Repairing alcantara (with photos)

[volvokid]

Thought I would post this as I know that the alcantara on the steering wheels go a bit flat, and look a bit passed it.
Here’s a little how to, on sorting the alcantara out.

Equipment
Alcantara cleaner (got it from Swissvax £20)
Suede brush
Electric shaver (bought new from Tesco Philips i'll have you know not for personal use lol)
Hair drier
Soft cloth
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020453.jpg
First I started with the seats
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020425.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020426.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020430.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020433.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020434.jpg

This was the easy part first of hover the seat thoroughly because you don’t want to catch any lose dirt with the razor blades. I just had to shave the little bubbles off very lightly being very careful not to catch any of the stitching once this was done I sprayed the alcantara with the cleaner you don’t want to drench the seats with the cleaner then I just wiped it gently with a soft white cloth. (DON’T SIT ON THE SEAT WHILE ITS WET AS COULOR TRANFER MAY OCCUR FROM YOU CLOTHS TO THE SEAT).
Heres the result

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020428.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020435.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020436.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020437.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020438.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020438.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020439.jpg

Now to the steering wheel, I wasn’t sure if this would work and I was amazed when it was just dirt that was trapping the fibbers on the wheel.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020444.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020442.jpg

I started by cleaning the alcantara with the cleaner and a cloth during this I used the brush to agitate the alcantara and immediately the alcantara started to regain it original texture. Once it was all fluffed up lol I used the hair drier on a low heat to quickly dry it.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020445.jpg

[volvokid]

Now I had to make the alcantara look a bit more subtle by shaving all the excess strands this bit takes a while unless you have a super doper razor but its worth it in the end.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020447.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020451.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh9/volvokidv70r/P1020452.jpg
I could maybe give the wheel a bit more of a hair cut but the results were really good.
What do you think?

[Tomcat]

Oh, nice write up, I may have a go at my wheel at some point as the alacantra looks awefull.

[Jimmie]

Good job

[AndysR]

Nice job! :)

[Okete]

Good use of photographs and clear instructions - nice one Volvokid!

[volvokid]

Thanks for the complements guys.

[Jaseb77]

good job mate,

will need to do the seats on the C70again , although a quick shave with a BIC, works too if they arent too bad

[Boxzoo]

Looks a lot better, may try on my seats. Never knew the V70s had alcantara steering wheel, my 850R got leather. Doesn't sound like a good idea to fit a car with an alcantara steering wheel.

[volvokid]

Your right Boxzoo the wheel looks good when its new but if it doesn't get the TLC it requires the alcantara will flatten

[MisterC1501]

Nice job on the seats and steering wheel Martyn. I saved myself all that time and trouble........I had my seat covers replaced and put on a new all-leather steering wheel lol.........

[volvokid]

Thanks bud, I thought you just got the drivers side replaced???

[MisterC1501]

Thanks bud, I thought you just got the drivers side replaced???

Yep, that's true. The only reason why my drivers seat covers were replaced were due to the dye transfer from a seat protector. All the other seats are mint, since I have no friends or anyone who wants to sit with me in my car :cry:

[volvokid]

Dam Halfords i remember that thread at least it all got sorted out. At least your car has one seat in use, I have put mine in the garage to keep it clean lol and I still have one more month of tax on it.

[Jimmie]

Yep, that's true. The only reason why my drivers seat covers were replaced were due to the dye transfer from a seat protector. All the other seats are mint, since I have no friends or anyone who wants to sit with me in my car :cry:

No friends at all or dont you let them sit in your car ?. lol

[dicky b t5]

Great write up VK, well done mate. Nice job.

Dicky.

[volvokid]

I wish someone would thank me lol

[Tomcat]

Thanks for bothering to do a fantastic write up, well done that man(pat on the back).......You ok now?.

[CONDYBOY]

Nice one volvokid and a bloody good write up.

[volvokid]

Thanks for bothering to do a fantastic write up, well done that man(pat on the back).......You ok now?.

Not what i had in mind TC but thanks anyway lol i though someone would hit the big thumbs up button lol

[volvokid]

ooo look i've got 1 yessss

[Tomcat]

Where about on the Swissvax site is the alcantara cleaner?, I've looked all over and I can't find it.

[volvokid]

My apologies Craig, get in contact with swissvax its there sister company that make the product I cant remember the site now I never went on it I just asked swissvax if they made a cleaner and they got me that stuff, hope this helps.

[t5 pete]

While ypur on a roll volvokid and I must admit your awesome really really big thumbs up what would you use to beep the alcantare maintained on the steering wheel as mine has just been re trimmed and want to keep it looking great

[volvokid]

While ypur on a roll volvokid and I must admit your awesome really really big thumbs up what would you use to beep the alcantare maintained on the steering wheel as mine has just been re trimmed and want to keep it looking great

Haha cheers Pete :) I havn't had too do anything with it since, I would doubt if the car has done 2 thousand miles since doing this. I would say though invest in a proper alcantara cleaner, and maybe just give it an annual wipe over or as and when you clean your leather, just give it light sprays and pat it instead of rubbing it, same as you would do with a carpet at home. Sorry there isn't much to it really

[RollingThunder]

I tried the BIC razor method but it didn't work for me, so I bought a fuzz-away tool by JML - that didn't work either. In the end I used sandpaper. Yes, sandpaper. I'd read about it on a Porsche forum, then again on a Lancia forum so i decided to give it a go...

Before -

26071

After -

26072

Yep, as new :) I used 800 grit being very very careful not to catch the leather or wear through the stitching. Just needed to vac up the detached bobbles. I was very dubious but it worked a treat :D