Alcantara cleaning and that New Car Smell

[ewand]

I bought my Evora nearly 7 years ago from a dealer and even though it was about 15 months old with 6k miles, it had quite a new car smell... I asked the dealer a couple of times what they used to prepare it for sale but got nothing back...

With leather upholstery cars, I'd typically use leather cleaner and conditioner which restores a nice rich smell to the interior, but the Evora is the first alcantara interior I've had; what does everyone else use to keep the upholstery fresh, and is there anything you use to retain/restore that new car aroma...?

Edited April 1 by ewand

[C8RKH]

My Evora is 6 years old. Had it from new, and it still retains that new car smell. 

Alcantara everywhere but never had the need to clean the interior. Maybe that's the secret, just hoover it every now and then as required.

[EGTE]

Found this link: might be useful.

https://cardetailingplanet.com/cleaning-alcantara-steering-wheel/

[exeterjeep]

sounds like a lot of work, not cleaned mine since I got the evora. Now have an Alcantara wheel in the M100.

1. Brush After Every Drive: Spend a minute after each journey to gently brush the steering wheel. This quick step is crucial for removing oils, dead skin cells, and everyday dirt.

[ewand]

thanks guys - A light hoover, a bit of dusting and an occasional wipe with a damp cloth sounds like all I should really worry about then.

[C8RKH]

It seems these days that washing and polishing your car has, for far too many, become the hobby that has replaced actually driving your car.

[jep]

Don't start me on 'detailing' a brand new car....

Justin  

[C8RKH]

At a thousand pounds (or thereof) a go it has become big business.

[Nelly]

My best tip for retaining a new car smell is not to use an air freshener of any kind.  My Kuga is a year old and still smells like new.

Maybe it was the torture of headaches as a child in the back of a car as a result of those horrid air fresheners that looked like a set of traffic lights ( I am sure the older amongst you will know what I am on about).  For some reason my parents loved them.

[Bibs]

[OakMan]

On 01/04/2024 at 11:07, ewand said:

I bought my Evora nearly 7 years ago from a dealer and even though it was about 15 months old with 6k miles, it had quite a new car smell... I asked the dealer a couple of times what they used to prepare it for sale but got nothing back...

With leather upholstery cars, I'd typically use leather cleaner and conditioner which restores a nice rich smell to the interior, but the Evora is the first alcantara interior I've had; what does everyone else use to keep the upholstery fresh, and is there anything you use to retain/restore that new car aroma...?

I have a friend who's a GTechnique accredited detailer, thankfully not one of those who tries to sell you all the products and services, he just recommends the ones that are valid and beneficial.  I asked him about my Evora interior which is also all Alcantara.  To echo Keith's (ExeterJeep) advice, a light brush off with a vacuum available if dusty, then wipe down with a dampened cloth - microfibre not spongy wash cloth, allow to dry then give it a light brush to restore the finish and the nap of the fabric was his advice.  I also asked should it be coated with Scotchguard or the equivalent, absolutely not was his recommendation.  

GTechnique do a terrific fabric protector that puts a water proof coating on standard car fabrics, making them easier to clean if dirty - I thought he would have suggested that but no was the answer. 

Keep enjoying your car 👍

 

PS.  New Car Odour now comes in easy to use bio friendly Eco Green recyclable bottles, at all good car accessory shops, next to the Snake Oil, Parrots Teeth and Unicorn Dust 😉      🤣

[ewand]

On the topic of air fresheners ... I've tried various "new car smell" sprays etc that will hide a musty smell (not in the Evora, I hasten to add), and the best rear-mirror-dangly airfresheners I came across were from a company called Roadscents Luxury Car Fragrance, who never seem to have anything in stock... handy if you have a smelly old car that you're trying to get the "damp old lady" smell from...

 

[C8RKH]

9 minutes ago, ewand said:

handy if you have a smelly old car that you're trying to get the "damp old lady" smell from...

Best to never have a damp old lady in your car then, back seats or not.