Saloon Steering Wheel Alcantara Wear

[hawesy25]

Hi all,

Looking for some advice. I have some heavy wear on the alcantara parts of my steering wheel, most of which was from previous owner.

Can anyone recommend a product to clean this up or do you think it requires a retrim?

Cheers

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jonny B]

I don’t think that is coming back to life , how many miles has it done . ?
On partially “flat “ alcantara I have had some success with a shoe suede brush but that looks completely worn to the bone .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hawesy25]

I don’t think that is coming back to life , how many miles has it done . ?
On partially “flat “ alcantara I have had some success with a shoe suede brush but that looks completely worn to the bone .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s done 16k - yeah was my thinking too that it would need a retrim. Doubt I would have any joy under warranty...what you think?

It was like this when I purchased it at 8k - should have questioned it then!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[123Quattro]

Detailer here. I think that can be recovered actually. I'd use CarPro inside and an upholstery brush like a colourlock, Work it in and let it foam upend then wipe away with a short nap microfibre. Repeat until it comes clean and looks good. Then use the brush to gently fluff up the pile again.

That is just sweat and dirt and grease, the alcantara may not be damaged. Gross though!

Once you get it clean, and to anyone else looking to prevent this, hit it with some fabric protector (CarPro Fabric is my go-to).

 

[Jonny B]

It’s done 16k - yeah was my thinking too that it would need a retrim. Doubt I would have any joy under warranty...what you think?

It was like this when I purchased it at 8k - should have questioned it then!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

8k ! Someone has had some seriously grubby paws on that or has tried to “clean” it . At that mileage with normal use mine was as new . I know that doesn’t help you but in normal use that shouldn’t / dosent happen . Warranty claim I very much doubt would be successful.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hawesy25]

Detailer here. I think that can be recovered actually. I'd use CarPro inside and an upholstery brush like a colourlock, Work it in and let it foam upend then wipe away with a short nap microfibre. Repeat until it comes clean and looks good. Then use the brush to gently fluff up the pile again.

That is just sweat and dirt and grease, the alcantara may not be damaged. Gross though!

Once you get it clean, and to anyone else looking to prevent this, hit it with some fabric protector (CarPro Fabric is my go-to).

Many thanks for the tip. Will defiantly give this a go!

Fingers crossed it improves it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Flowrider99]

Alcantara is a bad idea on steering wheels, especially in areas where the wheel is normal held. If it were me I would have it retrimmed in all leather. Royal Steering Wheels will do an excellent job.

 

[123Quattro]

Many thanks for the tip. Will defiantly give this a go!

Fingers crossed it improves it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You're welcome mate. Post your results!

 

[123Quattro]

Alcantara is a bad idea on steering wheels, especially in areas where the wheel is normal held. If it were me I would have it retrimmed in all leather. Royal Steering Wheels will do an excellent job.

Agreed. It is a terrible idea along with piano black trim, but alcantara is more durable than many think. It's not real suede, just a synthetic look alike. Protecting it with a hydrophobic coating will make it very easy and safe to clean and it just a good idea, because it absolutely willet dirty and matted unless you drive with gloves on!

 

[Ja5on]

biggest fear I have over the Alcantara is that happening. Bad practice I know but on motorway driving I try and hold the leather parts of the wheel.

Even then after a few months of ownership I have to admit I find the Alcantara wheel a downside of the car. Alcantara and race gloves, lovely and grippy not so much with just skin

 

[TRANC3]

Definitely have a go at recovering this yourself. My detailer had great success with mine (not quite as bad as the above), came back looking like new. I get him to freshen it up every 3-6 months.

 

[1664Hatter]

I gave mine a good clean the other week, just fabric cleaner, clean water then a suede brush, not as bad as the above but my car has done 16k. Looks like new again now. Good luck.

 

[sve170]

I always thought that the placing of the Alcantara on the FL RS3 was a mistake, it’s exactly where we place our hands and was a bad move.
I like the Alcantara but on a long motorway journey I seem to be always moving my hands to different positions.

The Pre-FL RS3 had the Alcantara placed in the perfect position on the steering wheel, and our hands positioned on the leather sections, sometimes change is not the best way to go.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Riko0073]

This has made me look at mine but after 7k miles it still looks good, a bit of flattening around the main curve of the wheel but I’ve ordered some alcantara cleaner and protector so will be cleaning and protecting at the weekend and will add into my maintenance routine to ensure it looks new for a long time.

A wheel like the OP’s would drive me insane and I hope you get it sorted mate.

 

[hawesy25]

This has made me look at mine but after 7k miles it still looks good, a bit of flattening around the main curve of the wheel but I’ve ordered some alcantara cleaner and protector so will be cleaning and protecting at the weekend and will add into my maintenance routine to ensure it looks new for a long time.

A wheel like the OP’s would drive me insane and I hope you get it sorted mate.

It’s never bothered me that much up until now. One of those things where I’ve just never gotten round to sorting it out.

However, I’ve ordered some Car Pro based on 123Quattro’s recommendation. I’m hoping this should do the job, but failing that I’ll have it re-trimmed. Possibly the same as the pre FL design as I agree with sve170, less prone to dirt/wear and still looks nice.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[123Quattro]

It’s never bothered me that much up until now. One of those things where I’ve just never gotten round to sorting it out.

However, I’ve ordered some Car Pro based on 123Quattro’s recommendation. I’m hoping this should do the job, but failing that I’ll have it re-trimmed. Possibly the same as the pre FL design as I agree with sve170, less prone to dirt/wear and still looks nice.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just a tip with CarPro inside - do use a brush and let it foam up, it lathers really nice and wipes away clean. It doens't work at all well as a spray on and wipe off in my experience. Used as a emulsifier it is phenomenal stuff for leather, vinyl plastic and alcantara. Good luck, and do post your result. I think that's the mankiest alcantara surface I've seen yet

 

[hawesy25]

Just a tip with CarPro inside - do use a brush and let it foam up, it lathers really nice and wipes away clean. It doens't work at all well as a spray on and wipe off in my experience. Used as a emulsifier it is phenomenal stuff for leather, vinyl plastic and alcantara. Good luck, and do post your result. I think that's the mankiest alcantara surface I've seen yet

Thanks mate! Appreciate it.

Will post results


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hawesy25]

Right, so I have to say a massive thanks to 123Quattro! Took his advice on the Car Pro Inside cleaner and it’s like I have a brand new wheel. Didn’t realise exactly how bad it was until the before and after pics. Thanks mate.

To anyone looking to ‘refresh’ their wheel, try this stuff you won’t go wrong.

Cheers all

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[simonali]

Wow, that's an amazing improvement!

 

[123Quattro]

Wow, well done pal, that looks brand new again.

 

[D0C]

Unbelievable! Looks like new.

 

[replicant71]

Wow, that is impressive! My steering wheel is in a similar state to what yours was, so I may have to give this a go. Where did you get the Carpro Inside from and what is the process for applying it? Cheers.

 

[hawesy25]

Wow, that is impressive! My steering wheel is in a similar state to what yours was, so I may have to give this a go. Where did you get the Carpro Inside from and what is the process for applying it? Cheers.

Thanks, night and day difference.

Product: https://www.slimsdetailing.co.uk/carpro-inside-leather-interior-multi-purpose-cleaner.html

Brush: https://www.slimsdetailing.co.uk/chemical-guys-the-goat-boar-s-hair-detail-brush.html

A damp microfibre cloth.

Follow @123Quattro instructions in the thread.

Good luck


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ja5on]

great results

 

[Jonny B]

I don’t think that is coming back to life , how many miles has it done . ?
On partially “flat “ alcantara I have had some success with a shoe suede brush but that looks completely worn to the bone .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I stand corrected ! It has come back from the dead . I’m amazed . Well done you .....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[simonali]

Driving the RS must've given the previous owner sweaty hands!

 

[Terminator x]

Hi all,

Looking for some advice. I have some heavy wear on the alcantara parts of my steering wheel, most of which was from previous owner.

Can anyone recommend a product to clean this up or do you think it requires a retrim?

Cheers

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And they called us mad when we commented that the FL alcantara was "in the wrong place"

TX.

Sent from my BBB100-2 using Tapatalk

 

[TRANC3]

WOW! I really thought yours was too far gone to be rescued! That is a mind bending difference - you must be over the moon!

 

[jebusRS]

jesus, that is one amazing transformation. looks like a new wheel.

 

[Slowracer]

I was so impressed with the results that I have ordered some of this stuff to clean my work van seats.

 

[AudiNutta]

Right, so I have to say a massive thanks to 123Quattro! Took his advice on the Car Pro Inside cleaner and it’s like I have a brand new wheel. Didn’t realise exactly how bad it was until the before and after pics. Thanks mate.

To anyone looking to ‘refresh’ their wheel, try this stuff you won’t go wrong.

Cheers all

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well wow that is truly incredible, I’ve cleaned up a few wheels in my time and I thought that one was long gone... it looked as if the alcantara had been removed and it was the base layer.

Awesome result and will no doubt improve the experience seeing as that’s the thing you touch most.

 

[Djpfrozenp]

Went and bought the CarPro Inside after reading this thread.
Delivered today so can't wait to spruce up my steering wheel tonight.

 

[Snake Pliskin]

As everyone has said ... I am gob smacked.

I just read this thread and saw your original alcantara pics and also thought that has well & truly had it and will need a re-cover.

Your post treatment pics are incredible WOW !!!!

 

[Tartaris]

Makes me think of what a grot the previous owner must have been.

 

[Spinstorm]

I bought this stuff as well. I have a full alcantara wheel and although it wasn’t nearly as bad as the wheel seen above (or as one of the RS3s wheels on sale at West London Audi) it has made my wheel feel fluffy again.

I know find myself brushing my steering wheel at the traffic lights which must look very strange.