(Posting here becuse r231 amg forum is a bit of a ghost town and the steering wheels are common parts)

The fake suede... alcantara, dinamica, whatever they're calling it...

There's a pressure ridge along the front surface that is already tying to pack down with the normal skin oils from being used... at which point it will turn into a shiny slippery oily edge along the high ridge line.

How should it be cleaned? Suede cleaner? Magic erasers? a soft toothbrush and carpet cleaner?

What's the magic combo to keep the shiny dirt and oil out and the matte nappy fiber in?

 

I believe a damp cloth is the best option.

 

I've been wiping down with a dampened warm mf towel every time I detail the car. I only saw "fabric cleaner" on detailerimage for example, but haven't tried any products

http://www.detailedimage.com/Interior-Care-C25/

 

A very dilute water and hand soap (non fragrance) solution as you need something to emulsify the oils...and I use a microfiber cloth

 

I second the diluted water, soapy mix with micro fiber...same care as used with alcantara in my Audi..

 

What are our options when the alcantara on the steering wheel wears out? Do we have to replace the entire wheel? Any way to rejuvenate it? Mine is already starting to wear down looks a bit worn and faded.

 

I ended up going with Kiwi suede cleaner from the shoe department. It comes with the plastic bristle brush for restoring the nap.

I sprayed it on one side, scrubbed it up with the plastic brush. But I was concerned that it went on wet and would smell too strong so I sprayed it on a rag and rubbed the other side.

The next morning the smell was gone and the side I scrubbed was noticably cleaner, the nap was fuller and the side I did with the rag, while cleaner, hadn't recovered the full nap. So I used the kiwi on the other side to, and now it is like new.

I personally make it a point to not eat in the car and to not have greasy hands when driving. I think of the white interior and suede wheel as reminders that I will be gentlemanly when in or around this car. lol

e63, are you sure its looking worn, or is the nap just packing down and needs a good cleaning?

 

nyc, thanks for the info! To be honest, I'm actually not sure. This is the first vehicle I've owned that has alcantara on the steering wheel. A little discoloration (almost a super light grey/whitish color) on the 3 and 9. With your description, I'd have to guess that it's just the nap packing down. Will definitely give it a good cleaning using either yours or one of the above methods to see if it'll rejuvenate. Will update after next weekend with results.

to not eating/drinking in the car. Makes me cringe even thinking about food dropping in between the beautiful seats or small crevices.......

 

Update: Neighbor was detailing interior of his gt3 and working on alcantara pieces. Used some of his product (sonax upholstery & alcantara cleaner) and followed the directions. 15 minutes later the alcantara part of my steering wheel is looking like new again. Thanks for all your help

 

am I the only want who wants to cover the alcantara up w/ something else? it always feel so gross and furry even after a wipe down. EW.

 

das good

 

The translation is awesome. Dash stains can be ERADICATED!

 

the best solution for me is wear gloves. i use cloth gloves and wash them every few weeks. that way any oil that accumulates in the gloves wont end up on the steering wheel.

i find making sure your hands are clean just didnt work for me.. since im always touching my face.. my hands just never stay clean.

this applies for the amg leather too. when i got my 2012 cls this summer , it only had 15000 miles on it. but still the shininess on the steering wheel drove me nuts, so i bought a brand new one off ebay. and had it installed. then wore gloves ever since.

the steering wheel will stay 100% new forever.

i also have a 991 gt3 with the entire steering wheel in alcantara. wore gloves since day one and car now has around 7000 miles and steering wheel still looks like the day i picked up the car.

besides, gloves grip better than skin against an alcantara wheel anyway.

but for cleaning alcantara, definitely dont use mr. clean magic eraser. it dries it out and turns to an ugly lighter shade of grey.

i use magic eraser VERY LIGHTLY on the leather portion...on or 2 swipes....

 

thought about this for the entire weekend and just could NOT pull the trigger... i mean... how do you deal w/ the douchery factor?

 

+1
Gloves? seriously?
Drive the car, relax, enjoy it, maintain it, accept the normal wear and tear.

 

douchery factor... in a cls63???

its not like you're out there in a convertible with the top down and a yellow sweater around your neck...

And like i said gloves provide better grip against alcantara than bare skin.

But if nothing else it's worth it to me just to keep a $4000 steering wheel looking new.

I also use a seat cover blanket. Seat looks the same as one in the showroom.

I think All this stuff makes a difference for resale. Especially since I rarely keep a car more than 1 to 2 years...

 

Well this IS part of maintenance..

And no i cannot accept normal wear and tear....

Its a thing with me.

 

can u post a pic of the gloves u have?

 

here

http://www.zappos.com/images/z/2/2/4...44834-p-4x.jpg

 

cell phone friendly i assume

i bought some nice driving glove from autodromo but cant use the phone...which is ok

safety first

 

another downvote for the gloves...

 

I think I'll just from time to time use that Kiwi suede cleaning method as suggested above by nycphotography when the alcantara surface becomes packed down. I eat frequently when driving on the highway, so there are plenty of grease and oil on my hand from various sandwiches, burritoes, and chips. Hey, but I try avoid holding the alcantara section of the wheel when eating. By the way, oil is supposedly good as a moisturizer for leather anyway.

 

except alcantara is.. mostly polyesther...

 

lofl

that reminds me of that top gear episode where clarkson borrowed James Mays Ferrari and was eating snacks and wiping off his hands on the car window.. lol

sweet jesus , you woudlnt even be allowed in my car man.