The $64K Question: Cleaning "Alcantara" - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Draco-REX · 08-30-2012, 02:56 PM

I'm on a number of automotive forums, and in the detailing areas, cleaning "Alcantara" is always tip-toed around.

So, on the record, how do you detailing gurus keep Alcantara and other synthetic suede materials clean? And how do you remove stains without damaging the suede-like feel?

Perfections · 08-30-2012, 04:09 PM

To clean use leather master foam cleaner

To protect use leather master nubuck Eco protector

Works great

switchlanez · 08-30-2012, 04:19 PM

The is the 2nd car I've owned with Alcantara seats. I've used seat covers both times.

ayau · 08-30-2012, 04:25 PM

i use a damp (water) warm towel.

CBR600RR · 08-30-2012, 04:33 PM

Those seat covers look pretty rediculous. It looks like the bolsters are now non-existant.

911fanatic · 08-30-2012, 05:14 PM

Raceglaze Alcantara Cleaner or Autoglym Interior Shampoo. Lightly mist onto alcantara and gently wipe.

switchlanez · 08-30-2012, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBR600RR

Those seat covers look pretty rediculous. It looks like the bolsters are now non-existant.

Nope, these inserts have very thin padding and conform to the shape of the seat once you sit in plus feel more comfy than stock. The elastic bands are stretching them so the pic looks misleading but in actuality your weight completely presses them into the bolsters so they don't shield the functionality of the bolsters; you still feel "hugged" just the same. The only difference is you'll hardly have to clean the dust magnet Alcantara inserts. And for the times you need serious seat grip, just pull them off.

wallace03 · 08-30-2012, 08:52 PM

im more interested in protecting. does anyone know from personal experience if fabric guard sprays are safe to spray on these seats?

Accathla · 08-30-2012, 09:45 PM

Anyone try any of the lexol products on it? Like i just got this http://www.autogeek.net/lexolkit.html and that seems like it would clean everything i need on the interior just not sure about the center of the seats.

Perfections · 08-30-2012, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallace03

im more interested in protecting. does anyone know from personal experience if fabric guard sprays are safe to spray on these seats?

The one I mentioned above I've tested on several other alcantara seats but not an frs/brz specifically.

switchlanez · 08-30-2012, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallace03

im more interested in protecting. does anyone know from personal experience if fabric guard sprays are safe to spray on these seats?

I sprayed 3M ScotchGard before I put on the seat covers. I read somewhere that Alcantara is a synthetic fabric (not organic like suede or leather) and had a hunch that ScotchGard (which is designed for fabrics) wouldn't hurt. I did a quick google search before spraying and didn't find anything negative on this.

wallace03 · 08-31-2012, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfections

The one I mentioned above I've tested on several other alcantara seats but not an frs/brz specifically.

lol its so expensive! but if i find its my only option then ill have no other choice.

Draco-REX · 08-31-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfections

To clean use leather master foam cleaner

To protect use leather master nubuck Eco protector

Works great

A leather cleaner on a synthetic material?

Perfections · 08-31-2012, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

A leather cleaner on a synthetic material?

Leather master is the brand, they make a wide range of cleaners and protectants and are in the upper range available to a consumer. Not sure if I can post links to stores but if you google it you'll find plenty that sell it and I'd assume nothing but great reviews. Foam cleaners are the way to go on moisture sensitive materials like alcantara.

08-30-2012, 02:56 PM	#1
Draco-REX Corner Junkie Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 13 BRZ, 11 STI, 99 RS Location: Ohio Posts: 2,908 Thanks: 129 Thanked 1,520 Times in 702 Posts Mentioned: 11 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The $64K Question: Cleaning "Alcantara" I'm on a number of automotive forums, and in the detailing areas, cleaning "Alcantara" is always tip-toed around. So, on the record, how do you detailing gurus keep Alcantara and other synthetic suede materials clean? And how do you remove stains without damaging the suede-like feel?

08-30-2012, 04:19 PM	#3
switchlanez Glorious BRZ Master Race Join Date: Apr 2011 Drives: Subaru Libird Location: Race Wars Posts: 3,645 Thanks: 1,050 Thanked 2,718 Times in 1,079 Posts Mentioned: 110 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The is the 2nd car I've owned with Alcantara seats. I've used seat covers both times. __________________ << BUILD THREAD >>

08-30-2012, 08:52 PM	#8
wallace03 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: WRB BRZ Location: Houston Posts: 637 Thanks: 43 Thanked 143 Times in 95 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	im more interested in protecting. does anyone know from personal experience if fabric guard sprays are safe to spray on these seats? __________________

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08-30-2012, 04:09 PM	#2
Perfections Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: Murano Location: Beaumont Texas Posts: 124 Thanks: 0 Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	To clean use leather master foam cleaner To protect use leather master nubuck Eco protector Works great

08-30-2012, 04:25 PM	#4
ayau Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: Some rust bucket Location: Polar ice cap Posts: 3,058 Thanks: 312 Thanked 1,045 Times in 556 Posts Mentioned: 37 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	i use a damp (water) warm towel.

08-30-2012, 04:33 PM	#5
CBR600RR Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: Raven Black Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,343 Thanks: 451 Thanked 563 Times in 276 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Those seat covers look pretty rediculous. It looks like the bolsters are now non-existant.

08-30-2012, 05:14 PM	#6
911fanatic Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 2003 W8 Passat Wagen 4Motion Location: Maple Ridge, BC Posts: 144 Thanks: 14 Thanked 53 Times in 33 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Raceglaze Alcantara Cleaner or Autoglym Interior Shampoo. Lightly mist onto alcantara and gently wipe.

08-30-2012, 09:45 PM	#9
Accathla Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: WRB Pearl BRZ Location: South Florida Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Anyone try any of the lexol products on it? Like i just got this http://www.autogeek.net/lexolkit.html and that seems like it would clean everything i need on the interior just not sure about the center of the seats.

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