Alcantara Cleaning and Protecting

[pegogetem]

What are yall using?

[Burrcold]

Sonax Upholstery and Alcantara Cleaner

[BlkGS]

Damp microfiber cloth.

[Dom147]

I use dr beasley's microsuede protectant and brush often. I have alcantara on my steering wheel and I drive with a pair of Dent's Rolleston gloves.

The sonax cleaner everyone uses seems to work amazingly if your alcantara is all oily or matted down.

[shimmy23]

here's what i don't understand about cleaning alcantara. when we use a product like sonax, aren't we still leaving cleaning residue on the alcantara and in theory that is collecting dirt/oils quicker? kinda like carpet cleaning? it's important to get all the soapy residual out of the carpet

[Dom147]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

here's what i don't understand about cleaning alcantara. when we use a product like sonax, aren't we still leaving cleaning residue on the alcantara and in theory that is collecting dirt/oils quicker? kinda like carpet cleaning? it's important to get all the soapy residual out of the carpet

I think that's why the brushing element is important and probably part of the instructions for the cleaner.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

here's what i don't understand about cleaning alcantara. when we use a product like sonax, aren't we still leaving cleaning residue on the alcantara and in theory that is collecting dirt/oils quicker? kinda like carpet cleaning? it's important to get all the soapy residual out of the carpet

Alcantara isn't a thick "pile" so the cleaner doesn't saturate the fibers. Most of the cleaner is removed when you go over it the second time with a damp microfiber cloth. Then you let it dry and the remaining cleaner dries into an extremely light powder/grain. This is where the brushing comes in to fluff up the fibers and brush away the dried residue.

To help future oil and dirt transfer once cleaned, you can use something like Pinnacle Black Label alcantara protectant. Both products are pretty awesome and can get the nastiest matted alcantara looking virtually brand new.

[louielouie]

Warm water+MF towel. Squeeze, don't rub. Rubbing will eventually cause matting. I brush it out with a soft brush once a week, and occasionally while driving.

I will Sonax every so often to get oils out but I have pretty dry hands so it's not a huge issue.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Alcantara isn't a thick "pile" so the cleaner doesn't saturate the fibers. Most of the cleaner is removed when you go over it the second time with a damp microfiber cloth. Then you let it dry and the remaining cleaner dries into an extremely light powder/grain. This is where the brushing comes in to fluff up the fibers and brush away the dried residue.

To help future oil and dirt transfer once cleaned, you can use something like Pinnacle Black Label alcantara protectant. Both products are pretty awesome and can get the nastiest matted alcantara looking virtually brand new.

that last time I was at the dealer.... I saw the BMW alcantara cleaner for about $10. I didn't buy one..... is that stuff any good?

(asking for my X1 with alcantara seats... 10 months old and haven't really been cleaned, except light vacuuming)

Thanks!

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

that last time I was at the dealer.... I saw the BMW alcantara cleaner for about $10. I didn't buy one..... is that stuff any good?

(asking for my X1 with alcantara seats... 10 months old and haven't really been cleaned, except light vacuuming)

Thanks!

I'll bet that this is just Sonax rebranded, in which case yes it's good.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I'll bet that this is just Sonax rebranded, in which case yes it's good.

my friend uses Audi's own alcantara cleaner and he says that one smelled like the Sonax alcantara cleaner.

does Sonax make stuff for both BMW and Audi/VW?

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

my friend uses Audi's own alcantara cleaner and he says that one smelled like the Sonax alcantara cleaner.

does Sonax make stuff for both BMW and Audi/VW?

Probably. Sonax is a German company so I could see many of the OEMs using it as "their brand".

[pegogetem]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

that last time I was at the dealer.... I saw the BMW alcantara cleaner for about $10. I didn't buy one..... is that stuff any good?

(asking for my X1 with alcantara seats... 10 months old and haven't really been cleaned, except light vacuuming)

Thanks!

WOW! I never knew this existed. Thanks!

[USMC_Sam]

This guy shares some good methods and products

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Damp microfiber cloth.

100%, all you need.