world, each with different colors and age causes the leather to change color.
