Body Oils vs. Cloth Interior

Hytec · 10-24-2004, 06:23 PM

We pick up our 2005 Blue BJ Package tomorrow, but my wife and I were "allowed" to sit in and caress it yesterday...SIGH 8)

This will be our first experience with cloth seats and arm rests. How damaging are body oils, sweat, and the like, to the seats and arm rests? What is recommended, or what do most owners use for keeping the cloth clean and unmatted?

We keep our cars 10+ years, and we wear shorts most of the year, so keeping seats and arm rests clean is an on-going chore. Our previous cars had leather and vinyl interiors, so a cleanup with Armor-All and/or leather treatment was all that was needed. But I imagine that cloth could be a lot more difficult to keep clean......?

Thanks, Hank

Yes, there is a "BJ" Package, at least that's how it's listed on the Gulf States Region MSRP sticker. BJ is similar to the BC Package, but without the HID lamps and VSC system. I'll have to check on the Foglamps, but I don't think they're included either. BJ is also about $1000 less than BC.

IsrAmeriPrius · 10-24-2004, 06:36 PM

Not counting my wife's cars, the Prius is my first car ever with cloth upholstery.

In a warm climate, cloth is infinitely more comfortable than the leather that I was accustomed to.

The upholstery manufacturer, Alcantara®, has very good maintenance instructions for this very resilient (and expensive) material at this site: Alcantara® Maintenance.

**Tideland Prius** · 10-24-2004, 10:14 PM

is our seat material really Alcantara?!? wow I thought it was just a really nice set of cloth with suede inserts...

Hytec · 10-25-2004, 08:43 AM

Quote:

The upholstery manufacturer, Alcantara®, has very good maintenance instructions for this very resilient (and expensive) material at this site: Alcantara® Maintenance.

Thanks for the info and links. I had never heard of Alcantara, it sounds like an excellent product.
Now I guess I'll just have to learn to clean the car more often...at least more than once a year.

ops:

Prius Maximus · 10-25-2004, 07:48 PM

My armrest got really nasty over the summer. I used Simple Green. It worked great.

V8Cobrakid · 10-25-2004, 08:43 PM

I think the only things you may potentialy have problems with are the armrest and center console. but i would guess the material to be easy to replace. I've heard of ink coming out of the seats with just soap and water. I had an ink mark and it came out with me sitting on it. hehe. the seats are truly awesome from what i've seen so far.

DaveinOlyWA · 10-25-2004, 10:20 PM

i had fabric protection put on by my sister (she works for the local ford dealer) and i have had several spills already. taco sauce cleaned up perfectly. ketchup didnt stand a chance.

and yes i had a small accident with a pink gel pen, it also cleaned up easily.

i dont know how much was due to the fabric protection, but i no longer worry about stains.

i am more concerned with the coating that is on the hard plastic interior areas. things like the buttons for the glove boxes have started to show wear already. it seems almost like paint peeling.

whatever it is, it has depth and color. seems like latex paint...

V8Cobrakid · 10-25-2004, 10:42 PM

the plastics "scuff" easy.. if you get them wet the color comes back. and it looks richer. I went to www.moreshine.com and purchased the case of products. While a few are not needed, the rest work wonders. More shine, Less time put a nice coating on the inside. it does not make it look a gross shiny like armorall or other products would. it simpley brings out the burgandy color in my dash and i no longer get those marks from people fingers. if you need to keep the MFD clean.. i would recommend having the screen off or the car off. I use a microfiber type of cloth from lensecrafters. do not use produts on the screen. it can stain it and cause other problems.

V8Cobrakid · 10-25-2004, 10:44 PM

I've heard of others who protected.. but i have not notices a difference between those who have protected theirs and those who have not. I did not want to put anything on my seats. I already know about the company that made them and didn't want to mess with their high class product. but my ink came out no problems. I have not had anything else stain. dirt and everything simply wipes right up.

IsrAmeriPrius · 10-25-2004, 11:13 PM

Some of the cars that feature Alcantara® fabrics:

ASTON MARTIN
- AM Vanquish V12
- DB7
- Le Mans

AUDI
- A3
- A4
- A8
- Quattro GmbH
- S3
- S8
- TT

BMW
- 3 Series
- 5 Series
- 5 Series Chrome
- 5 Series Sport
- 7 Series
- Individual
- M3
- M5
- X5

CITROËN
- C5
- C8
- Xantia
- XM

FORD
- Focus RS
- Puma Racing

HONDA
- Civic
- Civic Type R
- CR-W

JAGUAR
- X-Type Indianapolis

KOENIGSEGG
- Koenigsegg CC 2001

LAMBORGHINI
- Diablo
- Murcielago

LANCIA
- Delta HPE
- K
- K S.W.
- Lybra Intensa
- Lybra LX
- Phedra
- Thesis
- Zeta

LAND ROVER
- Discovery
- Freelander

LOTUS
- Elise

MASERATI
- 3200 GT
- Quattroporte-Evoluzione

MAYBACH
- Maybach

MERCEDES BENZ
- A-Class A210 Evolution
- A-Class Designo
- S-Class
- SL-Class AMG

MG
- TF
- ZR
- ZT

NISSAN
- Almera Tino

OPEL
- Astra Coupé

PEUGEOT
- 206 GTI
- 206 RC
- 206 RG
- 206 SW
- 807

PORSCHE
- 911
- Boxster S

RENAULT
- Clio Sport
- Espace Initiale
- Laguna 2.0 turbo
- Scenic 4x4 Salomon
- Vel Satis

SEAT
- Alhambra
- Toledo S5

SMART
- Smart Creamstyle

SPARCO
- Sparco
- Sparco

VOLKSWAGEN
- Passat
- Passat Highline
- VW12

VOLVO
- C 70
- S 80

Alcantara® Gallery

10-24-2004, 06:23 PM	#1
Hytec Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 167 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Body Oils vs. Cloth Interior We pick up our 2005 Blue BJ Package tomorrow, but my wife and I were "allowed" to sit in and caress it yesterday...SIGH 8) This will be our first experience with cloth seats and arm rests. How damaging are body oils, sweat, and the like, to the seats and arm rests? What is recommended, or what do most owners use for keeping the cloth clean and unmatted? We keep our cars 10+ years, and we wear shorts most of the year, so keeping seats and arm rests clean is an on-going chore. Our previous cars had leather and vinyl interiors, so a cleanup with Armor-All and/or leather treatment was all that was needed. But I imagine that cloth could be a lot more difficult to keep clean......? Thanks, Hank Yes, there is a "BJ" Package, at least that's how it's listed on the Gulf States Region MSRP sticker. BJ is similar to the BC Package, but without the HID lamps and VSC system. I'll have to check on the Foglamps, but I don't think they're included either. BJ is also about $1000 less than BC.

10-24-2004, 10:14 PM	#3
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,620 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 229 Thanked 345 Times in 244 Posts Friends: 23	Re: Body Oils vs. Cloth Interior is our seat material really Alcantara?!? wow I thought it was just a really nice set of cloth with suede inserts...

10-25-2004, 07:48 PM	#5
Prius Maximus Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Northeastern IL Posts: 200 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Body Oils vs. Cloth Interior My armrest got really nasty over the summer. I used Simple Green. It worked great.

10-25-2004, 10:20 PM	#7
DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 12,378 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 24 Thanked 121 Times in 103 Posts Friends: 10	i had fabric protection put on by my sister (she works for the local ford dealer) and i have had several spills already. taco sauce cleaned up perfectly. ketchup didnt stand a chance. and yes i had a small accident with a pink gel pen, it also cleaned up easily. i dont know how much was due to the fabric protection, but i no longer worry about stains. i am more concerned with the coating that is on the hard plastic interior areas. things like the buttons for the glove boxes have started to show wear already. it seems almost like paint peeling. whatever it is, it has depth and color. seems like latex paint... __________________ My Blue 2010 : Last tank 541.9 @ 49.48 pump (56.7 MFD) 5.54 CPM, 21 MPH, Lifetime:5442.2 miles 56.5 MPG pump. (62.22 MFD) 4.72 CPM. Summer MPG 57.4 Winter: 49.5 My 2006 SPM: Last tank 376.6 miles @38.21 pump (40.8 MFD) 7.17 cpm winter mpg 49.64 summer mpg 53.41 lifetime: 42,563.5 miles 51.5 mpg pump (52.7 mpg MFD) 5.51 cpm My 2007 Zenn total "fuel cost" $166.58 on "about" 9599.7 miles. 1.74 cents per mile (granted i plug in for free at work!!) My Plate: DUALPWR (Dual Power)

10-25-2004, 10:42 PM	#8
V8Cobrakid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: hell Posts: 2,894 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 9 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts Friends: 5	the plastics "scuff" easy.. if you get them wet the color comes back. and it looks richer. I went to www.moreshine.com and purchased the case of products. While a few are not needed, the rest work wonders. More shine, Less time put a nice coating on the inside. it does not make it look a gross shiny like armorall or other products would. it simpley brings out the burgandy color in my dash and i no longer get those marks from people fingers. if you need to keep the MFD clean.. i would recommend having the screen off or the car off. I use a microfiber type of cloth from lensecrafters. do not use produts on the screen. it can stain it and cause other problems. __________________ Silver 9 as of June 12th '04 (over 123k Miles now) Decals, Mud Flaps, 1200Watt Modified sign wave Inverter, BT Tech Rear Brace, coastaletech 2" receiver hitch, and 215/45/17 tires.

10-24-2004, 06:36 PM	#2
IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,338 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Not counting my wife's cars, the Prius is my first car ever with cloth upholstery. In a warm climate, cloth is infinitely more comfortable than the leather that I was accustomed to. The upholstery manufacturer, Alcantara®, has very good maintenance instructions for this very resilient (and expensive) material at this site: Alcantara® Maintenance.

10-25-2004, 08:43 PM	#6
V8Cobrakid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: hell Posts: 2,894 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 9 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts Friends: 5	I think the only things you may potentialy have problems with are the armrest and center console. but i would guess the material to be easy to replace. I've heard of ink coming out of the seats with just soap and water. I had an ink mark and it came out with me sitting on it. hehe. the seats are truly awesome from what i've seen so far.

10-25-2004, 10:44 PM	#9
V8Cobrakid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: hell Posts: 2,894 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 9 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts Friends: 5	I've heard of others who protected.. but i have not notices a difference between those who have protected theirs and those who have not. I did not want to put anything on my seats. I already know about the company that made them and didn't want to mess with their high class product. but my ink came out no problems. I have not had anything else stain. dirt and everything simply wipes right up.

10-25-2004, 11:13 PM	#10
IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,338 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Some of the cars that feature Alcantara® fabrics: ASTON MARTIN - AM Vanquish V12 - DB7 - Le Mans AUDI - A3 - A4 - A8 - Quattro GmbH - S3 - S8 - TT BMW - 3 Series - 5 Series - 5 Series Chrome - 5 Series Sport - 7 Series - Individual - M3 - M5 - X5 CITROËN - C5 - C8 - Xantia - XM FORD - Focus RS - Puma Racing HONDA - Civic - Civic Type R - CR-W JAGUAR - X-Type Indianapolis KOENIGSEGG - Koenigsegg CC 2001 LAMBORGHINI - Diablo - Murcielago LANCIA - Delta HPE - K - K S.W. - Lybra Intensa - Lybra LX - Phedra - Thesis - Zeta LAND ROVER - Discovery - Freelander LOTUS - Elise MASERATI - 3200 GT - Quattroporte-Evoluzione MAYBACH - Maybach MERCEDES BENZ - A-Class A210 Evolution - A-Class Designo - S-Class - SL-Class AMG MG - TF - ZR - ZT NISSAN - Almera Tino OPEL - Astra Coupé PEUGEOT - 206 GTI - 206 RC - 206 RG - 206 SW - 807 PORSCHE - 911 - Boxster S RENAULT - Clio Sport - Espace Initiale - Laguna 2.0 turbo - Scenic 4x4 Salomon - Vel Satis SEAT - Alhambra - Toledo S5 SMART - Smart Creamstyle SPARCO - Sparco - Sparco VOLKSWAGEN - Passat - Passat Highline - VW12 VOLVO - C 70 - S 80 Alcantara® Gallery __________________ Justice, justice you shall pursue. (Deuteronomy 16:20)

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