BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
M2 Technical Topics > Cosmetic Maintenance (Wash/Wax/Detailing/Exterior Restoration & Repairs) > Best way to maintain Alcantara?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-17-2019, 06:47 PM   #1
JoshuaevansF87
First Lieutenant
JoshuaevansF87's Avatar
United_States
248
Rep
354
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW M2
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Ct

iTrader: (1)

Best way to maintain Alcantara?

Just bought a Alcantara wheel for my m2 what do I need to maintain it is there a certain brush or cleaner let me know
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2019, 07:29 PM   #2
Anthony1s
Banned
756
Rep
2,149
Posts

Drives: 2018 Mineral Grey M2
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Pennsylvania

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by JoshuaevansF87 View Post
Just bought a Alcantara wheel for my m2 what do I need to maintain it is there a certain brush or cleaner let me know
Seeing the title, I was gonna say don't touch it is the best way. Then reading it's a wheel... ha, that's impossible.

Look up how to clean suede, it'll be a similar process for alcantara. Though alcantara may be a bit easier to clean. Since it's synthetic, you might get away with using harsher cleaners on it...

I would use a suede brush, like this one, every day or so to keep it maintained. Because once it gets matted and stained, it's a real PIA to clean. Actually, in my experience, suede is impossible to clean. 5 years ago, I was wearing suede slip-on shoes everyday. Once they got wet from the rain, they would get matted and stained, and I was never able to get them back to normal. Despite spending a ton of time trying many different methods. Since then I've stayed away from the material.

There are forum posts of people on the internet I've seen who have managed to restore their alcantara armrests and such to pretty good condition. However, they also say it took 8-10hrs to do. Not something I wanna spend my time on.

So yea, my recommendation is to brush your wheel frequently enough to avoid intense matting and staining. Because once that happens... good luck.

https://www.amazon.com/Shacke-Suede-.../dp/B00IIFFEPU
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2019, 08:06 PM   #3
c1pher
Primo Generalissimo
c1pher's Avatar
United_States
4544
Rep
3,995
Posts

Drives: All of them
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: DC area

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
It’s very simple. Take a warm lightly soapy (dawn) scruffy washcloth and clean it up. Use a lightly damp washcloth without soap to remove any residue and let dry. It will bring back the nap and look like new. Try to drive with clean hands to prolong the interval required to clean it.
Appreciate 1
      12-17-2019, 08:10 PM   #4
Poochie
Luxury at the redline :)
Poochie's Avatar
United_States
9099
Rep
7,563
Posts

Drives: 2016 M2
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC

iTrader: (3)

I've been using this stuff for the last couple of years, works like a charm..


AUDI Alcantara Cleaner 8oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MHKYXP1..._CRy-DbMFKA8N4
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      12-18-2019, 11:45 AM   #5
Picoschu
Private First Class
108
Rep
120
Posts

Drives: 03 E39 M5, 01 325iT, 17 328dxT
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

any gentle cleaner and a soft boar brush is enough.
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2019, 07:49 AM   #6
Luongo
Lieutenant
United_States
134
Rep
463
Posts

Drives: 2018 Porsche Carrera T
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Chicago, Illinois

iTrader: (2)

https://www.sonaxusa.com/upholstery-...a-cleaner.html

Sonax Alcantara cleaner + soft toothbrush
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2019, 11:58 PM   #7
FaRKle!
Brigadier General
3995
Rep
3,530
Posts

Drives: 328d Wagon, M2 Comp, i4 eD35
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
Use a suede protectant spray after cleaning it like Allen Edmonds', Tarrago Nano Protector, or Saphir Super Invulner. They prevent things from sticking to the alcantara better and allow you to go longer between cleanings.

Alcantara needs to be shampoo'd twice a year IME.
__________________
-328d Wagon Build Log (with helpful reference links)
-My YouTube Channel for some of the best DIYs and in depth information

Please don't PM me for suspension recommendations unless interested in paid private consultations.
Appreciate 1
CSBM52695.50
      12-21-2019, 07:44 AM   #8
M Fifty
Banned
844
Rep
1,962
Posts

Drives: M2 & 330CI
Join Date: May 2018
Location: The Interweb

iTrader: (0)

Baby wipes. Seriously.
Appreciate 0
      12-21-2019, 07:50 AM   #9
Bob Shiftright
Save The Manuals!
Bob Shiftright's Avatar
64
Rep
491
Posts

Drives: E91 Schleppwagen
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: PRNJ

iTrader: (0)

From the Alcantara website:

https://alcantara.com/en/manteinance/37/index.do

They make Alcantara!
__________________
2008 E91 36K, 6-speed, RWD, Alpine, Terra, Xenons, ZSP, ZCW, ZPP, PDC, CA, alarm, M shifter and M brake handle, Euro rear fog light switch, Euro aspheric mirrors, rear power outlets, Euro split armrest, Lidatek, remote V-1, Cocomats, beach sand, $10 clutch stop mod. 1998 Volvo V70T5 226K, 5-speed, original clutch (third clutch pedal!), aspheric driver's mirror, E-code headlights, IPD sway bar, strut tower brace & skidplate.
Appreciate 1
cb8042346.50
      12-21-2019, 11:13 AM   #10
JoshuaevansF87
First Lieutenant
JoshuaevansF87's Avatar
United_States
248
Rep
354
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW M2
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Ct

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by M Fifty View Post
Baby wipes. Seriously.
Quote:
Originally Posted by M Fifty View Post
Baby wipes. Seriously.
Haha I'll give it a try
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2019, 06:56 PM   #11
McGary911
Captain
McGary911's Avatar
United_States
467
Rep
680
Posts

Drives: 2017 LBB M2 DCT
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: St Johns, FL

iTrader: (0)

I have the same wheel and I second the Sonax route. I do mine every 2 months or so. It really does lift dirt and feels cleaner when dry. Do it when you won't be driving the car for a few hours to give it a chance to dry. Parking in the sun will speed up the drying if you can find any this time of year.

I find the best way to apply the Sonax foam is with my hands and fingers (clean, of course). That makes it super easy to ensure you're getting all the spots where your hands touch the most often.

I was initially skeptical of this stuff but ended up being pretty impressed.

Good luck.
__________________
2004 E46 ///M3 SMG Convertible Carbon Blk\Imola
2017 LBB ///M2 DCT
2013 Porsche Boxster S
Appreciate 1
      12-24-2019, 10:24 AM   #12
Anthony1s
Banned
756
Rep
2,149
Posts

Drives: 2018 Mineral Grey M2
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Pennsylvania

iTrader: (0)

I dunno... My wife yells at me when I come home with muddy boots, and that seems to work to keep my boots clean. So imma see if yelling at my alcatara has the same effect. Probably a better way to maintain it than harsh chemicals.
Appreciate 0
      12-24-2019, 10:27 AM   #13
JoshuaevansF87
First Lieutenant
JoshuaevansF87's Avatar
United_States
248
Rep
354
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW M2
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Ct

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony1s View Post
I dunno... My wife yells at me when I come home with muddy boots, and that seems to work to keep my boots clean. So imma see if yelling at my alcatara has the same effect. Probably a better way to maintain it than harsh chemicals.
Haha I don't got a wife to yell at my Alcantara so don't think that'll work :
Appreciate 0
      12-24-2019, 04:17 PM   #14
rjd598
Banned
United_States
1770
Rep
6,696
Posts

Drives: F30 340i
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego,CA

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2016 BMW 340i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Luongo View Post
https://www.sonaxusa.com/upholstery-...a-cleaner.html

Sonax Alcantara cleaner + soft toothbrush
I second this recommendation.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:31 AM.




m2
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST