Alcantara Treatment

• Products: Alcantara & Suede Nano Coating, B007, Pol Star Po, leather sanding pad.
• Manufacturers: HENDLEX, KOCH CHEMIE, ALCHIMY7.
• Packaging: 500ml (Alcantara & Suede Nano Coating), 1L concentrate to dilute (Pol Star), 470ml/1L (B007).

Alcantara is a very delicate material to care for. It is not leather at all, nor is it a natural material. It is actually a silky synthetic microfiber material that is nonetheless very difficult to maintain properly and tends not to age well. Over time, Alcantara pills, wears down through abrasion and tends to fade with UV exposure.

Regular care is therefore very important: prevention is better than cure.

The products and accessories presented here will help you care for your Alcantara and keep it looking its best for as long as possible.

Alcantara:

The first product is specialized, intended only for delicate materials, particularly Alcantara and delicate textile fibers. It is a very gentle, pH-neutral product that is safe for this material. The Alcantara product from Fictech shown in the photo can now be replaced with KOCH CHEMIE Pol Star (1:10 dilution) or B007 from ALCHIMY7 (1:15 dilution, for example).

These products clean and remove various marks from your Alcantara without making the material feel rough. Ideally, use an IK TR Mini 360° measuring spray bottle for your dilutions; it is ideal for the job and has a weighted pickup that prevents it from losing prime.



For light soiling or a film of dust, simply spray the cleaner onto the areas to be treated, creating a fine mist on the surface. Then let the product sit for approximately 3-5min before wiping directly with a microfiber towel.





If the product gets onto adjacent fabric or leather, this will not cause any harm; it is compatible with those materials too. Simply wipe those areas immediately.

For a more pronounced stain (a spilled liquid, for example), treat the affected area by spraying on a little more product, letting it work, then brushing very lightly with a soft-bristled brush (e.g., the COLOURLOCK leather cleaning brush or the FALKO TOOLS Palm Leather Brush).







Take care not to press down on the brush; light surface agitation is all that is needed to help the cleaner work. Then wipe immediately with a clean, dry microfiber towel.
The marks come away without difficulty.

If you notice slight pilling (normal after agitating and brushing the surface), don’t worry: it can be dealt with very easily using the accessory presented below.



COLOURLOCK leather sanding pad:



The leather sanding pad is well known to people who restore leather, even for small repairs: it is a very useful accessory for removing minor fraying from leather, among other things.
This sanding pad is also essential for removing pilling from Alcantara, however slight.

Its grit may seem quite abrasive at first, but it is just what is needed to tackle wear on Alcantara.

On the area treated earlier, where brushing caused slight pilling, simply rub the pad gently over the surface and let it do its work, checking the result regularly.



The advantage of using a leather sanding pad rather than shaving with a conventional razor, as is often seen, is that you can better control how much material you remove. Shaving removes all the material in one go.

After use, you will see that the pad has picked up pieces of Alcantara. This is normal; brush the pad with a leather brush afterward to clean it.



The result is excellent, with a finish that matches the original. Your Alcantara looks its best again.



Here are a few examples on other areas with pronounced wear, some even badly worn (the driver’s seatback).
The results are often very convincing.










Leather & fabric waterproofer:



This product from HENDLEX (Alcantara & Suede Pro Nano Coating) is excellent for its versatility and performance. Available in a 500ml bottle, it is ideal for waterproofing synthetic textile surfaces such as Alcantara, suede and various fabrics.

Use it only once the surface has been thoroughly cleaned with the Alcantara cleaners presented above and is completely dry to the touch.

You must then keep the treated surfaces away from moisture for a minimum of 12h.

Do not dry the product. Let it soak into the fibers until fully absorbed. Ideally, repeat the application a second time 2h later to build up a sufficiently substantial layer that penetrates deep into the fibers and provides proper water protection.

Once treated, your surfaces will have a hydrophobic layer that helps prevent accidentally spilled liquids from penetrating deeply and staining the Alcantara.

Note that the waterproofer has a fairly strong odor. Be sure to ventilate the vehicle interior well after treatment.

Conclusion:

This trio of products and accessories is a must-have for caring for your Alcantara, even if it is relatively new. Of course, you should not use the leather sanding pad if your Alcantara is new and has no defects, but regular cleaning with an Alcantara cleaner such as Pol Star (Po) or B-007, followed by water-repellent protection, is essential.

The sanding pad is a genuinely useful tool, almost "magical". Do not be afraid to use it, provided you work gradually and avoid applying too much pressure. It is much "safer" than a razor blade.

Never use overly alkaline detergents such as APCs, which could strip the material of its soft feel because of their very high pH.

Do not let your Alcantara deteriorate: maintain it, or restore it if the damage is already done, and your interior will regain its sporty character.

Pros

+ Overall effectiveness of the products!
+ Moderate prices.
+ Unbeatable performance for the price.

Cons

- Odor (Alcantara & Suede water-repellent treatment)