I like the fact that you take in experts and show how to do some special tasks in the detailing process. It gives another dimension to your channel and we are learning a lot.
I used to have a Honda Type R with Alcantara Recaro seats before i knew anything about detailing and this video has made me realise that i was doing everything completely wrong for about 6 years. I used to blast it with a can of bog standard Autoglym foaming upholstery cleaner, then scrub it quite aggressively with a cheap microfibre cloth from Tesco. It would still be damp with product after i had finished & gradually deteriorated with age. I'll be watching this video again in the future if i ever return to a car with Alcantara seats.
I’ve got to clean a Volvo soon and it has Alcantara seats, found this useful and I was always lead to believe you couldn’t get this material wet only damp
I’ve always used a woolite solution sprayed it on and went hell for leather with a soft brush then used a wet and dry hoover to suck out the product. I have covers on the seats now as red Alcantara is a nightmare to keep clean. I was thinking the other day I might try the wet extractor on them and take the covers off but with us coming into winter I might just leave them on til spring. Prevention is better than cure and all that 🤣 but awesome video John been looking forward to it for a while 👍🏽
Jon, I've got some 'Alcantara' on the A pillars of my car and I'm looking for something just to give then the odd wipe down when doing a regular interior detail (they never get 'dirty'), what would you recommend, also should I be looking for some type of protection from UV. I currently use Turtle Wax Inside Job for the rest of my interior, but Turtle Wax say it shouldn't be used on Alcantara. Any suggestions would be welcome.
I would just leave. Wipe over with damp cloth a tiny mist of APC once a year. Avoid touching it. You could use fabric sealant. Ram at heist is the expert. Maybe check Gtech smart fabric as well to see if it's compatibles
Good video guys, any ph neutral detergent will do the same thing. Ive been cleaning seat for years......you dont need to buy expensive products to do this????
Jon,what is the main diference using na extator or a normal vacum cleaner?Its just the vantage of using the water at the same time that is vaccuming or the power of suking all out?
a proper wet and dry has the ability to squirt water or solution into the fabric. So you actually have to fill my vax up with water of cleaning solution (water in this case). Some normal vacuums can handle sucking up water (like my titan) so I could stick the fish tail on that and just extract.. but have the water to hand with just a pull of a trigger is valuable. the 6131 that I use costs 75 quid from wickes (sometimes). I did a mod video on how to add the george fish tail.
Alf M I second this motion! Benz says it’s vinyl, but I’ve never seen vinyl last over 3 decades without turning hard as rock. (I suspect it’s actually unicorn leather 🦄)
Most people won't use an extractor to clean their alcantara, then why using a sponge instead of a more absorbant microfiber to remove the cleaner from the fabric? I'm having trouble understanding that part, if you have an idea John. Also, i think it must be said once and for all after seeing this video: Alcantara is more delicate and won't endure as much contact as natural leather. This dude is a profesionnal, knows the fabric, and specifically doesn't brush alcantara and instead just use a soft foam applicator to spread the cleaner. Because it is a softer material and shouldn't be touch as roughly as carpet or leather. That's why alcantara on seats and surfaces that will be touch is not a good idea in my opinion. Plus often you will pay same price or more for alcantara vs leather despite being cheaper as a raw material. Alcantara is good when it's new, but i will always keep it for headliner, or door cards, places that won't see a lot of contact. Steering wheel with alcantara is a lot of work to keep it in good shape
you might need to use a brush if its heavily soiled but just go light handed and dont scrub the hell out of it. otherwise yer sponge. I think a sponge can actually draw more water.. and you can sort of instantly knock 95% of the water out of a sponge with one squeeze microfiber you will perhaps be using lots of towels.. but dunno maybe you can use microfiber?
what about a fan just to move air across it to help it dry completely in a closed space like a car? Open all the doors and use a fan to just move the air? Biggest problem you hear is cars never dry completely (rugs, cloth seats) and will mold if not fully dried,
I probably was :) :) I have a real problem with noise, even though Im on a cul-da-sac.. like gardeners show up and start mowing lawns or trucks or airpanes.. normal stuff I guess.. only thing is its quiet as a mouse until I hit record then bang :)
what kris said basically. the clean water just helped flush out the cleaner from the fabric. It was wet but then extractor was used to get it to damp. And it was dry next day after leaving in garage (its cold now as well in the UK). but yes you need to be carefull over wetting if you dont have an extractor perhaps.
I like the fact that you take in experts and show how to do some special tasks in the detailing process. It gives another dimension to your channel and we are learning a lot.
Think I've just figured out where I've been going wrong with my alcantara steering wheel, THANK YOU
Flip me! I was just looking up how to do Alcantara and low and behold my favourite channel just uploads one!! 😎👍
I used to have a Honda Type R with Alcantara Recaro seats before i knew anything about detailing and this video has made me realise that i was doing everything completely wrong for about 6 years. I used to blast it with a can of bog standard Autoglym foaming upholstery cleaner, then scrub it quite aggressively with a cheap microfibre cloth from Tesco. It would still be damp with product after i had finished & gradually deteriorated with age.
I'll be watching this video again in the future if i ever return to a car with Alcantara seats.
I’ve got to clean a Volvo soon and it has Alcantara seats, found this useful and I was always lead to believe you couldn’t get this material wet only damp
I’ve always used a woolite solution sprayed it on and went hell for leather with a soft brush then used a wet and dry hoover to suck out the product. I have covers on the seats now as red Alcantara is a nightmare to keep clean. I was thinking the other day I might try the wet extractor on them and take the covers off but with us coming into winter I might just leave them on til spring. Prevention is better than cure and all that 🤣 but awesome video John been looking forward to it for a while 👍🏽
I buy mine from Koch chemie leather and alcantara cleaner all in one great product
Awesome video and thanks Ram & Jon!
Thank's for the good content as always , even tho you never like my humor 😏 😂😜
Brilliant video as I am not sure what is in my Octavia so I think it may be alcatara
Jon, I've got some 'Alcantara' on the A pillars of my car and I'm looking for something just to give then the odd wipe down when doing a regular interior detail (they never get 'dirty'), what would you recommend, also should I be looking for some type of protection from UV. I currently use Turtle Wax Inside Job for the rest of my interior, but Turtle Wax say it shouldn't be used on Alcantara. Any suggestions would be welcome.
I would just leave. Wipe over with damp cloth a tiny mist of APC once a year. Avoid touching it. You could use fabric sealant. Ram at heist is the expert. Maybe check Gtech smart fabric as well to see if it's compatibles
Good video guys, any ph neutral detergent will do the same thing. Ive been cleaning seat for years......you dont need to buy expensive products to do this????
Thank you. Is it also possible to steamclean alcantra, since you also are using an extractor?
Greetz, from Holland.
Jon,what is the main diference using na extator or a normal vacum cleaner?Its just the vantage of using the water at the same time that is vaccuming or the power of suking all out?
a proper wet and dry has the ability to squirt water or solution into the fabric. So you actually have to fill my vax up with water of cleaning solution (water in this case). Some normal vacuums can handle sucking up water (like my titan) so I could stick the fish tail on that and just extract.. but have the water to hand with just a pull of a trigger is valuable. the 6131 that I use costs 75 quid from wickes (sometimes). I did a mod video on how to add the george fish tail.
And now I know how to clean alcantara!
Great video, thx! Can you do one on how best to clean MB-Tex?
Alf M I second this motion! Benz says it’s vinyl, but I’ve never seen vinyl last over 3 decades without turning hard as rock. (I suspect it’s actually unicorn leather 🦄)
Thank you, thank you so very much
Good info thanks
Colorlock from Autopflegezentrum are the best products for leather care on the market!
I am a big fan of their products!
Most people won't use an extractor to clean their alcantara, then why using a sponge instead of a more absorbant microfiber to remove the cleaner from the fabric? I'm having trouble understanding that part, if you have an idea John.
Also, i think it must be said once and for all after seeing this video: Alcantara is more delicate and won't endure as much contact as natural leather.
This dude is a profesionnal, knows the fabric, and specifically doesn't brush alcantara and instead just use a soft foam applicator to spread the cleaner. Because it is a softer material and shouldn't be touch as roughly as carpet or leather.
That's why alcantara on seats and surfaces that will be touch is not a good idea in my opinion. Plus often you will pay same price or more for alcantara vs leather despite being cheaper as a raw material.
Alcantara is good when it's new, but i will always keep it for headliner, or door cards, places that won't see a lot of contact. Steering wheel with alcantara is a lot of work to keep it in good shape
you might need to use a brush if its heavily soiled but just go light handed and dont scrub the hell out of it. otherwise yer sponge. I think a sponge can actually draw more water.. and you can sort of instantly knock 95% of the water out of a sponge with one squeeze microfiber you will perhaps be using lots of towels.. but dunno maybe you can use microfiber?
Great tips thank you Jon & Ram 👍
Could I get away with using heavily diluted APC or even low foam brisk ?
what about a fan just to move air across it to help it dry completely in a closed space like a car? Open all the doors and use a fan to just move the air? Biggest problem you hear is cars never dry completely (rugs, cloth seats) and will mold if not fully dried,
BigOldDog A small plug in dehumidifier could also be an option as that would speed it along without applying direct heat😎
The intro music is much better, the other music was a little depressing
......but wheres Reg Greetham?
How do you clean alcantara that smells like arse?
Jon looks annoyed at the fact there’s someone keeps firing up a Hoover in background at the beginning lol
I probably was :) :) I have a real problem with noise, even though Im on a cul-da-sac.. like gardeners show up and start mowing lawns or trucks or airpanes.. normal stuff I guess.. only thing is its quiet as a mouse until I hit record then bang :)
Anyone else get irritated by that power cable knot ???
I'll be fucking honest I'll believe it thay that's 150k. As after 6k my white on white are almost that color
The only issue I have with this is putting that much water into the foam backing, it will take way too long to dry which is a really bad thing
what kris said basically. the clean water just helped flush out the cleaner from the fabric. It was wet but then extractor was used to get it to damp. And it was dry next day after leaving in garage (its cold now as well in the UK). but yes you need to be carefull over wetting if you dont have an extractor perhaps.