Alcantara steering wheel looks bad after 8000 miles

gymtime · 06-18-2014, 07:38 PM

I always try to drive with clean hands but after 8,000 miles my alcantara steering wheel looks like trash

Also the texture used to be really soft but now it feels like sandpaper

Anything I can do?

tha_good_life · 06-18-2014, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gymtime

I always try to drive with clean hands but after 8,000 miles my alcantara steering wheel looks like trash

Also the texture used to be really soft but now it feels like sandpaper

Anything I can do?

My detail shop was able to revive that "new" feeling again. You probably need to steam out the dirt. I recall seeing some videos on youtube how to clean alcantara.

C-M2 · 06-18-2014, 08:25 PM

Alcantara wheels require cleaning usually atleast once a month.. I use sonax's alcantara cleaner and mine is good as new!

aus · 06-18-2014, 10:27 PM

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...ntara+cleaning

.

s85e90 · 06-19-2014, 12:29 AM

Toothbrush + soapy water always works very well for me and that's straight from, "how to clean alcantara"

spr · 06-19-2014, 11:15 AM

My old ZCP M3 had the alcantera wheel. I would just use turtle wax carpet cleaner on it and use a microfiber towel and it cleaned it right up beautifully. Quick and Easy.

Leonardo629 · 06-19-2014, 11:44 AM

just use a soft brush and warm water/microfiber and your steering wheel will look new again.

I've never used any chemical on my steering wheel, and it still looks brand new after 8000 miles.

Amirsm3 · 06-19-2014, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s85e90

Toothbrush + soapy water always works very well for me and that's straight from, "how to clean alcantara"

This.

I had a custom Alcantara wheel in my 350Z for almost 4 years and it looked brand new when I traded it in.

THE TECH · 06-20-2014, 10:56 AM

Doesn't matter how clean your hands are. The oils in your skin break down the Alcantara. That's why with mine I used the BMW driving gloves. Not the coolest option but keeps the wheel looking brand new.

foam · 06-20-2014, 12:35 PM

I want an Alcantara wheel so bad but I know it would get destroyed since I daily the M

09E92M34ME · 06-20-2014, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s85e90

Toothbrush + soapy water always works very well for me and that's straight from, "how to clean alcantara"

+1 I do the same thing with great results.

Amirsm3 · 06-20-2014, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foam

I want an Alcantara wheel so bad but I know it would get destroyed since I daily the M

Monthly maintenance (or more frequent pending how bad your wheel looks) will keep the wheel looking great for a long time. It seriously took 5 minutes with a toothbrush, wet microfiber and dry microfiber towel to clean the steering wheel in my 350Z

odiesback · 06-21-2014, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Doesn't matter how clean your hands are. The oils in your skin break down the Alcantara. That's why with mine I used the BMW driving gloves. Not the coolest option but keeps the wheel looking brand new.

Same here.. I wear the M gloves... steering wheel looks just like new after 26K miles!

Eur0Tech · 06-21-2014, 08:21 PM

A few detailed links that give insight on care for Ultrasuede or Alcantara.
Fist I would read
http://www.autopia.org/forum/topic/1...ning-and-care/

'Often a ‘worn’ Alcantara ® covering is caused by the nap becoming flattened, in most cases it can be revived simply by cleaning with the correct chemicals and using a napping brush. As a general rule when cleaning Alcantara ®, etc you should only to use products specifically designed for this type of fabric. Avoid using a product designed for cleaning leather. It's also important to do a patch test before cleaning any fabric to make sure the colour or integrity of the fabric won't be damaged. To do this, apply your cleaning product to an inconspicuous area to see what the effect will be.

Use a napping brush to raise the pile and loosen / separate the fibres. Remove pilling with a single-sided razor blade and then apply a suitable cleaning solution on to an applicator pad and apply to one area at a time (do not over-wet the fabric or use wet steam).

Localized stains can be treated with a dlimonene (citrus) based cleaner (P21S Total Auto Wash) ensure surface is dry before use by leaving window cracked/open. Avoid alcohol, strong solvents or spirit based cleaners (particularly perchloroethyene and trichlorethylene). When cleaning a surface with finished leather / Alcantara, tape of the Alcantara to avoid cross contamination by products."

06-18-2014, 07:38 PM	#1
gymtime Private First Class 58 Rep 138 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Alcantara steering wheel looks bad after 8000 miles I always try to drive with clean hands but after 8,000 miles my alcantara steering wheel looks like trash Also the texture used to be really soft but now it feels like sandpaper Anything I can do?
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06-18-2014, 08:25 PM	#3
C-M2 First Lieutenant 41 Rep 318 Posts Drives: 09 E92 SG M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (2)	Alcantara wheels require cleaning usually atleast once a month.. I use sonax's alcantara cleaner and mine is good as new! __________________ Current: 2009 Space Gray e92 M3 - Mod list too long to list Gone: 2004 Jet Black/Black SMG M3
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06-18-2014, 10:27 PM	#4
aus Major General 892 Rep 9,032 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...ntara+cleaning . __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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06-19-2014, 12:29 AM	#5
s85e90 Brigadier General 192 Rep 3,633 Posts Drives: black e90 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: everywhere iTrader: (2)	Toothbrush + soapy water always works very well for me and that's straight from, "how to clean alcantara"
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06-19-2014, 11:15 AM	#6
spr Major 93 Rep 1,089 Posts Drives: F80 M3; e92 ESS650+ M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	My old ZCP M3 had the alcantera wheel. I would just use turtle wax carpet cleaner on it and use a microfiber towel and it cleaned it right up beautifully. Quick and Easy. __________________ F80 M3 HRE FF04 275/305.
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06-19-2014, 11:44 AM	#7
Leonardo629 Lieutenant Colonel 168 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 Coupe Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Taiwan iTrader: (10)	just use a soft brush and warm water/microfiber and your steering wheel will look new again. I've never used any chemical on my steering wheel, and it still looks brand new after 8000 miles.
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06-20-2014, 10:56 AM	#9
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	Doesn't matter how clean your hands are. The oils in your skin break down the Alcantara. That's why with mine I used the BMW driving gloves. Not the coolest option but keeps the wheel looking brand new.
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06-20-2014, 12:35 PM	#10
foam Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 206 Posts Drives: E92 M3 AW Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: WA iTrader: (1)	I want an Alcantara wheel so bad but I know it would get destroyed since I daily the M
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06-21-2014, 08:21 PM	#14
Eur0Tech New Member 4 Rep 18 Posts Drives: e46 330xi Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Here iTrader: (0)	A few detailed links that give insight on care for Ultrasuede or Alcantara. Fist I would read http://www.autopia.org/forum/topic/1...ning-and-care/ 'Often a ‘worn’ Alcantara ® covering is caused by the nap becoming flattened, in most cases it can be revived simply by cleaning with the correct chemicals and using a napping brush. As a general rule when cleaning Alcantara ®, etc you should only to use products specifically designed for this type of fabric. Avoid using a product designed for cleaning leather. It's also important to do a patch test before cleaning any fabric to make sure the colour or integrity of the fabric won't be damaged. To do this, apply your cleaning product to an inconspicuous area to see what the effect will be. Use a napping brush to raise the pile and loosen / separate the fibres. Remove pilling with a single-sided razor blade and then apply a suitable cleaning solution on to an applicator pad and apply to one area at a time (do not over-wet the fabric or use wet steam). Localized stains can be treated with a dlimonene (citrus) based cleaner (P21S Total Auto Wash) ensure surface is dry before use by leaving window cracked/open. Avoid alcohol, strong solvents or spirit based cleaners (particularly perchloroethyene and trichlorethylene). When cleaning a surface with finished leather / Alcantara, tape of the Alcantara to avoid cross contamination by products."
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