I would like to get my recaros reupholstered but i cant find where to buy the recaro red fabric. ive contacted recaro with no avail as they are not responding.

ive emailed crispy but no response.

should i just take it to a local upholstery shop and get them reupholstered in red leather? maybe red suede?

opinions and suggestions would be appreciated.

they are good seats, but they are sun damaged.

 

I would wait for Crispy, I recall him mentioning what he did to repair his on his website.

http://www.reganrotaryracing.com/spiritrseats.htm

I'm sure a good interior shop could get the fabric and fit right.

 

Any decent upholstery shop can do those seats with no problem. They are very simple, like most racing seats.

The biggest obstacle is getting a red fabric and embroidery that matches close enough. There are materials out there that are close, its just a matter of sourcing them. I have one that is reasonable, its just too maroon.

Ive had a couple people pm me with interest about this over the past couple weeks. I will continue to try to find something suitable.

-Austin

 

The color and actual fabric texture differs on these seats from all the information I have been able to gather. For example the genuine recaro red fabric I have is slightly brighter than the original seats I have in storage, maybe it depends on if the seat came from one of the white RZ models or from a late model spirit R I do not know. The fabric I was able to receive is however the exact fabric crispy has and used as a replacement; the same color backing, same print markings on the back and it seems to be somewhat more of a vibrant red compared to a blood red of my seats.

 

Just my 2c, if the Recaro fabric is prone to sun fade/damage, why source a fabric which I imagine is grossly overpriced, and will get damaged again?

You could try searching google for a red upholstery fabric/suede, that way if it's also prone to sun damage, or hopefully not, at least it's cheaper to replace?

 

But why purchase and reupholster seats that retail for $4000 each in a different fabric type? The resell value is going to skydive at the very least and the whole point of the seat being made of suede is to hold you from sliding around. Plus the genuine fabric is fire resistant and really brightens up the interior. You may as well just purchase some used or abused recaros or something for $200 each if you plan to reupholster in leather and save yourself $2000+ imo.

At the OP,

You could always get an opinion from a place that specializes in fabric recovery at the very least, they may be able to professional dye or apply some other method of repair. This could get you on the right path depending what you want to do - http://www.fibrenew.com/

 

RHD Japan has the stuff but it will cost you what you paid for seats roughly

http://www.rhdjapan.com/mazda-recaro...r-type-a-55246 (more stuff there)

 

Doubt anyone is paying $4000 each, there's a absolutely pristine, mint pair in the FS sections for $4000, and I bet it will sell for slightly below that. Many mint/near mint sets for well below that. Personally, from my point of view, if you're buying Recaros, you can't exactly upgrade aesthetically. None of the money put into these cars hold value, everything is at a huge loss. If you never use the seats, then I guess you could resell them for what you purchased them for. As far as the color, I was suggesting possibly sourcing a really bright red suede that mimics the color of the originals. And if you see used or abused $200 Recaros for sale that are structurally sound, I'd gladly pick them up for reupholstering.

Having said that, I understand the OP may want to shoot for original fabric. Nothing against that, your point is valid, but was stating an alternative thought. I'm all for original JDM components, and I oppose knockoffs 100%, but fabric is fabric to me -- in most cases.

 

Several years ago recaro responded and was going to sell me their fabric. But there are other vendors out there who sell recaro fabric and other seat fabrics. I was. Recently going to recover my torn RZ seats and found couple of vendors. Ill see if I can find those vendors.

 

So I'm going to talk to autofashionusa to see if they can recover the seats. They specialize in VIP cars so I would expect the quality to be top notch. Feeling the recaro fabric, I think I may opt to do a different fabric but same color with same stitching. Leather would be nice but it's not for me. Oem look is what I'll be going for.

A hanging button on your pants or anything could snag the oem fabric and tear it it feels like so maybe something more sturdy would be appropriate.