Flaking RV Leather sofa and chairs

Welcome to the forum. Did you check Youtube?

Ours made a horrible mess. We were to the point of either reupholster or replace them. Reupholstering was too expensive so we tossed them and replaced it all with house grade chairs and a futon.

Our two captains chairs up front started flaking. We had them recovered. We purchased a better quality material and the cost of reupholstering was about what one brand new chair would have cost. And the frames were fine. . . just needed better foam and better fabric than the cheap stuff they put in to begin with. We were told Flexsteel makes them initially according to the motorhome builder specs and that usually means cheap materials.

Dale

The fabric you are having issues with is called "Bonded Leather" and was developed to recycle shavings from the finishing process of producing upholstery grade leather. The shavings are then glued to a polyester backing. Unfortunately, the gluing does not last and the furniture industry is flooded with thousands of complaints. Sadly, the warranty on upholstery fabric is usually only 1 year.

There are commercial grade vinyls available that are reasonably priced and are rated to withstand at least 100,000 double rubs (an industry test standard for commercial fabrics). An Upholsterer who does commercial work would be able to order the fabric for you

We had theater seats and rocking recliners and they all flaked. We pulled them all out and found upholstered rockers that fit and are so much more comfortable, look nice and we have more room.

This is the second time I've read of this happening lately. Is this stuff made by Thomas Payne?
I'm hoping not since we have a whole rig full of it.

Vinyl has also had the same issues. There are YouTube videos on how to repair. No idea how well it will work or last.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoemyjyPjww

If it's made for an RV it's made cheap ! My recliners flaked within 2 yrs, so I bought a new set from a friend that were the Thomas Payne out of a Big Horn which is an upper end Heartland 5r, and now they are flaking at the head rest area.

Likely need to recover them or replace the flaking items. Not cheap. The low end materials used (Aka cheap) are not long wearing often. Good luck!

Are you wanting to reupohlster the leather with new leather? Replace the whole thing?
Leather can be had on eBay if you are up to it (real leather). Townsend leather is reputable and out of NY state. I have purchase a LOT Of leather from them by going to their place of business but they also sell on eBay. REAL leather shouldn't do this but if there are extremes in temperature, high heat my not be liked by any leather.
Donna in NY