How to maintain the Alcantara steering wheel?
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Registered User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: HK
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I have re-wrapped my leathered steering wheel with the black Alcantara.
Without taking the original leather off, the steering wheel is like padded and thicker now. It feels good!
Without taking the original leather off, the steering wheel is like padded and thicker now. It feels good!
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Australia
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I had an alcantara wheel on my (since sold) 06 Gallardo. The fabric quickly became matted and unpleasant to hold. I recommend using gloves when you can as sweaty hands will soon cause the fabric to flatten out and lose its nice feel. Also (and this is probably the best tip you'll get) use a wheel cover when you drop the car in for service. Mechanics will drive your car with greasy hands and this soon ruins the alcantara. No amount of cleaning my G's steering wheel ever restored its fluffiness.
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Registered User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: HK
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I had an alcantara wheel on my (since sold) 06 Gallardo. The fabric quickly became matted and unpleasant to hold. I recommend using gloves when you can as sweaty hands will soon cause the fabric to flatten out and lose its nice feel. Also (and this is probably the best tip you'll get) use a wheel cover when you drop the car in for service. Mechanics will drive your car with greasy hands and this soon ruins the alcantara. No amount of cleaning my G's steering wheel ever restored its fluffiness.
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: CA Bay Area, US
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I bought the RS Alcantara wheel 6 months ago and really like it. I did 'coat' it with three or four coats of 3m Scotchguard before installing it. It may have matted the material a bit, but I was really concerned about staining. So far, it seems to be holding up very well. I do agree with covering it when having the car serviced. But if it ever wears out, I'll have it resurfaced with the same material. Besides, I have the matching boot, parking lever and center console.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Columbus Ohio
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The nature of the alcantara steering wheel is to flake off as it is used. It goes through a progression of getting matted then gets smooth again and feels great. IT is possible that the manufacturer will replace it if you complain about it. BMW had replaced many of them then they started replacing it with leather. Good luck!
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 146
From: Mass
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I had Alcantera in my S4. The key is to stay on top of keeping it clean.
1) For stains I used one of the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers - works great.
2) For when it gets nappy I used a Sweater Shaver (littel hand held job ~ $10) to trim it down. keeps it from getting worse.
Do this ofter and it will last a long time.
Matt
1) For stains I used one of the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers - works great.
2) For when it gets nappy I used a Sweater Shaver (littel hand held job ~ $10) to trim it down. keeps it from getting worse.
Do this ofter and it will last a long time.
Matt
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I am lucky to have a leather steering wheel as spare when anything bad happens to my Alcantara one (fingers crossed).
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Registered User
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I really wouldn't hesitate to get one again. I've not had any issues. OTOH, I'm pretty careful about keeping things clean. If you're a drive-through-super-size-fries kinda guy, you should probably pass. 
Maybe you should ask on the GT3/GT2 sub-forums since a lot of those cars have 'em.
Maybe you should ask on the GT3/GT2 sub-forums since a lot of those cars have 'em.