Caring for Alcantera

[setaonivek]

ok, so i have had the SHO since June, i am concerned that the alcantera is being destroyed by light use .. what do you guy use to care/clean your alcantera wheel?

short of wearing gloves, i want to protect and keep it gorgeous for a long time ..

 

[glock-coma]

I believe zsho had a similar issue.
ALCANTARA steering wheel fading
http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php?topic=5388

 

[ajpturbo]

short of wearing gloves, i want to protect and keep it gorgeous for a long time ..

It wont last a long time...its a ridiculous material to make a steering wheel out of...u want a luxurious feel?...then pay the premium...and totally unfair for the oem to replace it under warranty...at what point is it the consumers fault for making a poor decision?....your hands nearly always have natural oils on them not to mention french fry grease, chai lattes and boogers from the nose picker that operates the car....but because after 24 months it doesnt look like it did at the dealer they should replace it?....what about the pungent smell of the seats that smell like farts after a few hundred daily commutes to work.guess they should replace the seats because they dont smell the same either 

 

[PokerMunkee]

I have almost 30K miles on mine and it's looking good.  I love the feel and hope it continues to hold up.  I won't keep this car forever, so I'm sure when it starts looking bad, I'll be on a 2020 Fusion RS

 

[ajpturbo]

I have almost 30K miles on mine and it's looking good.  I love the feel and hope it continues to hold up.  I won't keep this car forever, so I'm sure when it starts looking bad, I'll be on a 2020 Fusion RS

I like your plan alot

 

[Vortech347]

short of wearing gloves, i want to protect and keep it gorgeous for a long time ..

It wont last a long time...its a ridiculous material to make a steering wheel out of...u want a luxurious feel?...then pay the premium...and totally unfair for the oem to replace it under warranty...at what point is it the consumers fault for making a poor decision?....your hands nearly always have natural oils on them not to mention french fry grease, chai lattes and boogers from the nose picker that operates the car....but because after 24 months it doesnt look like it did at the dealer they should replace it?....what about the pungent smell of the seats that smell like farts after a few hundred daily commutes to work.guess they should replace the seats because they dont smell the same either

While driving my car back from Colorado immediately I wasn't sold on it either.  I don't like having two different levels of friction on the wheel and after long use It might look like crap.  I plan on keeping this car for at least 6 years.  I've thought about keeping an eye on ebay for a heated full leather one and swapping them myself once the 4/48 (CPO) warranty is up. Its growing on me a bit.  But I still prefer a 100% leather wrapped wheel.

 

[ZSHO]

I would take the necessary precautions mainly in the summer avoiding any potential and harmful uv rays which will slowly in overtime dry out the oils on the suede,think the KFC greasy drive thru might benefit and prolong the suedes endurance in the long run,might want to consider using a steering wheel cover mainly in the summer to help and preserve those essential oils on the suede from degrade.    Btw there is a custom leather stitch cover that was available a while back,just a thought.  Z

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

I'm gonna order some fuzzy dice to go with my wheel cover, maybe string some rope lights in the footwells too.



All jesting aside I've gotten in the habit of washing my hands virtually every time I get in the car, especially when eating out or dumping nitropropane in some evil doers gas tank. 

 

[ZSHO]

I'm gonna order some fuzzy dice to go with my wheel cover, maybe string some rope lights in the footwells too.



All jesting aside I've gotten in the habit of washing my hands virtually every time I get in the car, especially when eating out or dumping nitropropane in some evil doers gas tank. 

Here's a cover to match with the Fuzzy dice.lol  Z    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B2E6LE2/ref=twister_B009EHO3QW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1   

 

[ecoboostsho]

Just so you guys know Alcantara is a synthetic microfiber and is NOT made from an animal.  I bought the SONAX cleaner and it seems to keep mine in decent shape.

More fun reading

http://jalopnik.com/what-the-hell-is-alacantara-anyway-1604799947

 

[firewater88]

Found this over on Tesla forum. I don't have the steering wheel issue on the Flex, but have it on the seats.
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/21718-How-to-PROPERLY-Clean-and-Maintain-Suede-and-Alcantara


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