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How to clean the leather interior
Ford's Technical Service Bulletin 97-5-3 (March 3, 1997) outlines the proper procedure for cleaning a leather interior. As published, this TSB applies to 1993 and later vehicles. There's no mention of the Merkurs, so use your own judgment about the relevance of this TSB to us. Personally, I buy into it.

Automobile interiors use a leather quite different from the other leathers we usually encounter, so the familiar daily processes may actually be damaging to our Merkurs' interiors.

Normal cleaning is best done with a soft cloth dampened with mild soap and water. Soaking the leather is a bad practice, so wring out the cloth well.

If dirt remains, use "Tanners Preserve Leather Cleaner" and a 3M type T scrubbing pad (UPC 048011-01276). Please carefully note and honor that specification: type T, not any other 3M pad. The widely available (and probably already in your kitchen) green "Scotch Brite" pad will do violence to your Merkur's leather. If you have trouble locating "Tanners Preserve Leather Cleaner" at your local auto supply shop, call First Brands at 1-800-726-1001.

For light soil, spray the cleaner onto the pad and use a circular motion to work the cleaner into about a quarter of the area you're cleaning. For heavier soil you can spray the foamy cleaner directly onto the leather - but to moisten it, not to soak it. Use a separate damp (not wet) soft cloth to remove the loosened debris, then dry the area with another soft cloth. None of these steps is arbitrary or expendible. Follow the directions.

Here's a cautionary note for all owners of XR4Ti's and of Scorpios with the taupe leather. Some clothing fabrics aren't colorfast. Wool, denim, and leather are examples. If these when wet come in contact with leather upholstery, there may be a dye transfer to your car's interior. To avoid permanent staining, the upholstery should be cleaned immediately.

And the TSB emphasizes in all cases that we shouldn't use household cleaners intended for glass, rubber, or plastics such as vinyl. It warns of damage to the leather.

From Chris Cleeland comes a recommendation for two other products: Lexol and Connolly Hide Food (great name!). I like his process, so I'm taking the liberty of quoting him.

Usually what I do is start in the morning when the leather is cool and use the Lexol cleaner and a damp sponge (which I rinse regularly) to get all the dirt out of the pores. Then the car gets moved into the sun so the leather can heat up. After a little while to warm the leather, I spray the Lexol conditioner on liberally and work it around with my fingers, then close the car up and leave it in (preferably indirect) sun to soak in. Once it looks like it's been absorbed, I use a soft paper towel or cotton cloth to wipe off the excess.

Since purchasing a Volvo with leather, I have also come into contact with Connolly Hide Food, which is a leather care product endorsed by the renowned Connolly Tanneries in the UK, and one of the two products that Volvo recommends (the other is Lexol). I purchase a jar of this (it's a cream) and used it on the last cleaning in place of the Lexol conditioner. WOW! Softened some stiff spots (e.g., the armrest and the upper deck of the rear seat) rather quickly.

Thanks, Chris.

Paul Keuttel adds:
Doing Spring detailing and have discovered a neat alternative to ArmorAll. It's a German product called Zymol (umlaut over the 'o'. German for Zym Oil) More oily than ArmourAll spreads easier and ends up less slippery and wet looking. Got it at Wal-Mart.

... and thanks, Paul.

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