Interior care recommendations

F

FrameFlipper

New Member
Wondering if anybody might be able to offer advice on how best to protect and care for the cabin's soft surfaces?

The ultra-suede looks great on the dash & doors, but seems vulnerable to smudging/staining or the wrong protectant formulation.

I applaud Honda for using "plant-derived bio-fabrics and ultra-suede created through recycling technology", but I can't find any instructions in the documentation for how to clean/condition/protect these materials?

The owner's manual does recommend cleaning the perforated leather upholstery with "with a soft cloth dampened with a solution comprised of 90% water and 10% neutral soap". I'd like to also treat with a conditioner/protectant, but am hesitant to use anything too waxy or viscous that might just clog up the holes.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
I've always used Armor All for vinyl, and assorted leather cleaners and conditioners for, well, leather.

I've never had to deal with suede, but I found this video.

 
I like the last part of the video, if all else fails, 'take your suede to a professional cleaner'. Excuse me while I drive my car into the professional cleaner. Can't wait to see the expression on their face! ;)
 
Use a lint roller to remove debris from the suede. I would just use a damp rag on the leather and hard plastics, or if you want get a Ph neutral leather soap.

As a note, ArmorAll and other products you put on the dash will evaporate and cause a film on your window, so you will have to clean your windows more often.
 
Regular use of a brush should help the dirt from settling in. There are products for alcantara (the synthetic suede) that can handle more serious soiling. Stains from body oil may be the hardest to avoid. So the area around the power button, the driver's door, etc. will be areas to pay the most attention to as time goes by. The light colored material will be a challenge.
 
bfd said:
Regular use of a brush should help the dirt from settling in. There are products for alcantara (the synthetic suede) that can handle more serious soiling. Stains from body oil may be the hardest to avoid. So the area around the power button, the driver's door, etc. will be areas to pay the most attention to as time goes by. The light colored material will be a challenge.
Click to expand...
This was another reason I wanted the black interior...if you are sloppy like me, you need all the help you can get.
 
barnesgj said:
Don't you worry about the black interior in the summer?
Click to expand...
Yes, it can get extra hot, especially with no seat ventilation, but I just don't like the beige combination in the lighter color (especially the Alcantra/Suede/whatever they are calling it dash treatment), and from prior experience beige and light gray interiors get dingy looking faster.
 
dstrauss said:
Yes, it can get extra hot, especially with no seat ventilation, but I just don't like the beige combination in the lighter color (especially the Alcantra/Suede/whatever they are calling it dash treatment), and from prior experience beige and light gray interiors get dingy looking faster.
Click to expand...
I'm the opposite and can't bring myself to like the black, even when it's sitting outside working like a top and the red one is sitting in the shop. I really like beige interiors and have not had any issues keeping them clean. I saw my car right off the truck and it had a huge greasy hand print on the passenger seat. The detailing guy was able to clean it off completely.
That said, I may feel differently if the suede gets dirty.
 
barnesgj said:
...That said, I may feel differently if the suede gets dirty.
Click to expand...
The "suede" in the Clarity is synthetic, and to me looks and feels like the Alcantara Microsoft uses for the keyboards on some of its 2-in-1 and laptop computers. There'a a lot of discussion online about durability and maintenance, and it actually should be more durable than suede leather.
 
dstrauss said:
The "suede" in the Clarity is synthetic, and to me looks and feels like the Alcantara Microsoft uses for the keyboards on some of its 2-in-1 and laptop computers. There'a a lot of discussion online about durability and maintenance, and it actually should be more durable than suede leather.
Click to expand...
It's the same material that Tesla had been using in their cars.
 
Viking79 said:
I will worry about that when it gets warmer than 0 F it has been for highs this week ;) The seat heaters are nice...
Click to expand...
Every time I see a reply like this, I remember why I no longer live 50 miles west of Green Bay (that's where we lived through first grade).
 
barnesgj said:
Don't you worry about the black interior in the summer?
Click to expand...
All vehicles should have a PV panel somewhere to power a ventilation fan that turns on when the temp is above 80-90f. Would save power for the AC and could save lives of pets or kids.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top