Pointless using leather balm as the the leather in a modern car won't absorb the balm or "conditioner" owing to modern dye's on leather being protected by a clearcoat. If anything the balm will attract more levels of dirt.
You merely need to clean and seal (note not condition) to ensure that it remains easy to clean. For example cleaning with dr leather, drying and then sealing with Gtechniq L1 or the LTT range. Furthermore, if you read Volvo's own advise in the manual it will back this up as does the fact that Volvo's own leather cleaner and protection is exactly that mere protection no conditioner based products.
Why can you not detail them at home taking them off yourself?
I must say the information in the car care part of the manual has improved in this area earlier cars were pretty poor in that respect. As taken from the XC's MY14.5 manual:
Quote:
Volvo's leather upholstery is treated to preserve
its original appearance.
Leather upholstery ages and acquires a beautiful
patina over time. The leather is refined
and processed so that it retains its natural
characteristics. It is given a protective coating,
but regular cleaning is required in order
to maintain both characteristics and appearance.
Volvo offers a comprehensive product
for the cleaning and treatment of leather
upholstery which, when used in accordance
with the instructions, preserves the leather's
protective coating. After a period of use the
natural appearance of the leather will nevertheless
emerge, depending more or less on
the surface texture of the leather. This is a
natural maturing of the leather and shows
that it is a natural product.
To achieve best results Volvo recommends
cleaning and the application of protective
cream once to four times per year (or more if
necessary). The Volvo Leather Care kit is
available from your Volvo dealer.
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