Re: Restoring a 1934 Packard Trunk

Posted by bkazmer On 2022/12/13 13:56:40

I worked in automotive plastics, including formulating vinyl, and that article's distinction is complete BS. Vinyl resin (PVC) is rigid and rather intractable. You compound it with additives to alter its properties like ease of processing, weathering, coloring, impact resistance, fire resistance, etc. If you add a plasticizer to soften it, you get flexible vinyl, invented in the 1920's. The amount you put in (up to the resin's carrying capacity) adjusts its softness. "Leatherette" is just marketing speak for flexible vinyl or I suppose other flexible plastic.