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Protecting leather interior in hot dry climates


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Hi there!

I just got my Edge a week or two ago. I live in North AZ where it is hot and dry for about 8 months of the year (not as bad as Phoenix or Tucson, but still). I have an Edge Sport with a leather interior so I'm looking for ways to protect the interior.

I was considering getting some high end seat covers, but because the issue is dryness, I don't know if they will protect the leather from cracking. Will I still have to take the seat covers off and condition the leather to ensure that they keep moisture?

From everything I've read, I basically need to condition all the leather and the dash every month or so, to make sure it doesn't crack.

Does anyone know how durable the leather is in these cars?

If anyone has experience with this I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks!
Mikey

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It's Ford (not Lincoln) leather, you live in a hot/dry climate. If you are planning to keep the Edge for a substantial length of time, dress the leather well with a good leather cleaner/conditioner every couple of months. Should not be a lot of product required if done at these short intervals. Will maintain suppleness and looks.

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  • 2 years later...

+1 on using the leather conditioner - lots of good products out there to protect those seats... Perhaps also consider adding a tint film (doesn't have to be dark!) to the windows that will reject UV rays, heat build-up, etc. There are products available with these sun-blocking characteristics that won't make the car look "pimped". Also, if you are parking it where it's exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time, a windshield cover is a cheap investment that makes a lot of sense. Stating the obvious, If you don't let the sun's rays get to the leather seats / vinyl dash, it won't be able to break them down nearly as much. Just my .02.

 

Oh, I just noticed this is an old thread. How have your seats held up?

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Having lived in SoCal and Texas the best protection I've ever found is a garage. In lieu of that, a carport. If neither one of this is available the Zymol Leather Conditioner is excellent stuff. I'm sure any good leather conditioner would do but I've had good luck with the Zymol product. Once a month might be overkill but once going into summer and then again heading into winter would suffice.

 

EDIT: And +1 on a good window tint.

Edited by chefduane
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In past years, Lincoln used to recommend a specific brand (perhaps there was a kickback, but it was official). Here's a link to their website : https://www.leatherworldtech.com/Leather-Master-Products-s/1831.htm

 

Ivery also read where professional car detailers will use Woolite to clean leather without harm. Nevet use dish soap.

Edited by enigma-2
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I had the drivers seat & back on my Explorer reconditioned and the place that did it (The Seat Shop in Allen, TX) used Scrubbing Bubbles shower tile cleaner to clean the leather. They swore by it and the seat came out looking really great. Good bunch of guys to do business with also.

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I would be afraid of putting a strong bleach product on automotive leather.

 

Scrubbing Bubbles contains Sodium Hypochlorite (bleach), Sodium hypochlorite (basic ingredient in laundry bleach), mold and mildew stain removers, Sodium Carbonate, Decylamine Oxide, Sodium Hydroxide & Fragrance.

 

I would be afraid of weakening or removing the leather's protective layer. (Plus the fear of getting a bleach product down into the perforations).

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They swore by the stuff and it really cleaned the seat well. They then used two types of conditioner to really get it into good shape, soft, supple, and clean. I wouldn't use the stuff regularly and long term for the reasons you mentioned, but for a one time clean it really did a good job.

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