Alcantara
Welcome to our blog! We have decided to do a series of Blogs around subjects we are often asked about, or that we find are the most common source of misunderstandings or misconceptions. (and we have been told it helps with SEO, which is definitely brew-worthy!)
This time around we will be looking at Alcantara.
Ready? Got a brew? Ok let’s go!
What, or who, is Alcantara?
This is often a cause of confusion when describing materials. Alcantara is actually the name of the company (Alcantara S.P.A) and also the name of the ‘main’ material. Confused? I get it, let me try and explain…
The material itself was invented in 1970 by Japanese Scientist Miyoshi Okamoto, he invents the material and files a patent for it, whether he named it Alcantara, or whether the company was created and the name went hand in hand, I have no idea, however in 1972, 2 corporate enterprises joined together (Eni/ANIC Group and Toray industries) to commercially produce the material.
The Italian company ANTOR S.p.A was born and later went on to become Alcantara S.P.A.
Initially as a fashion house of sorts, the first use of the material was within the clothing sector.
Then, in 1978, Alcantara was first used in an automotive application in collaboration with FIAT, soon after this, a number of collaborations with Audi USA followed and the rest, as they say, is history!
Alcantara have a long and proven history and dedication to Carbon neutrality and sustainability, a relatively rare quality in the fashion and material industry. Not only is this material vegan and sustainable, but it also has unique properties of stain resistance, high durability, and a luxury feel.
Alcantara is often (wrongly) the name given to all suede like material, it isn’t, it is a specific brand. It’s like saying all trainers are Nikes (other brands are available) imagine pointing to your speedy Crocs and saying, “My Nikes need a clean” just no….
Alcantara is a high quality material, and the cost reflects this. We have seen some absolutely hideous examples of fake Alcantara that are quite obviously not the real deal.
Now we know who, what about why?
Alcantara is extremely popular in high-end car manufacturer interiors, it is good looking, durable and soft textured.
What about steering wheels?
Alcantara vs leather is a good example to study, Alcantara stays cool in summer and warm in winter, so your little handies will feel nice.
When the heat is really on, and you are racing (in Mexico) against that pesky 1.2 Corsa and you mentally transmorph into Dominic Toretto, Alcantara has your back when it comes to grip.
Chosen by motorsport types, it does not suffer sweaty hand slip like leather and plastic does.
Not only this, when not under the intense pressure of racing around Oulton Park, it feels and looks amazing!
Personally, Alcantara is a firm favourite of mine, I love working with it, looking at it and touching it. It is of course, not to everybody’s taste, and that’s ok!
How?
How? How what? Well, how do you keep Alcantara from matting, getting soiled and ‘pilling’ (where the material lightly bobbles up and becomes unsightly)
Clean it! You clean the outside of your car often do you not? How often do you clean the interior? And I don’t mean hoover it out at the petrol station coin operated vacuum station, I mean CLEAN it? Not very often, if at all, right?
Start now! Alcantara will last FAR longer if you look after it. The matting and lose of visual appeal is due to contact with your hands.
Your hands contain natural oils, Alcantara will resist water, but it will absorb oils. This will build up over time (this is applicable to seats too) and the material will matte and become unsightly and discoloured.
Regular cleaning will help you to get more life out of this lovely material, meaning you get to enjoy it a lot longer, give a little and get a lot back!
I have done a blog covering a full cleaning guide, you should hopefully find this useful. We also provide everything you need to clean and regularly maintain your Alcantara (and leather) right here on our web store!
Alcantara Pilling? It’s pretty much too late, you should have looked after it better you naughty person, but a careful application using an electric stubble razor will improve the appearance and buy you a little more time.
Don’t forget, we can retrim your existing Steering wheel into a lovely, fresh, new covering of Alcantara and getting you looking good once again!
