Is this supposed to be alcantara?

[sgregory124]

Morning all. Had my C63 for 12 months now so I should probably know the answer to this but - does anyone know if the inserts in my steering wheel are actually alcantara or some other leather/fake leather hybrid material? It feels like sticky leather and a quick exploratory wipe this morning confirmed that whatever material it is, its filthy....

Just looking for clues so that I can use the right cleaning/restoration method on it.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Simon

 

[MrGreedy]

It looks just like other unloved alcantara wheels I've seen on this forum

 

[sgregory124]

It looks just like other unloved alcantara wheels I've seen on this forum

Ok, thanks for that - now I know I can have a go at bringing it back, although i'm not the worlds biggest fan of the stuff.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Ok, thanks for that - now I know I can have a go at bringing it back, although i'm not the worlds biggest fan of the stuff.

I like Alcantara on seats, but I have to agree it's not the most practical choice for steering wheels

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Sweat/moisture ruins Alcantara, its users on Racecars where the drivers wear gloves, doesnt really work on Road cars.

 

[Freak]

This is a pretty good video on how to maintain and clean your steering wheel

Edit - won't let me link the youtube video, have a look at the "remove before race" YT channel

 

[ShaunB]

Warm water with a tiny bit of fairy liquid and a microfiber cloth worked well for me.
Then another go over it with just warm water and microfiber.
Finally another clean microfiber to dry.
Baby wipes also give reasonable results, but first option was better for me.

 

[daveenty]

Warm water with a tiny bit of fairy liquid and a microfiber cloth worked well for me.
Then another go over it with just warm water and microfiber.
Finally another clean microfiber to dry.

Just amended that for you Shaun hope you don't mind? One person's "tiny bit" is another person's "huge amount".
I'd personally never use a washing up liquid on the car, especially the interior.

 

[ShaunB]

Just amended that for you Shaun hope you don't mind? One person's "tiny bit" is another person's "huge amount".
I'd personally never use a washing up liquid on the car, especially the interior.

Of course not, to be fair I only used fairy liquid the very first time on a two year old E63 wheel.
Once I seen just how much grime was still coming off with the the water alone, that's all I ever used thereafter.

 

[sgregory124]

Cheers for the advice all - I found a quick guide online using a microfibre cloth and mild soapy water - seemed to work a treat to be fair

Warm water with a tiny bit of fairy liquid and a microfiber cloth worked well for me.
Then another go over it with just warm water and microfiber.
Finally another clean microfiber to dry.
Baby wipes also give reasonable results, but first option was better for me.

This is exactly the method I used and the wheel looks almost as new now. I was dubious about the fairy liquid myself but frankly, it if works, it works.