Some at work told me it contains some kind of oil that can actually damage the dash pad and crack it faster while it's in the sun. Anyone know if this is a myth? i usually use the leather cleaner armor all to make it extra shiny

 

I've used this product for years on multiple vehicles and never had such a thing happen. The whole point of Armor All is to be a vinyl and plastic protector (from the sun rays), and to make your interior look sharp.

 

ive never had a problem using their products, although i do use Black Magic on my dash pad, there are also people who say using tire shine will make your tires dry rot sooner too, to me, its all geographical location and the age/condition the part started in, if your buying a well known product chances are they aren't going to just put crap on the market as they want to keep a good name

 

I've heard various rumors and reasons as to why it's good, bad, and so forth, but no actual scientific proof.

I have actually had some bad experiences with, although I can't PROVE that it was the armor all.

That being said, why risk it? SOOOO many better products out there!

 

Armor all is not at all bad. They have some very good products. There were some armor all products that contained alcohol in them years back and it added more stress to vinyl and rubber. Todays armor all is fine and is a good product. The thing is its an OTC product and is not superior to some of the other products they have on the market. This is why you will hear it trash talked in forums dedicated to automotive detailing. Essentally you could get a better product that will last longer, look nicer, and protect better for a few dollars more if ordered online. There are better products available OTC as well. Armor all's target market is for the average car owner women and men alike.

 

I have to agree with the fact you can get a much better product such as anything by "Meguiars" for plastic ,vinyl, leather, rubber, and soap for washing the car. I asked my friend after he painted my car ( pro.automotive painter and collision repair man) about what products to use on the car and that's what he suggested. Ive used everything from there Hot Shine tire spray to the Gold Class car wash soap and conditioner and have to say I'm very happy with them.The only other product he recommended highly is called Race Glaze polish and sealant as opposed to wax. Its the final step after wash and drying.Hand buffs on ,hand buffs off. Thats it.

 

My fathers career was being an auto-body and paint technician. I currently work for an auto shop and have been detailing and correcting paint for 5 years as well. we have a guy who we sub out collision repair and paint work too and the products he uses are basic 3m stuff and basic megs that you would buy in bulk. Along with many OTC dressings. The point being that what I have come to find out is auto body repair technicians as well as painters and collision experts intentions are to cover up or mask. This is why they work with allot of glazes and sealants. They aren't looking to correct paint or detail there purpose is to take a damaged vehicle and make it look like it did before the accident or repair what was broken. Point being I wouldn't trust his advice as far as products to apply to paint or trim not because he is a liar but because he just doesn't know what is what outside of his field. I would trust someone who has a successful high end auto detailing business. Most of them love to talk believe me I was one.

 

What products do you suggest?
My prep to paint photos = https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...nt-photos.html

 

I`ve had three different cars(2 of which were muscle cars 69 GTO,69 Super Bee)all 3 had mint dashes until I used Armor All.
I found that in the heat that my dash pads cracked.....is it because of the Armor All makes me wonder! (I`ve had the cars for years no problem ,then after applying Armor All the dashes cracked..... coincidence)

 

There are plenty of used cars out there with "puffed up" interiors. Steering wheels, air bag covers, consoles. I'm certain it's caused by protective treatments, not nessecarily Armour All. These chemicals are absorbed by the plastic/rubber/whatever.

If you want you interior to last, just clean it with warm water and a touch of mild soap.

Leather seats and trim do need to be oiled to prevent cracking.

 

used amorall on all my cars and no probs but I do hear the same comments. Still use it though

 

I've always thought the protecting quality of this stuff is just that it makes the surface shine, reflecting the sunlight. I've used Meguirs vinyl conditioner on my dash and it still looks new so far. But my car is garaged and I make a point of using a shield in the windshield if it sits out in the sun for any length of time.

 

I've used Armorall exclusively on all interior dash surfaces, including the dash pad, for 11 years--and the plastic is flawless--flawless.

 

If you use it and keep applying it then you will not have a problem with cracking. If you put on a lot then just stop the dash will crack. Now I personally will NEVER use it, but that is more because of paint. I have painted quite a few cars and you can always tell which ones have used armorall on their vehicles.

 

Well I would recommend different things depending on skill level, desired application and effect. For a beginner I would recommend some good non OTC megs product and a good wax something like Autoglym hd. I stay away from glazes because they tend to "hide" marring, swirling, and light surface scuffs . If I had to hide those things I would want to get my paint professionally corrected. But then again it all comes down to how you value your paint if you want to spend as little money as possible and hide as much as you can without correction you could go with a glaze. It would bother me though to apply a nice glaze and then next week see the same things popping out only to have to glaze again.

If you order online you can get some better stuff though like megs professional numbered products that are not consumer based. Other companys like (off the top on my head) poor boys, pinnacle, collinite menzerna, wolfgang, swiss, DP, p21s, dodo juice, Sonax, 3m proffesional, griots, Klass, and adams all outshine the consumer based OTC companys. Im sure there are others I left out.

There are so many other factors when recommending the right products. Doing some research and making smart purchases online instead of buying cheap consumer based product will go further and cost less in the long run. This is of course if paint preservation and car is important to you.

 

I was told by a dashpad replacement company not to use armour all, and in fact not to use really anything much at all. I was recommended several other products such as Turtle Wax F-21 stuff which is what I use.

But I was told to use it rarely, maybe 3-4 times a year and only then when dressing out for a big show or something. To get rid of dust and to clean, I was told to just use glass cleaner and then very sparingly and on a cool dash pad - just enough of a spritz on a rag to hold the dust.

It's not so much an issue on the other plastics/vinyls I guess, since they don't see as much sunlight as the dash pad. And given that I have a perfect dashpad, I heed the advise, and after 4 years so far so good.

I do keep my dashpad covered at all times - a $30 carpet overlay from ebay serves the purpose well. They look good, fit great, and most times I don't even remove it for a show (unless I think I really have a shot at a major trophy for some other reason). I did not use the sticky tape they come with - I just push it up into the windshield where it gets kinda stuck in there, and leave it - even with T-tops out and windows down on the highway, it stays in place.

 

Thanks blackbmagic. I do care about my car. Thats why I "Thought" I was doing the right thing with the right products. Live and learn.

 

Zaino Products
/thread

 

My reply wasn't intended towards just you. It was intended for the general hobbiest or car owner on this site. I saw the pictures of your car on multiple other threads and from what I have seen your paint and the scheme is superb. I like it very much. I was just throwing my bit of experience and knowledge towards everyone for them to think about a bit.

 

I've found that the best thing for paint is to leave the car in the garage and not drive it!

....everything else, no matter how ridiculous that might sound, is simply deciding what level of paint abuse you're willing to accept, and what level you're not willing to accept. You need to put the whole thing in perspective. It's a car, it's gonna get blemishes. Think about it, the worst thing you can do is NOTHING. ....and the best, as stated is to not drive it at all. Since neither is an option, it's all about deciding what level of cost and effort is worth it to each of us.

 

Great post(even though some people do nothing)

 

i used to work in a tire shop (mainly tractor trailer and backhoes and what not) but yes that was the myth there, armor all would dry rot your tires much faster...so i've never used on my tires, although they do shine up reallllly nice once armor alled lol...

 

Armor all "PROTECTANT" sucks. Their cleaning products are ok 'cause they don't leave the slick as **** layer on everything.

 

Been using Armor all for years on multiple vehicles....no problems here...

 

Have you been slipping on your floor mats again? I'm pretty sure it states that you are not suppose to use that product on such things

 

There's no shine like "Mothers" It's the only product our club uses.