I know this is old news, but I'm hoping to hear some updates on the water stain problems with 04-07 gray fabric seats. Mine is an 04. I followed some earlier advice to clean the seats then coat with Scotchguard. I applied 2 decent coats. Looked great until the next rainy day. Again, the slightest bit of water caused stains. I've also seen the problem on my company's fleet of '07's, and my '05 Focus. Has Ford offered any advice? Any other suggestions to clean and prevent the staining????

 

I've actually had this same issue and it was covered in another thread. After using one of the uphostery cleaners I noticed that I had spots in my seats so we went down to the dealership and they told me not to use seat cleaner on my seats but didn't have a good solution on what do use. I guess were suppose to let them cake up with dust and dirt to sit on

 

Right. Most cleaners are water based, thus cause water stains themselves. I'm amazed that Ford hasn't figured it out. They're still building '07s with the same problem.

 

in a spray bottle mixed with water 1 part vinegar 9 parts water. Lightly spray the affected area and remove excess with a clean towel. This will make brown out disappear.

 

Once you do get it clean...I would reccommend either spraying it down with 303 high tech fabric gaurd or some scotchgaurd to repel the water...

 

I haven't found anything to work. As soon as I clean the area and it drys, there is a ring spot where the cleaner was. I got tired of cleaning the seats regularly so I just dumped $300 in seat covers

 

Grey is the worst color for that. You need to neutralise after you use any alkaline cleaner with an acid IE white vinegar. If it wet to long that will cause it to. There are acid rinses that carpet cleaning supply houses sell but white vinegar will work just fine. Just make sure to dilute it 10%. Its any easy fix.
I dont know why grey is such a common color. Stupid. Shades of Brown are the best wear color. Its not just Ford that uses it. all the car manufacturs seem to favor grey.

 

I have to assume that since grey isn't a real color (being somewhere between black and white) that as a generic interior it doesn't clash with any color exterior. So it can be used in more vehicles and reduces manufacturing / stocking costs across the board.

I admit, there may be a color that it doesn't work great with but that's why I think grey as an interior is so common.