CSET 592 Report post Posted May 22, 2016 The driver's seat was getting a bit shiny on the wear-areas (side bolster & centre seat). I spent a few hours detailing it the other day Before (the alcantara is matted in places & shiny in others, looking worn): 20160516_115454_HDR by Christian Taylor, on Flickr 20160516_115442_HDR by Christian Taylor, on Flickr 20160516_115448_HDR by Christian Taylor, on Flickr After (different camera, but no more shinyness or matting): IMG_5032 by Christian Taylor, on Flickr IMG_5049 by Christian Taylor, on Flickr IMG_5054 by Christian Taylor, on FlickrIMG_5040 by Christian Taylor, on Flickr And matching alcantara shoes, courtesy of my wife. These'll be staying in this car once I put the seats in..! AlcantaraOverload by Christian Taylor, on Flickr 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted May 22, 2016 Holy wow burger. Massive improvement. Wish I had alcantara so I could just get you to clean it 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M3AN 4016 Report post Posted May 22, 2016 The driver's seat was getting a bit shiny on the wear-areas (side bolster & centre seat). I spent a few hours detailing it the other day Before (the alcantara is matted in places & shiny in others, looking worn): After (different camera, but no more shinyness or matting): Looks good, can you describe your process? I'm about to tackle a similar situation. Cheers. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 592 Report post Posted May 22, 2016 Looks good, can you describe your process? I'm about to tackle a similar situation. Cheers. Sure mate, it's not hard but I found it takes a lot of time and patience to get right - it took me just under 5hrs to do this seat, and it was mainly focused on the patches shown. The danger with alcantara is scrubbing too hard and removing the pile (making it worse) - so you need to be extra gentle agitating the seat. I found it most effective to work in small sections, about 6in x 6in square. I used a soft-bristled boar's hair brush, two clean 300gsm microfibres & a very small amount of all purpose interior cleaner (I stock all of these in my shop if you're after any). Spray APC onto brush bristles (a couple of sprays, don't want the alcantara to get too damp), work evenly into the alcantara for a minute with the brush, gently wipe off residue, repeat. It took me 15-20 goes on each section to get the result pictured. I'm not sure this is the best way (as It's painstakingly slow) but it was the most effective method for me as I couldn't afford to risk damaging the seat! 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 592 Report post Posted May 22, 2016 (edited) This is the brush I used. Not a sales pitch, any soft-bristled brush should work just as well. I've actually bought a 'specialist' alcantara brush from Ebay today to try - watch this space..! https://unitedcarcare.co.nz/shop/brand/valet-pro/boars-hair-dash-brush/ Interior cleaner - once again any mild interior cleaner should do the trick - just don't use much & make sure it's not too strong or you risk damaging the alcantara. If in doubt, dilute. https://unitedcarcare.co.nz/shop/brand/valet-pro/classic-interior-cleaner-500ml/ Microfibres. I do 2-packs of these for $10 in-store. https://unitedcarcare.co.nz/shop/brand/united-car-care/high-quality-300gsm-seamless/ EDIT: try not to use those thick white terry cloths. I got impatient and tried one - it seems they're a bit harsh (started taking the dye out of the seat/turning black!!). Gotta be so bloody gentle. Edited May 22, 2016 by cset 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M3AN 4016 Report post Posted May 23, 2016 (edited) Sure mate, it's not hard but I found it takes a lot of time and patience to get right - it took me just under 5hrs to do this seat, and it was mainly focused on the patches shown. The danger with alcantara is scrubbing too hard and removing the pile (making it worse) - so you need to be extra gentle agitating the seat. I found it most effective to work in small sections, about 6in x 6in square. I used a soft-bristled boar's hair brush, two clean 300gsm microfibres & a very small amount of all purpose interior cleaner (I stock all of these in my shop if you're after any). Spray APC onto brush bristles (a couple of sprays, don't want the alcantara to get too damp), work evenly into the alcantara for a minute with the brush, gently wipe off residue, repeat. It took me 15-20 goes on each section to get the result pictured. I'm not sure this is the best way (as It's painstakingly slow) but it was the most effective method for me as I couldn't afford to risk damaging the seat! Thanks for this. I might pop in and grab a brush as I'm not sure the toothbrushes I got are quite the right tool! I did get some VW Alcantara cleaner so hopefully that'll do the trick. The problem I have with popping in is that I'm about 100% confident I'll end up talking about a detail and therefore spending more $ than I intended! Edited May 23, 2016 by M3AN 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 592 Report post Posted May 24, 2016 The problem I have with popping in is that I'm about 100% confident I'll end up talking about a detail and therefore spending more $ than I intended! Haha that's a problem that's shared by many mate All good will be awesome to see you! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 592 Report post Posted June 1, 2016 Recaro seats are in! Huge thanks to atlantiskiwi for his help. The seat rails took a fair amount of 'massaging' with a dremel to fit. NZKW straight bolt on ... Need to bolt up properly but we're 90% of the way there. Seats1 by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Seats2 by Christian Taylor, on Flickr 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted June 1, 2016 I approve. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 592 Report post Posted June 1, 2016 It's quite strange sitting on the floor haha - they're a lot lower than standard seats. That's the point I guess. Heaps more supportive than the oems too - mine didn't have the electronic side bolsters, so that might make a difference. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted June 1, 2016 looks right at home. now remove the rear seats for more street cred Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M3AN 4016 Report post Posted June 1, 2016 (edited) It's quite strange sitting on the floor haha - they're a lot lower than standard seats. That's the point I guess. Heaps more supportive than the oems too - mine didn't have the electronic side bolsters, so that might make a difference. They look sweet and you're knocking this off much faster than I am! Also using NZKW bases and sliders and am probably going to lift everything up 20-30mm. Edited June 1, 2016 by M3AN 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 592 Report post Posted June 1, 2016 looks right at home. now remove the rear seats for more street cred Not fussed about street cred - this car barely sees the street ..! Besides, I've just installed all that lovely carbon fiber in the car - it'd be a waste to start removing trim. That said, the weight savings from replacing the seats is comprehensive. The Recaro's are so much lighter - rails and mounts included! 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 592 Report post Posted June 8, 2016 Went for a drive, new seats are awesome. Nice and snug without being full-on race seats. Would recommend. IMG_60961 by Christian Taylor, on Flickr 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WYZEUP 283 Report post Posted June 9, 2016 Love the look of those wheels. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted June 9, 2016 love everything about this car.. except for the fact that its not sitting in my garage.. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 592 Report post Posted June 9, 2016 Working on getting a new car cover for MTOY at the moment, given I have a big bit of scaffolding over the back the current cover just won't do. I've partnered up with Covercraft to supply premium indoor covers to NZ, check out www.nzcarcovers.com (disclaimer it points to my website haha). Will post pics when it arrives. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MISS BM 712 Report post Posted June 21, 2016 Bit late to the party, but those seats look epic!! Love them man, nice as touch.Damn short syndrome, I wouldn't even be able to see over my dash if I didn't have my electric lifters... hahah. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunter 408 Report post Posted June 21, 2016 Bit late to the party, but those seats look epic!! Love them man, nice as touch. Damn short syndrome, I wouldn't even be able to see over my dash if I didn't have my electric lifters... hahah. you could get a recaro booster http://int.recaro-cs.com/child-seat/recaro-milano 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 592 Report post Posted June 22, 2016 Bit late to the party, but those seats look epic!! Love them man, nice as touch. Damn short syndrome, I wouldn't even be able to see over my dash if I didn't have my electric lifters... hahah. They are pretty low - which suits me ok being lanky but probably wouldn't suit many others! Pulled the seats out again today and moved rails back an inch on the drivers side - seating position is now absolutely spot on! Thanks again to Atlantiskiwi you rock. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 592 Report post Posted June 22, 2016 Next up for this car is an oem armrest delete center console in schwartz - gets in the way now the seats are quite a lot lower. Also some replacement plastic sill trims, I put a scratch in one getting the old seats out. Big mods here haha Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 592 Report post Posted June 23, 2016 Here's a pic of the console. Not my car (clearly, its LHD) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 592 Report post Posted June 28, 2016 Here's my armrest console as a comparison - you can see how it gets in the way haha. Expect to have this in the next couple of weeks or so, excited! Recaro2 by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Recaro1 by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M3AN 4016 Report post Posted June 28, 2016 Armrests suck also in the e36. Glad my car came without, as the Germans intended. And with two hands on the wheel WTF is the armrest actually for? Traffic lights? Use your lap. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 592 Report post Posted July 2, 2016 What a stunner of a day for a drive! Drive6 by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Drive5 by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Drive4 by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Drive3 by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Drive2 by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Drive1 by Christian Taylor, on Flickr 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
