Peggy I have seen this fabric on many items. I do not know what the coating is. However, I do believe the coating was applied to simulate leather rather than waterproof. Let us know what you find. Best Ann Frisina On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:04 PM, Peggy Derrick <[log in to unmask]>wrote: > The La Crosse County Historical Society would like to reupholster the seat > on its 1922 American La France fire truck and I am trying to determine what > the original fabric was, and what is my best option for a correct > replacement. At first I thought it was upholstered in black leather, but > upon examination I realized I was looking at a heavy woven cotton with a > surface treatment to make it black and waterproof. The fabric itself is not > in terrible shape, but the sewing thread is rotting. Maybe we should just > stitch it back together? I'm curious to know what the surface treatment is: > rubber? It's not crumbling or stiff like old rubber. Paint? Ditto. Vinyl? > Isn't 1922 too early for vinyl? > Are there any simple tests I could subject a tiny bit to, to analyze it? > And while I'm asking all these questions, does anyone have a recommendation > on what to recover it with? > Thank you all so much! > > Peggy Derrick, Curator > > La Crosse County Historical Society > > P.O. 1272 > > La Crosse WI 54602 > > 608-782-1980 > > -- Ann Frisina Textile Conservator Minnesota Historical Society 345 Kellogg Blvd. W. St. Paul, MN 55413 651 259-3385 http://www.mnhs.org/preserve/conservation/index.html