Cleaning dirty suede seats

[Adz123]

New to this forum. I purchased a 2013 c250 amg sport plus and it’s got the half leather half suede interior. Where the car was left for about 6 months without being used it looks like the seats started to go mouldy and the suede part of the seats are stained. I’m not sure what the best way to clean it is so was opting someone on here could give me some advice as I’d rather do it myself than get a mobile valeter out to sort it out. Here’s some pictures of the seats

 

[Adz123]

Hang on.. photos are too large to upload. Let me shrink them real quick ...

 

[Adz123]

 

[whitenemesis]

Have a read here, might be the same problem, seen quite often.
Dinamica/Artico seats white stain problem

Seems it's a problem on Honda 'suede' seats also
Weird white stain door panels and seats ? - Page 3

Might be something to do with the flame retardant manufacturers were required to use.

 

[Adz123]

Thanks for the link. Just had a good read.. seems like a common issue and only way to solve it is to replace the covers! Shame.. most people claimed under warranty but my car is 6 years old unfortunately can’t go down that route

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Autoglym interior shampoo.

 

[Adz123]

I’ve tried that already. Looks clean when it is wet but as it dries the stains become visible again

 

[W145user]

Possibly try recolouring as per attached:

https://www.hunker.com/12441201/changing-color-of-suede

 

[kid-jensen]

If you're looking into re-colouring, or even a deep clean, it's worth knowing if the seats are REALLY leather/suede.

They look like Artico/Alcantara to me... you can check by decoding the VIN. (Probably available online by now).

 

[whitenemesis]

I'd be pretty certain they are Dinamica /alcantara not genuine suede
Alcantara, Dinamica, & Ultrasuede Care

 

[Adz123]

Yeah they are not suede as I initially thought but the Dinamica/Artico seats a lot of people are having issues with

 

[Smart320]

At least when you are sitting on the seat you cannot see the marks Just make sure you always have 3 passengers with you

 

[rayaans]

Best way to tackle something like this to begin with is use an interior shampoo or all purpose cleaner, carpet shampoo also works well and agitate with a soft brush - the whole section has to be wet but not soaking.

Leave to dwell for a few minutes and you need to suck the excess out with a wet vac.

If the problem is still there more likely to be something other than dirt. i.e. fungus. Something like BioBrisk would be an option at that point.

 

[Fununcle]

My understanding is it is the glue under the Alcantara showing through and really nothing to be done about it. Mine is the same with the same seats.

 

[Abb]

My understanding is it is the glue under the Alcantara showing through and really nothing to be done about it. Mine is the same with the same seats.

This! We have this issue with the same materials on our seats albeit on a ML. Apart from reupholstering the seats, I am afraid you are stuck with the stains. It is a well documented issue, re the glue used causing it.

When affected cars were within their manufacturers warranty period, and the owners experienced this, if they pushed enough with the dealership it was rectified by replacing the seat coverings.

 

[jc62b]

Hi, most definitely the glue under the alcantara cloth. It’s a known issue. My 2014 C coupe had the same issue. Dealers had the valeting done twice to try & cure the problem to no avail. Mercedes Grangemouth changed the seat covers. They took photos first & sent them to Mercedes & they agreed to replace the covers. Had to wait 3 months for replacements as there was a shortage due to the issue. They had the car for 2 days to do the job. Never had an issue since. Cheers.

 

[Deano1972]

I had exactly the same problem with my seats we had a guy come and steam clean them and it looks as good as new and no stains have come back