Maerin
Guru
I recently had new upholstery fabricated in JAX. Our 10 yr old upholstery was getting tired and very worn. Not surprising for full-time use. We considered leather, but the fabricator suggested Stamskin One, a relatively new product that is far more durable than any vinyl currently in use, and it has a finish that is more comfortable and very easy to clean. It's highly rated, and almost as expensive as leather, but is supposed to wear better. It carries a 7 yr warranty.
I didn't ask about how other jobs with the product came out, I learned a bit later that ours was the first, my mistake. But it looks great, has the look of soft leather, isn't hot to sit on, and is very soft to the touch.
Now, a little over a month out, we've discovered that this stuff seems to be indestructable. Nothing sticks to it. Uh, that includes butts. As well as thighs, backs, and spilled mustard. Butts??
Shower curtain and Wesson oil comes to mind, but not as quick-acting. It was a bit odd at first; you just sort of very slowly ooze down like a gumby following the contour of the seat. Who'd a thunk. Very weird, and quite annoying. We've taken to sitting on those grippy shelf liner things, it helps, but even they slide off. So just skootch back up every few minutes. I'm to the point I want it gone if there's no other solution.
To his credit, the fabricator has not abandoned me. He's been responsive, and seems to be willing to work with me to find a solution, although the boat is now 5 states away. He's been left hanging out to dry by his supplier, unfortunately. I'm attempting to contact the manufacturer, occasionally they'll respond to a consumer more readily than to their actual customer, I've seen this in the service business, but that was then. I'm not sure if I'll even get a reply.
So the outcome has yet to be determined, but at this juncture, I wanted to relate our experience with this highly rated product in case others may be considering its use. Ask if the uphosterer has had previous experience with the product and in particular, the sliding issue. It's doubtful that we're alone in the experience.
I didn't ask about how other jobs with the product came out, I learned a bit later that ours was the first, my mistake. But it looks great, has the look of soft leather, isn't hot to sit on, and is very soft to the touch.
Now, a little over a month out, we've discovered that this stuff seems to be indestructable. Nothing sticks to it. Uh, that includes butts. As well as thighs, backs, and spilled mustard. Butts??
Shower curtain and Wesson oil comes to mind, but not as quick-acting. It was a bit odd at first; you just sort of very slowly ooze down like a gumby following the contour of the seat. Who'd a thunk. Very weird, and quite annoying. We've taken to sitting on those grippy shelf liner things, it helps, but even they slide off. So just skootch back up every few minutes. I'm to the point I want it gone if there's no other solution.
To his credit, the fabricator has not abandoned me. He's been responsive, and seems to be willing to work with me to find a solution, although the boat is now 5 states away. He's been left hanging out to dry by his supplier, unfortunately. I'm attempting to contact the manufacturer, occasionally they'll respond to a consumer more readily than to their actual customer, I've seen this in the service business, but that was then. I'm not sure if I'll even get a reply.
So the outcome has yet to be determined, but at this juncture, I wanted to relate our experience with this highly rated product in case others may be considering its use. Ask if the uphosterer has had previous experience with the product and in particular, the sliding issue. It's doubtful that we're alone in the experience.