Hi Greg and others; I didn't have the leather seat fabric option, and it would be an instant disaster with 3 cats around.
I was under the impression that it was a 'Pleather' fabric, a polyurethane imitation of leather. RonB
Yes, it was Ultraleather (https://www.ultrafabricsinc.com/collections/timeless-grains/ultraleather), a polyurethane material with rayon backing. If I remember correctly, it was first introduced (by Lazy Daze, I mean) with the 50th Anniversary Edition Lazy Daze. I've had it in both my Airstreams, and it's pretty good stuff--especially the more textured variety. My first Airstream had fairly smooth Ultraleather, and there was a tendency to slowly slide forward on the sofas. As I recall, that was the type used in the 50th Anniversary LD. My current Airstream's upholstery has a texture that Ultraleather calls "Wired" in a coffee brown color (https://www.ultrafabricsinc.com/collections/modern-textures/wired/kahlua), and it doesn't have that problem. It's very pleasant to sit on.
But no fabric (including real leather, as my old IKEA chair can testify) is cat-proof, and my first Airstream's couch showed punctures. However, in this rig I've trained her, and I haven't had any problems with her scratching the Utraleather.
My method was simple: every time she used her scratching post (1/4" sisal rope wrapped around the upper portion of my dinette table's leg), I rewarded her with four or five small cat treats. Once she got used to this, which only took a week or two, I cut back to only rewarding her every second or third time. ("Partial reinforcement" is the most effective form of training, I learned in Psych 101--about the only useful thing I did learn.) She hasn't touched my upholstery since, and she uses the scratching post many times a day, each time looking at me hopefully afterward. ;-)
Anyway, Ultraleather is available from SailRite (https://www.sailrite.com/search.php?query=ultraleather), among other sources. I recommend SailRite for any kind of RV or marine upholstery fabrics, notions, and tools, including their heavy-duty sewing machines.
Anyway, Ultraleather is available from SailRite (https://www.sailrite.com/search.php?query=ultraleather), among other sources. I recommend SailRite for any kind of RV or marine upholstery fabrics, notions, and tools, including their heavy-duty sewing machines.
If anyone needs smaller quantities, I highly recommend checking Upholstery Fabrics - Discount Upholstery Fabric and Remnants Wholesale –... (https://www.totofabrics.com/) for their remnants. Ultraleather is in the range of $70-90 per yard; Toto Fabrics sells Ultraleather remnants around $18-25 per yard. And if they don't have the color you need, e-mail them. Not all of what they have in stock is on their website.
Also, the Brisa lines of Ultraleather have microperforations, which makes the seating surfaces more breathable. I'm sitting on an Ultraleather Brisa sofa as I type. It was recovered 11 years ago and still looks as good as the day it was finished.
Andy, you took care of the cat problem the proper way. We cheated and simply covered our faux leather seats!
My method was simple: every time she used her scratching post (1/4" sisal rope wrapped around the upper portion of my dinette table's leg), I rewarded her with four or five small cat treats. Once she got used to this, which only took a week or two, I cut back to only rewarding her every second or third time. ("Partial reinforcement" is the most effective form of training, I learned in Psych 101--about the only useful thing I did learn.) She hasn't touched my upholstery since, and she uses the scratching post many times a day, each time looking at me hopefully afterward. ;-)
Long live B.F.Skinner.
Larry