How to clean Alcantara?
Jul 9, 2008, 07:14 AM
#1
How to clean Alcantara?
With ~17k miles as my daily driver, I would like to clean up the seats, arm rests, and door panels. Not sure about you guys, but the areas that my arm rests on are getting a bit chalky from dry skin particles I'm assuming. Just want to know what is the best way to clean the surfaces to bring them back to like new condition.
Jul 9, 2008, 09:03 AM
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With ~17k miles as my daily driver, I would like to clean up the seats, arm rests, and door panels. Not sure about you guys, but the areas that my arm rests on are getting a bit chalky from dry skin particles I'm assuming. Just want to know what is the best way to clean the surfaces to bring them back to like new condition.
J/kI'm with you brotha I got the same thing going for my seats, as a matter of fact I was wearing these shorts that have velcro in the back pockets and after a 3 hour drive to Albuquerque, I got up out of my seat and notice the material on my seat in that spot was harry from the velcro pulling the cloth out of the seat!!!
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Jul 9, 2008, 01:25 PM
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Dab any stains with a clean cloth using warm water (use a light detergent if needed).
Let the area dry and use this for the final touch.
http://www.drugstore.com/qxp75941_33...lint_brush.htm
Alcantara has a grain direction (you can see it when you brush it by hand; the texture is different); the brush will brush the alcantara smooth one way and brush it rough the other direction.
You'll see the color difference immediately after brushing.
It works awesome.
I used it on my old S4's alcantara surfaces and currently on a set of synthetic suede loveseats I have at home.
Let the area dry and use this for the final touch.
http://www.drugstore.com/qxp75941_33...lint_brush.htm
Alcantara has a grain direction (you can see it when you brush it by hand; the texture is different); the brush will brush the alcantara smooth one way and brush it rough the other direction.
You'll see the color difference immediately after brushing.
It works awesome.
I used it on my old S4's alcantara surfaces and currently on a set of synthetic suede loveseats I have at home.
Jul 9, 2008, 04:13 PM
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I use a really dilute solution of Murphies oil soap, about a 1/2 - 2/3 cap in a gallon of warm water. and a soft cotton terry cloth or diaper cloth. it will clean everything and its good for the leather and Alcantera too, its really good for the steering wheel because it doesn't leave any residue. Interior will be like new.
MF (microfiber)sucks, I tried it, it is really hard and it actually scratched my clock. WTF?
MF (microfiber)sucks, I tried it, it is really hard and it actually scratched my clock. WTF?
Jul 10, 2008, 01:43 PM
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Yea I'm serious. the towel feels soft to the touch but I guess the fibers are harder than the plastic over the clock. it was a brand new towel only dust on the clock, no dirt no sand. Before I always used paper towel or cotton cloth and never had a problem.
Jul 10, 2008, 02:37 PM
#14
From a thread on AudiWorld:
At least 75% of the time, a MF with distilled water does the job. If not, a Woolite solution(~5:1) should be the next step.
As for a MF scratching the (clock) plastic, I believe it. Pretty much everything will scratch it and I do not believe for a second that a paper towel didn't. FWIW, all MF isn't created equal.
BTW, we have a detailing forum on EvoM with some very experienced guys who can answer these questions. In fact, the info I just posted was already discussed in the appropriate venue.
Here is info from the Stain Removing Table for Alcantara, on the Gulf Fabrics website (http://www.gulffabrics.com):
Beer: To be treated in neutral detergent solution rinsing.
Blood: Neutral detergent solution, dried up stains to treated several times.
Egg: To be treated in neutral detergent solution, rinsing.
Fruit juice, fruits, ketchup vegetables , jam, jelly, syrup: To be washed in neutral detergent solution; discolorations to be treated with citric acid, well rinsing.
Coffee and tea: Washing with neutral detergent solution; discolorations to be treated with citric acid, well rinsing.
Cacao and chocolate: To be rubbed with washing paste, rinsing with water.
Chewing gum: Swelling with ethyl alcohol, to be removed mechanically.
Ballpoint pen and felt-tip pen: To be dissolved with ethyl alcohol, dabbing, posttreatment with detergent solution, rinsing.
Milk and cream: To be treated with detergent solution, rinsing.
Lipstick, shoe polish, oil, and fat: To be dissolved with ethyl alcohol, dabbing, post-treatment with washing paste, well rinsing.
Mustard, Wine, and Liquor: To be washed in detergent solution, treatment with citric acid, well rinsing.
Beer: To be treated in neutral detergent solution rinsing.
Blood: Neutral detergent solution, dried up stains to treated several times.
Egg: To be treated in neutral detergent solution, rinsing.
Fruit juice, fruits, ketchup vegetables , jam, jelly, syrup: To be washed in neutral detergent solution; discolorations to be treated with citric acid, well rinsing.
Coffee and tea: Washing with neutral detergent solution; discolorations to be treated with citric acid, well rinsing.
Cacao and chocolate: To be rubbed with washing paste, rinsing with water.
Chewing gum: Swelling with ethyl alcohol, to be removed mechanically.
Ballpoint pen and felt-tip pen: To be dissolved with ethyl alcohol, dabbing, posttreatment with detergent solution, rinsing.
Milk and cream: To be treated with detergent solution, rinsing.
Lipstick, shoe polish, oil, and fat: To be dissolved with ethyl alcohol, dabbing, post-treatment with washing paste, well rinsing.
Mustard, Wine, and Liquor: To be washed in detergent solution, treatment with citric acid, well rinsing.
At least 75% of the time, a MF with distilled water does the job. If not, a Woolite solution(~5:1) should be the next step.
As for a MF scratching the (clock) plastic, I believe it. Pretty much everything will scratch it and I do not believe for a second that a paper towel didn't. FWIW, all MF isn't created equal.
BTW, we have a detailing forum on EvoM with some very experienced guys who can answer these questions. In fact, the info I just posted was already discussed in the appropriate venue.
Last edited by FJF; Jul 10, 2008 at 02:41 PM.