How to Upgrade Car Roof Thermal Insulation

The Headliner

When we say "headliner", we are referring to the layers covering the ceiling of your vehicle’s interior. A knit fabric layer covers a foam-like layer of polyurethane that adheres to the fiberglass roof. This entire unit is the headliner, and it keeps the temperature comfortable inside the car while also providing a degree of sound deadening. However, outside of luxury vehicles, this standard layer of polyurethane in most cars is usually minimal, leaving significant room for improvement.

Benefits to Upgrading Roof Insulation

Upgrading your roof insulation will create a noticeably quieter and more comfortable environment, reducing rain and other weather-related noise and helping maintain temperatures inside the vehicle. Per the Department of Energy, your air conditioning is the #1 cause of reduced fuel economy in hot weather. Blasting the AC can reduce fuel economy by more than 25%. By upgrading your car roof's insulation with a Second Skin roof kit, less cool air will escape and it'll take less energy to keep the vehicle cool in the summer. Better gas mileage and more comfort? Yes please!

You will also notice improved performance of your audio system, with the additional insulation reducing exterior noise through the roof and improving the clarity of the music. Some customers even find themselves turning the volume down since airborne noise is less of an an issue! And if you have a sub in the trunk, we don't need to tell you twice about the benefits of reducing roof flex. We designed our Roof Kit to improve all of it.

Alcantara is a suede-like fabric that has become popular of late, but what is it, and is it worth having?

It may look like suede, it may feel like suede, but Alcantara is actually a synthetic textile made from a blend of polyester and polyurethane. It’s a trademarked, proprietary material (hence why the first letter of word is capitalised) that was developed in the 1970s by a Japanese chemist, and has been manufactured by the Italian company Alcantara ever since.

Similar fabrics with different names and made by other firms are available – if you come across UltraSuede or MicroSuede on an options list, these are comparable – but Alcantara made such an impact on the car industry that, as with Hoover, Kleenex and Thermos, the brand name has become shorthand for suede-like synthetic microfibre textiles.

Where is Alcantara used in car interiors?

Alcantara found favour as a covering for racing car steering wheels and gearlevers, and these are places where the fabric is commonly found in road cars featuring the material. But Alcantara can appear anywhere in a cabin: seats can be upholstered in Alcantara, dashboards can be covered in the material, while arm rests, door cards, transmission tunnels, sun visors and headliners (a car’s ceiling) can also be shod in Alcantara.

What are the pros and cons of Alcantara?

Pros

The reason Alcantara found favour on race-car gearlevers and steering wheels is that it provides much more grip than conventional leather or plastic. This is of huge benefit in hot, sweaty and oily race-car cabins, as is the fact its matte finish means it does not reflect sunlight back onto windscreens, or into the driver’s eyes.

Alcantara can be made flame retardant and is lighter and harder wearing than an equivalent suede leather. Plus, unlike leather, no animals are involved in its production, and it is vegan friendly. It’s soft texture and sporting heritage, meanwhile, mean Alcantara is perceived to have a premium image.

Cons

No material is perfect, and Alcantara is no exception to this rule. One of the most noticeable issues with Alcantara is that it can wear quite noticeably, which is something of a disadvantage given it is often fitted on areas that are touched and handled frequently. When it’s new, Alcantara has a soft, slightly fluffy look and feel – technically known as ‘nap’ – but over time it can become flat, and lose its softness. Badly worn Alcantara loses much of its visual appeal, and can feel hard and grainy or greasy to the touch. This is partly as Alcantara absorbs oils from your hands, and dirt from your clothes.

Regular cleaning of Alcantara can mitigate or prevent this, and while cleaning is relatively straightforward, Alcantara requires gentle cleaning solutions and brushes – check your car’s handbook or any product instructions before attempting to clean Alcantara.

The nap of Alcantara also means that sitting on seats covered in the material makes the fabric’s piles lie in a different direction from piles that have been untouched, resulting in what appears to be different shades of the material. This may not bother you, but it may irk more fastidious owners.

How does Alcantara compare to other car interior fabrics?

Alcantara is harder wearing and more moisture resistant than suede, while offering higher levels of grip than conventional leather or traditional fabrics. It’s not as hardy a material as traditional leather or fabric, though, and requires more regular cleaning. It also tends to either be offered as an optional extra or as part of a higher trim level. Prices for Alcantara will vary from car to car, but it’s often roughly the same price as leather, so think £1,000 to £3,000 or so.

What cars come with Alcantara?

Alcantara used to be the preserve of the most expensive performance cars, but the cost has come down significantly in recent years, so it now turns up in more mainstream cars, as well.

A large number of manufacturers use Alcantara somewhere in the interior of their sporty models. Some also use it in high-spec, non-sports models, as it looks and feels more expensive than cloth.

Some other manufacturers use a textile similar to Alcantara that isn’t Alcantara. Porsche, for instance, uses a material it calls Race-Tex (pictured above).

Is Alcantara worth it?

There’s no denying that Alcantara is a lovely material that can really lift a car’s cabin, but it does come with some drawbacks. If you’re happy with regularly cleaning it to preserve its softness, and it doesn’t bother you having the nap and fibres run in different directions depending on whether the surface have been disturbed, it’s definitely worth getting. If you prefer to just get in your car and drive, and like a quiet life where little maintenance and aftercare are required, however, it may be worth considering a different material finish.

Alcantara FAQs

How do you clean Alcantara?

The first rule of cleaning Alcantara is to read your car’s handbook before starting. The second rule is to not use harsh cleaning chemicals or stiff brushes. Start by trying rubbing with water and a microfibre cloth, and if this doesn’t not yield results consider a specialist upholstery cleaner that states it’s compatible with Alcantara.

Is Alcantara expensive?

Alcantara is more expensive than conventional fabrics, and roughly on a par with leather as a car material.

Is Alcantara waterproof?

Alcantara is water-resistant, and won’t be stained by water. It does absorb oils from your hands and any dirt that may be on your clothes, though, while it can also stain.

What is Alcantara made from?

Alcantara is made from a blend of 68% polyester and 32% polyurethane, synthetic textiles that are extruded, combined, and put through a variety of chemical and textile processes before becoming as Alcantara.

Is Alcantara vegan?

Yes: Alcantara does not utilise any animal byproducts, being composed of synthetic textiles.

Different types of microfiber car cloths are excellent for various car interior detailing tasks. Use these non-abrasive cloths, wet or dry, for effective cleaning. Moreover, you can use them again and again. Also, microfiber car cloths can withstand numerous uses and wash cycles, making them cost-effective in the long run compared to throwaway cleaning materials.

If you take pride in your car, download our Eco Wash Benefit Guide to find out how we guarantee a superior clean in an environmentally friendly way:

Popular Types of Microfiber Car Cloths

The microfiber material is effective at trapping and lifting dust, dirt, and grime from surfaces. Equally important, it removes contaminants without scratching or damaging your car interior. Here’s our guide to the different types to add to your car interior detailing kit:

Chenille Microfiber Car Cloth

This specialized type of microfiber car cloth is available in different shapes and sizes, with the mitt design being a favorite with the pros. The cloth has thick, tufted threads woven into individual “fingers. The cloth’s plush texture is excellent at grabbing dirt and dust. For that reason, use them for dusting your car’s dashboard and center console.

Additionally, chenille microfiber cloths have exceptional absorbent properties. They hold a lot of liquid, making them ideal for wiping up spills or drying material after you deep clean car seats. Also, you can use them to hand wash your car exterior.

If you’re looking for a recommendation, try Ultimate Car Wash Mitt by Relentless Drive. It doubles as a duster and is great for car interior windows and mirrors.

General Purpose

You can use general-purpose microfiber cloths for various places to clean the inside of your car. By and large, these cloths are made from a blend of polyester and polyamide fibers to create a high-quality product. And a popular size for detailing a car interior is 16” x 16”. Alternatively, you can go extra-large with a 24” x 16” design.

Look out for the Workhorse Yellow Professional Grade Microfiber Towel by the Chemical Guys. This microfiber car cloth is made with a 70/30 microfiber blend, making it ideal for cleaning and buffing interior surfaces, including leather seats. See our tips on how to steam clean car seats.

Waffle Weave

Must-have car interior detailing tools include the waffle weave cloth. You’ll recognize waffle weave microfiber cloths by their distinctive pattern – raised squares or rectangles with small depressions in between. This textured surface is perfect for drying surfaces after using car interior detailing products.

Like the other microfiber car cloths, they are lint-free. Therefore, they won’t leave behind fibers or lint on surfaces. So, you can also use them to clean glass and mirrors for a streak-free finish.

The Rag Company has an excellent range of microfiber car cloths, including a waffle weave one called Dry Me A River. It is available in 4 sizes ranging from 16” x 16” to 26” x 59”. This non-abrasive design is safe for your car electrical equipment and navigation screens.

Edgeless Cloths

Edgeless cloths have no stitched or hemmed edges, making them super safe to use on delicate materials and glossy surfaces. Use them damp with a car interior cleaner on surfaces or dry for dusting.

Again, these cloths are available in different sizes and weights. For example, if you want a thicker edgeless cloth, try MaxShine Crazy Fluffy Edgeless Towel. Its fabric weight is 500 GSM, which gives it an ultra-plush feel. Therefore, it is ideal for polishing and drying.

If you want to add a lighter cloth to your cleaning kit, try the Edgeless 245 GSM. This type is a popular choice for stain removal due to its absorbency and cleaning power. For more tips, see how to remove stains from car seats.

Factors to Consider

Getting to know the types of microfiber car cloths makes choosing the correct one for a particular detailing task easier. Here are some other factors to consider:

How to Care for Microfiber Car Cloths

Knowing how to clean microfiber cloths helps them last longer. When washing microfiber products there are key points to consider:

• Separate Loads: First thing to remember is to wash microfiber cloths separately from cotton or other lint-producing fabrics to prevent lint and fuzz from sticking to the microfiber. Also, wash dark and light colors separately.
• Wash in warm or cold water: High temperatures can damage the microfiber and reduce its effectiveness. You can machine wash most cloths in warm or cold water with a mild detergent. To be on the safe side, follow the wash instructions.
• Steer clear of fabric softeners: Fabric softeners leave a residue that clogs the microfiber’s fibers and reduces its ability to pick up dirt and absorb liquids.
• Don’t use bleach: Bleach breaks down the cloth fibers, i.e., it reduces the electrical charge of microfiber, which takes away its dirt-collecting powers.
• Air dry: The best way to dry microfiber car cloths is hang them on a line. If you choose to use a dryer, use a low heat setting. Avoid using high heat, as it can damage the microfiber fibers.
• No Ironing: Finally, don’t iron your cloths because excessive heat can harm the fibers.

Thickness of Fabric

Buying a variety of thick and thin cloths ensures you have suitable ones for all your interior detailing tasks. As a guide to thickness, look for the “GSM”, which stands for “Grams per Square Meter.” It is a measurement of the weight or thickness of the fabric and gives you a good idea of the quality and absorbency of microfiber cloths.

For example, a higher GSM value indicates a thicker and denser cloth. Generally, it means it can absorb more liquid and is more durable. Microfiber cloths with higher GSM values are ideal for cleaning car seats and polishing surfaces.

In contrast, lower GSM microfiber cloths are lighter and are good for cleaning glass, mirrors, or electronics screens.

Color-Coded Cloths

Car detailers often use color-coding to prevent cross-contamination. Each color represents a specific use or cleaning task. For example, use blue for glass, yellow when you steam clean car interior, and green for exterior surfaces.

Steps and Techniques

Finally, clean like a pro to get the best out of your cloths. For example, here are a few things to do before using your cloths:

• Use your car vacuum to thoroughly clean seats and surfaces before wiping clean with a cloth.
• For tough stains, pre-treat the affected area with an appropriate stain remover. Then, use a car wash brush to agitate the stain.
• The best way to detail a car interior involves steam. After directing steam at car interior surfaces, use your microfiber cloth to remove excess moisture.

Conclusion

To sum up, the different types of microfiber car cloths let you effectively clean various surfaces and materials inside your car. For example, some have higher absorbency to lift stains and soapy residue from car seats. Other types of cloth are more suitable for polishing interior surfaces, like glass or electronic displays.

By all means, if you need help restoring the shine to your vehicle, use our car interior detailing service. Our mobile detailers come to you. Time-saving and convenient!

Download our Eco Wash Benefit Guide to find out how we guarantee a greener clean without wasting water: