How to care for Alcantara Steering Wheel?

ACZakka325i · 12-09-2009, 07:53 PM

Got mine installed. I have been avoiding palm-steering as to not abraise the material.

Should I scotch guard it? Is a little water bad for it? What about sweat?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,

mike2016 · 12-09-2009, 08:26 PM

don't sweat too much on the hand

Kyoshi71 · 12-09-2009, 08:38 PM

Perfect solution:

http://www.bimmerzone.com/BMW_driving_gloves.htm

montreal red · 12-09-2009, 08:42 PM

alcantara tends to discolor after a few years of use... hence i usually recommend people who re-do their steering wheels with me not to do it in alcantara unless they are prepared to pay for another re-upholster in a few years time

michaeldorian · 12-09-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACZakka325i

Got mine installed. I have been avoiding palm-steering as to not abraise the material.

Should I scotch guard it? Is a little water bad for it? What about sweat?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,

The best way to clean it is with a towel and just water. Do not use anything but water. Let it dry and you're good to go. Alcantara is very durable.

I've also linked a complete Alcantara Care Manual in PDF Format. This manual was developed by the manufacturer of the material.

wheelman · 12-09-2009, 10:06 PM

I had great luck using Palmolive on my E46 ZHP. I was also careful to drive with clean hands. After four years of daily driving, the wheel looked almost new.

zuggerat89 · 12-11-2009, 07:32 AM

I had my shift knob reupholstered in alcantara and that is a HIGH wear area. I've had it on since March and it still looks good. You just have to maintain it.

I usually vacuum it out with a brush attachment to lift all the bound fibers and dirt. Every once in a while I clean it with a solution of 1/5 - woolite/water, making sure not to soak the fabric through, then I blot the solution out and let it dry. Then vacuum again with a brush attachment to release the fibers.

It looks as good as new after that.

Maybe someone from the detailing threads can chime in here too...

KANdaddy · 12-11-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyoshi71

Perfect solution:

http://www.bimmerzone.com/BMW_driving_gloves.htm

I seriously hope you're joking.

quality_sound · 12-14-2009, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zuggerat89

I had my shift knob reupholstered in alcantara and that is a HIGH wear area. I've had it on since March and it still looks good. You just have to maintain it.

I usually vacuum it out with a brush attachment to lift all the bound fibers and dirt. Every once in a while I clean it with a solution of 1/5 - woolite/water, making sure not to soak the fabric through, then I blot the solution out and let it dry. Then vacuum again with a brush attachment to release the fibers.

It looks as good as new after that.

Maybe someone from the detailing threads can chime in here too...

I'm not a professional detailer but I have spent my fair share of time doing it and that's exactly how I clean Alcantara. Hell, that's pretty much how I clean any fabric. Woolite/water will clean almost anything. It's good stuff.

JoeyBananaz18 · 12-15-2009, 10:00 AM

i believe gulf fabrics (miami) is the main importer of alcantara from italy. email them any questions.

!Xoible · 12-15-2009, 10:05 AM

dont touch it with your hands, and give it a hug every once in a while

doba_s · 12-15-2009, 10:31 AM

driving gloves is your best bet ! Pics of the steering wheel ?

novablackm3 · 12-16-2009, 08:14 AM

3m scotchgard

12-09-2009, 07:53 PM	#1
ACZakka325i Colonel 277 Rep 2,008 Posts Drives: 2 stroke Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT iTrader: (2)	How to care for Alcantara Steering Wheel? Got mine installed. I have been avoiding palm-steering as to not abraise the material. Should I scotch guard it? Is a little water bad for it? What about sweat? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks, __________________ (Waitlist): #1 M2CSL (Current): 2016 F15 X5 3.5xdrive - 2010 997.2 C4S Coupe (Past): 2016 F30 340xi M-Sport -2013 535i xdrive 2008 E92 M3 - 2006 E90 325i 2002 E46 325xi - 1991 E30 325i
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12-09-2009, 08:26 PM	#2
mike2016 Private First Class 23 Rep 155 Posts Drives: E92 M3 MW ZCP Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: city of industry, CA iTrader: (0)	don't sweat too much on the hand __________________ 11 e92 M3 mineral white ZCP DCT
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12-09-2009, 08:38 PM	#3
Kyoshi71 Colonel 93 Rep 2,528 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Perfect solution: http://www.bimmerzone.com/BMW_driving_gloves.htm
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12-09-2009, 08:42 PM	#4
montreal red chris 278 Rep 12,144 Posts Drives: White Boat Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (31)	alcantara tends to discolor after a few years of use... hence i usually recommend people who re-do their steering wheels with me not to do it in alcantara unless they are prepared to pay for another re-upholster in a few years time __________________ Current: 2013 F10 M5 & 2016 Mini JCW 2013 GLK350 (gone), 997.1 GT3RS (gone), 2009 WRX STI (gone), e92 M3 (gone)
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12-09-2009, 10:06 PM	#6
wheelman Private First Class 3 Rep 115 Posts Drives: '09 E90 M3 MT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	I had great luck using Palmolive on my E46 ZHP. I was also careful to drive with clean hands. After four years of daily driving, the wheel looked almost new. __________________
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12-11-2009, 07:32 AM	#7
zuggerat89 Still waiting... 25 Rep 887 Posts Drives: OGV Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Monmouth County, NJ iTrader: (0)	I had my shift knob reupholstered in alcantara and that is a HIGH wear area. I've had it on since March and it still looks good. You just have to maintain it. I usually vacuum it out with a brush attachment to lift all the bound fibers and dirt. Every once in a while I clean it with a solution of 1/5 - woolite/water, making sure not to soak the fabric through, then I blot the solution out and let it dry. Then vacuum again with a brush attachment to release the fibers. It looks as good as new after that. Maybe someone from the detailing threads can chime in here too...
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12-15-2009, 10:00 AM	#10
JoeyBananaz18 Brigadier General 398 Rep 4,084 Posts Drives: metrocard Join Date: May 2009 Location: Whitestone, NY iTrader: (3)	i believe gulf fabrics (miami) is the main importer of alcantara from italy. email them any questions. __________________ 7/18/09- I pick up my baby- 2009 E92 335i Xdrive, Space Gray over Coral Red. Premium Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, M-Sport Pkg, 193Ms, Gloss Black grills, Custom Gloss Black Mirrors, Performance shift and E-brake boot, M3 spoiler, Euro fog switch, gloss black interior tim, Coco-Mats (red/black), H&R coilovers, 19'' Alufelgen SF-71s......
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12-15-2009, 10:05 AM	#11
!Xoible Banned 832 Rep 46,029 Posts Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 [4.00] 2007 335i [9.00] 2008 528i [8.00] 2006 Infiniti - G35 ... [8.00]	dont touch it with your hands, and give it a hug every once in a while
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12-15-2009, 10:31 AM	#12
doba_s Major General 405 Rep 6,107 Posts Drives: X7 l Cayenne l 997.2RS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Danville iTrader: (26)	driving gloves is your best bet ! Pics of the steering wheel ?
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12-16-2009, 08:14 AM	#13
novablackm3 Captain 125 Rep 813 Posts Drives: Performante, G05 M50i, RR SVR Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (3)	3m scotchgard __________________ Huracán Performante 18- Novitec Springs \| RR SVR 19 \| G05 X5 M50i \| E70 11 X5M retired \| Jerez Black E92 10 m3 RE SSK \| AFE Filter \| Fabspeed XFC / Xpipe \| AA ECU 1.5v \| BMW PSW \| Envy Charger \| Megan Exhaust
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