How can I properly clean the plastic Alacantara?
I have been searching through the forums and found a lot of different answers on this topic. What seems to work best for you guys? I have a light grey interior.
Adams polishes posted this: HOW DO I CLEAN IT?
Its important to understand Alcantara does not respond well to most chemical cleaners, as a matter of fact, many chemical cleaners will actually discolor or change the texture of the material permanently ruining the benefit of having such a nice material on the interior surfaces of a vehicle.
Daily cleaning and regular maintenance - I recommend the use of a medium-soft bristled brush, like the Adam’s Interior Brush, to essentially fluff and renew the material. As you sit on the seat the material will become matted or tired looking, a quick brushing will revive the material and bring it back to life. Be sure to vacuum first to remove and debris then brush in both directions. In the event you do not have a brush a clean, dry, lint free, microfiber towel will work.
For a more thorough cleaning - Start with a clean, lint free, microfiber towel and spray a light mist of Adam's Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner onto the towel. Gently wipe at any soiled areas or wipe the entire surface if its been awhile since the previous cleaning. NEVER SPRAY THE CLEANER DIRETLY ONTO THE ALCANTARA!! Flip the towel to a clean side and repeat as needed.
After the surface has been cleaned use a 2nd, dry, lint free, microfiber towel to remove any moisture and follow with a brush to re-fluff the material. Its important not to use too much product, a very light misting of cleaner onto the towel is all thats needed.
Although i found this useful, does this also take out possible odors that can possibly be in the seats from our clothes (work and the gym)?
White_Wolf posted this for this for his 40th but he said he used the dark colors, I'm assuming that is because his car has red interior? Can i use the same?
For the alcantara portions I used a 1:6 Woolite solution, and for the leather I used Leatherique.
I cleaned the alcantara and leather on seperate days. This is how I cleaned my interior...
Alcantara:
- 3 terry cloth rags; 1 for drying, 1 for warm water, 1 for woolite solution
- 1:6 Woolite solution (I used woolite for dark clothes... if that matters)
- Spray bottle for woolite
- 2 Buckets with warm water (changed when it got too dirty)
1) I wringed out the warm water rag and began wiping/light scrubbing the alcantara
*rinse rag in bucket 1*
2) Spray woolite solution onto 2nd rag and began light scrubbing the alcantara
*rinse rag in bucket 2*
3) ^ repeat steps until your rag doesn't pick up dirt... but always ending with the water rag... not sure if leaving woolite residue is a good idea
4) I dried the seats with the 3rd rag whenever I felt the seat got to saturated
Leather:
- Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil
- Leatherique Pristine Clean
- Blue painters tape
*Our seats don't need a lot. I bought an 8oz set from eBay for $36*
1) Taped off all the alcantara on the seats
2) Followed instructions that came with Leatherique
- Rubbed Rejuvenator Oil generously onto seats
- Left my car out on in the hot Hawaiian sun for 5hrs *you can use a hair dryer to warm up your cabin as well*
- Wiped oil and dirt off the seats with Pristine clean
- Stare in amazement at how the leather now looks
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