Jack F

I have no experience with this material and have questions about the durability.

How will Alcantara wear over the years? Will it thin and then tear kind of like denim? Will it look like *** if the car was to be kept for 100K miles?

Curiosity killed the cat but I'm more canine than feline.

I emailed the manufacturer in the past and was never contacted by them, so I tried again today.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

ltc

Steering wheel and/or seats?

Avoid sweat.
Brush often.

Jack F

It would be for the seats only.

Gert

We sell Alcantara parts for the interior since many years and it proves to be very strong and wear-resistant.

Jack F

Sounds like the Alcan should wear well and look good. Thanks

ltc

I would still consider buying a swede (Alcantara) brush and a Teflon based fabric protector.

Bob Rouleau

and maybe a suede brush while you're at it. Alcantara steering wheel on the race car looks like crap after one season, that's why I went for regular leather on my GT3.

Jack F

From what I have heard Alcantara on the wheel is not a great idea if you want it to look great but it holds well though.

Land Jet

If you want something that will look good as it wears, stick with leather. Alcantara starts to look ratty after a while.

ltc

My Cup car has the OEM alcantara wheel.
Great feel, but it does show 'wear' a bit....but it's a Cup car, it's not the garage queen.

Gert

The Cup steering wheel is suede, not Alcantara.

tmc

Note that Alcantara is not suede, it's a non-woven fabric. Rather interesting stuff, actually:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcantara_(material)

Land Jet

Well it might not fray but it definitely shows wear.

ppbskis

Is this the material that most cars have on the roof interior ? How do you know the material used if it is leather or alcantara ?

Jack F

Leather is smooth and Alcantara is a soft, suede-like cloth (man-made). You cannot confuse the 2 for this reason