ssis300

iTrader: (2)

By the time I grabbed a towel, most of it had soaked into the alcantara. I tried to use multiple towels to soak it up and it was still damp, so I used warm soapy water to dab the area and dilute the Coke. Any help/insight would be much appreciated!!

I saw this, but this seems to be for dry stains:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/aut...in-12-isf.html

ISF_GG

iTrader: (2)

Get some Sonax on that spill asap! The sooner the better. It will definitely clean up your spill, although it may take several (2-10+) applications to completely remove all the residual soda that has soaked into your alcantara.

ssis300

iTrader: (2)

Just pulled the trigger on Amazon prime. It will get here tomorrow.

suprasupra

this is the one I always use

suprasupra

Not to alarm you but there were more than a few reviews like this regarding Sonax that is why I went with another cleaner other than it
Raceglaze is another highly regarded cleaner for Alcantara . Good luck with the stains.





Since day one I've always cleaned the precious Alcantara with nothing but H2O and a damp cloth. Works like a charm, and it never gave me any problems whatsoever.

One unfaithful day I noticed a product especially designed to clean Alcantara; Sonax 'eXtreme' Alcantara Cleaner. I was assured this product was perfectly safe, hence the name. It would be rather silly to name a product 'Alcantara Cleaner' if you can't clean Alcantara with it, right?

So, I followed the instructions to the letter, and sprayed the foam on a couple of parts of the upholstery. You're supposed to treat whole sections at once, and leave it alone for ten minutes, then start cleaning with a brush (!), sponge or cloth.

Ten minutes after applying the product, I started cleaning the Alcantara. I opted for the same soft cloth I've used so many times before. Worryingly, I soon began to notice a drastic change in the appearance of the upholstery. The Alcantara had suddenly lost its usual gorgeous tight woven look and feel, and the texture suddenly looked more like the shabby fur of a discarded teddy bear. I felt sick to my stomach. What the heck…? I quickly wiped down the A-pillar to see what happened there. But it was too late already, that too looked like a hideous piece of trash.

When I sort of regained myself, I contacted Tim, my retailer (Carclean.nl), who was equally shocked and sick about what'd happened. He called Sonax, who wanted me to come over to the national headquarters, so they could see the damage for themselves. I rapidly agreed to drive all the way up there, hoping for a solution. Fortunately, Tim was so kind to join us, which would turn out to be a real blessing.

The Sonax people (about half a dozen plus the director himself) noted the obvious, and told me they wanted to test their product on my Alcantara themselves, to see what'd happen. The results of the tests were identical; another ruined piece of upholstery. Now my passenger seat was in shambles as well…


A picture speaks a thousand words, so see for yourself (car lovers and detailers with a weak heart, be warned!). Note the Alcantara letting loose and clinging to the cleaning cloth.


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Several of the Sonax people there said the tests were 'absolutely unambiguous', and the case was 'clear as day'. The director said they would immediately contact the head office in Germany to discuss the case and find a solution.

When I drove home I felt confident they would reimburse me for the damages. After all, they demolished a seat with their own hands during their tests, and they'd said it was 'a clear case'.

A few weeks later I received a phone call from Sonax. The guy told me I only needed to sign a certificate of damage, and include a pro forma bill for the damages. The actual payment was just a formality from then on, he said. When I received this form, Sonax already had checked the claim as *justified*, so all was looking good so far. I signed the form and sent it back to them, accompanied by the official estimate from my Audi dealer.

From then on it remained silent for a long time. The only updates I got were from Tim, my supplier. He'd contacted Sonax on many occasions, and they told him every single time the case was 'crystal clear', and the reimbursement 'just a formality'.

On May 16th Tim brought me the good news that Sonax had told him the case was finally cleared by the head office in Germany. They were sorry it took so long, but they would finally make good. I was delighted, Ronin could be finally restored to his old self, and I would soon be rid of the hideously mangled interior.

But again, all we got from Sonax was silence. Tim got mad, and wrote a polite but firm e-mail to the director of Sonax. As a result I got a very brief reply, stating: "We've brought this case to the attention of our head office in Germany, we'll inform you of any progress".

I was lost for words. What the Hey…? They'd already done that three months ago! Besides, they already said the head office approved the case, and gave them the green light to – finally - reimburse me for the damages. And now this!

Nevertheless, out of courtesy I gave them the benefit of the doubt, and waited a couple of weeks for a more meaningful reply. But, again – a deep silence. So I wrote them a polite but firm letter, stating all the facts and the repeated promises made by them, asking for a prompt reply.

The answer came as a shock; Sonax now suddenly claimed NOT to be responsible. They informed me they had rejected the claim. According to them Audi was to blame, or the manufacturer of the Alcantara. Attached was some screenshot from a local rag, about some couches being upholstered in fake Alcantara… Yeah right (!). That really sounds like something Audi would use on their premium cars… fake Alcantara (NOT). Besides, in all those five years, I never had a problem. And then, miraculously, in ten minutes it's RUINED after treatment with Sonax 'eXtreme' Alcantara Cleaner? Notably; a result repeated by Sonax themselves!!!

There was not one word about the seat they ruined. Just the standard phrase: "regrettably so and so". Regrettably they're leaving me hanging with the – substantial – damages.

Thus far – being (too) modest and hoping for a quick and decent solution, I only claimed the damaged parts. But now I'm thinking, it's not only a matter of simply replacing a few 'covers' and parts, there might well be a problem to match the colours exactly. The S8 has the so called Alcantara Plus Package, so everything is covered in Alcantara; roof lining, door panels, pillars, parcel shelf, etc. And the middle sections of all seats of course.

I'm afraid the only way to get my right is though the court. Thus far Sonax seems unwilling to come up with a fair solution.

Meanwhile another case with a faulty Sonax product has been brought to my attention. This product completely ruined a convertible roof. In this case Sonax also refused to pay, but fortunately the husband of the lady who owns the car happens to be a lawyer. He brought the case to court and won. Sonax had to pay for a complete new convertible roof.

So there's still hope, but I guess you can appreciate how sick I am of looking at my ruined upholstery, AND the way a wealthy company like Sonax is behaving. I honestly think it borders on criminal behaviour to make promise upon promise, only to keep a customer waiting in vain for over three months, and then pull a Pontius Pilate… Well, they can try to wash their hands all they want, innocent they'll never become…

So - the main reason for posting this, next to hopefully getting some good advice from you guys - a fair warning for all you car lovers and detailers, beware of what product you use on your precious cars… I wouldn't wish the same ordeal on anyone else…

Don't get me wrong, I'm not out to 'get' someone, and I appreciate the fact that anyone can make a mistake. What really counts is how you deal with it afterwards. And, regrettably, Sonax REALLY falls short in that department. It would have been a matter of mere common decency to find a solution for a problem they've caused. But apparently they rather spend millions on advertising than a few grand on customer satisfaction. Guess what really matters in the end, satisfied customers, or flashy ads and racing sponsorships?

Thanks for reading this long story…

Be well, and keep them cars nice and shiny…

ISF_GG

iTrader: (2)

Well that sucks^^^. I didn't use the "extreme" Sonax, thank God! My Alcantara remained in excellent condition after numerous applications of Sonax. My experience was far, far different than the nightmare you had.

SoulFreak

iTrader: (1)

That's pretty jaw dropping

suprasupra

GG , the above referenced post was not my experience, but one I found of a few on the internet regarding problems involving Sonax and Alcantara. they were enough to keep me away when I was doing my research on a suitable cleaner. It may have been just a few anomaly's and Sonax is quite suitable, I did not want to take the risk.

invius

Spend ~$100 and buy a Bissel Little Green Machine. It's like a tiny steam cleaner. You put cleaning solution in one side diluted with water, it sprays it into the area that needs cleaning and puts the dirty water that it pulls back out of the stain in the other side of the machine. It has worked wonders and pulled up amazing stains, including coke my daughter spilled on a cloth seat I had in a car years ago. I think I bought mine at Walmart or Target, but sure you can order as well.

idoke1

iTrader: (5)

You probably could start your own thread on this. Good to know and sorry to hear about that.