armor all
 

i just got a bunch of different types of armor all wipes for my b-day and one of them were for exterior plastic and rubber are these fine for the wheels b/c my sister said she heard that amorall makes the crack

RE: armor all
 

Since you asked..I'll be quite honest with you..

I never was a big fan of Armor-ALL...The original formulation was horrible..it would leave everything slimey and yes your sister is right..Armor-all is nothing but silicone and that will suck the moisture out of anything and cause it to get brittle and eventually crack...I don't know about today's Armor-all in all fairness, but I doubt they stopped using Silicones in their stuff...I stopped usingArmor-allover 20 years ago.

RE: armor all
 

I would agree with Dennis. armorall is the worst stuff for your dash, but for tire dressing and wheel cleaner, I have no idea. Since you replace tires more often that your dash, I would assume any damage done by the armorall would become evidant by the end of the usefull life of the tire, but I personally avoid anything with a viking on the bottle.

RE: armor all
 

I agree with Dennis. The original stuff was silicone based and while it worked great at first, over time it would dry and discolor your plastics. I have not used it myself for ages, so cannot personally speak as to what it's like today, but I have friends who are detailers who say to stay away unless your trying to sell your car right away!

RE: armor all
 

Racist!!;):D

RE: armor all
 

so whats the best thing to use on the dash ?

RE: armor all
 

These two are my favorites

Attachment 24085

RE: armor all
 

I have used baby oil mixed with water before. Mix a little in a spray bottle and mist onto the dash, then spread with a damp sponge. Use the oil sparingly, because a little goes a long way, and a thick residue will collect dust like there is no tomorrow. The nice thing about it is it is water based, and the dash will soak up the moisture keeping it from drying out and cracking. You can also use the baby oil on the tires too, but after about 15 minutes the shine is gone because the rubber soaked up the oil. Supposedly it will help prevent the tires from dry rotting, but I have never used it long enough, nor kept tires that long to test that theory.

RE: armor all
 

Hey, you're supposed to BABY your car, noy BABY OIL it!!!:D:D:D

RE: armor all
 

Linus that method may be good IF one does not live in a very warm/hot climate...the baby oil acts like just what it is...oil...what does oil do when it gets heated? COOKS! Which then tends to dry out, turn white and crack eventually.

RE: armor all
 

Listen to Dennis.

RE: armor all
 

I preferr "to use baby oils" on ahhh, the human body, not my cars---:)

RE: armor all
 

Where does baby oil come from anyways? You get olive oil from olives, sunflower oil from sunflowers, so........

RE: armor all
 

[sm=funnypostabove.gif]

RE: armor all
 

I got the idea for using baby oil from a auto detailing book written by a guy who owns a detail shop in SoCal. No, it's not what he uses in his shop, but it is a product that will work to shine and protect the dash if nothing else is available. The interior of your car is not like your skin, so the oil will not cook your dash. Even though it is oil, it iswater based so it wont hurt anything in the car. If you leave a thin film, thinned out even more by mixing with water, in a few minutes it has evaporated/ soaked into the dash, leaving a nice shine.

BTW: I am Irish, so I dont tan, I burn. Since I live in the Pacific Northwest, I dont even do that, I rust.:D

RE: armor all
 

Since I can't seem to find the Tech Protect...I may try the Vinylex. I'll let you know what I think.

RE: armor all
 

Did you try PepBoys for the Megquires nxt Protect?..I called their number on the bottle..they claim that their supply can't keep up with the demand..that's why some markets it's hard to find right now..;)






Customer Raves for NXT Generation® Tech Protect


"First off let me say this is the absolutely most awesome protectant I have ever used. I had to use some fairly harsh cleaners to clean off the original 30 year old Dark Blue Vinyl roof on my 1973 Opel Manta (which looked black at the time). I then had to protect it after removing 30 years of grime. I did try to use some of the old standbys first since I had them in the garage, but they didn't work. The NXT Generation Tech Protect not only soaked in, but it soaked in and stayed on top, protecting it from the inside and outside. It made the top softer, shiner, and made it look new. It stayed looking that way for a good two weeks. This is while the car was sitting outside in the rain for the better part of the week. It didn't wash off in the rain! Absolutely awesome!!! My only problem is now no one seems to carry it locally, not even the store I first bought it at. Hopefully I can get the store to change their ways and get this product back."


C. G. -- Midlothian, VA


"I've always loved Meguiar's, but I have to say I'm overwhelmingly impressed with the entire NXT Generation product line and the results I was able to achieve on my 2002 Saleen S-281sc Mustang Convertible using them. NXT Generation Tech Wax goes on and buffs off easily to leave a flawless wet-mirror gloss on the entire vehicle. NXT Generation Tech Protect is by far the very best interior product I have ever used, leaving all my plastics, rubber, and vinyl with a dark, deep, natural-looking gloss. It doesn't look like you've smeared some greasy product all over your interior like competitor's products do! My interior looks better than new. NXT Generation Glass Cleaner made short work of everything I came across from bugs to puddle spatters to product oversprays, drying streak-free without having to do a single piece of glass twice. Using a leading glass cleaner, I've always had to do several cleanings to reach the results I got on my very first wipe with NXT Generation Glass Cleaner. I also have to say that the Gold Class Rich Leather Wipes have been a livesaver with my white leather interior! It takes nothing to leave marks on it yet the Gold Class Rich Leather Wipes take everything out, every time. Thanks a lot!"


T. G. -- Woodland Hills, CA


"I have a 1985 Kawasaki Eliminator ZL900 street bike. I fell in love with this bike when I was 15 and a few years ago was lucky enough to find one since they were only made for 2 years. The person that owned it before me left it outside in the sun and over time all the plastic had become sun faded. I tried a lot of products since I purchased the bike to bring the sun faded plastic back to its original color. None of them worked and I figured I would have to replace the parts. That's when I found out that Kawasaki doesn't make them anymore. I had pretty much given up and decided that I'd have to live with these faded out parts. Then I saw your NXT Generation Tech Protect and bought a bottle to give it one last shot. I am so happy that I did. Just a little squirt on a rag and when I wiped it on I couldn't believe the results that I got. I was absolutely amazed. I just had to say thanks for making such a great product."


M. F. -- Baltimore, MD


"It is here by declared that the NXT Generation product line can not be taken out of production, unless Meguiar's can make a better product (good luck with that!!). I have three cars that have never looked so good. My '96 Miata does not have a clear coat, and the paint now has this great wet look shine. I have helped sell five more bottles to neighbors and friends, after they have seen my cars. I spend at least $200 dollars a year on trying car care products, M

RE: armor all
 

Auto Zone also has it. But if you like the the factory look without that shine, Megquires also makes a quick detailer for the interior. It works very well and does not leave a shine.:)

RE: armor all
 

It must be in high demand because the only place that had it was Auto Zone and they refused to sell it to me stating that they were advised to remove them from the shelf. I've tried Walmart, Pepboys, 2 Advanced Autos, and 2 Auto Zones and with the exception of the 1 Auto Zone that refused to sell them to me...nobody else carried it. I'll just order a bottle from the Maguire's website.

RE: armor all
 

Maybe it's so good...the competition is forcing them to take it off the shelves..:D:D

If there was anything wrong with it..funny that Meguires would sell you some...[&:]

RE: armor all
 

I called Maguire's and they said there's nothing wrong.....I'm anxious to toss my old Armor All and replace it with something better!

RE: armor all
 

has silicone and sucks out moisture? ...I think I'm going to try armor all as a longterm-storage protectant for my firearms :P. if it works, it's a helluva lot cheaper than eezox :P

RE: armor all
 

Try astroglide on the tires

RE: armor all
 

lol.. astroglide is the best stuff ever :D

RE: armor all
 

It will help you slide between the rocks with no friction. [8D]

RE: armor all
 

I will have to try that pro-tech stuff too, last time I used armor all was about 3 years ago. 2 years of applying it to the dash of one of my camaros and it got very very brittle and cracked. I had just been using a warm rag slightly soapy just no shine to it but no fading either.

I've used Lemon Pledge for years on my old Corvettes and it works great, here's a post from a Harley guy and most seem to agree... Plus Armor All is really bad for your dash, just finished restoring a 77 Corvette that had used Armor All and the interior was gone! One day someone will want to restore our HUMMER's I hope

Here's the post

The Truth about Lemon Pledge Chemical analysis of Pledge Furniture Polish

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I ran across this on another site and thought it might make for interesting reading for all those folks who make fun of old timers who have used Pledge on our cars and bikes for years. The man who wrote it claims to be a chemical engineer. For whatever it is worth, I don't use the Pledge brand anymore but substitute the cheap stuff found at the Dollar store, which costs $1.50 for a tall aerosol can. It works just as good and costs about a third of what the name brand Pledge costs.


Lets start out with the actual ingredients found in a spray can of Pledge.

Please note that the base formula will be different being dispensed from a spray can or pressurized aerosol vessel due to the fact that a "propellant" is needed to transfer the product from the container to a surface, in this case lets say a fender or a windshield. A trigger plastic spray container would not require this propellant additive.

For the purpose of this discussion, I will list the information relative to Pledge in the aerosol spray can as it appears to be the most common used by others on this forum.
The base ingredients are:

1. Naphtha, petroleum, light alkylate 5%-10% or (isoparaffinic hydrocarbon solvent)
2. Polydimethylsiloxanes (Silicon oil) 5%-10%
3. Water 70%-85%
4. Butane1% -5%
5. Isobutane1% - 5%
6. Propane1% - 5%

Now we can breakdown what these are and what they do.

The first ingredient is:

1-Naphta,petroleum,light alkylate.
This is a hydrocarbon solvent-based dispersant formulation which combines oil penetrability. In other words remember the label says "smear and smudge proof"? These are the ingredients that will break down and remove the smears, finger or dermal tissue oils. Criminals take note.. use this to eliminate finger prints. Just dont be a dumb (EDITED) and leave the can behind!!

Now, what is a hydrocarbon?
A general term for organic compounds which contain only carbon and hydrogen. They are divided into saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, aliphatic (alkane or fatty) and aromatic (benzene) hydrocarbons. Crude
oil is essentially a complex mixture of hydrocarbons.

To break it down even further, I will now define an organic compound.

An organic compound is any member of a large class of chemical
compounds whose molecules contain carbon.
What is carbon you asked? I knew ya would!!

Carbon is a chemical element with symbol C and atomic number 6. As a member of group 14 on the periodic table, it is nonmetallic and tetravalent (a state of an atom with four electrons making four electrons available to form covalent chemical bonds.)

A chemical element is a type of atom that is distinguished by its atomic number; that is, by the number of protons in its nucleus. The term is also used to refer to a pure chemical substance composed.

What does this all mean?? It is a pure chemical substance.
Why is it in there? Remember the finger print? It is a solvent that removes oily residues. This is the cleaning agent in the product.
Look at the can.."It dusts and cleans". this is what makes it clean/remove dirt,grease,oil,grime.

That was the more lenghty one. The remainder are relatively simple. If you are still reading at this point, thanks for bearing with me.Go grab another beer! I will summarize at the end and compare to other products on the market in terms of ingredients, costs and results.

The second noted ingredient is:


2-Polydimethylsiloxanes or Silicon oil 5%-10%.
This is silicone based oil. The molecular structure of this is such that friction is significantly reduced. This nifty additional ingredient is also the reason why the ..refer to label again.. NO WAX BUILD-UP!! Silicone will blend with it'self and not mix or layer with other chemicals.
It does however have the ability to **** bike painters off due to the fact that it needs to be completely removed proir to coating with paint. If not...start all over again. It makes surfaces slick so that nothing sticks. It also provides the shine to the surface.
This chemical is also present in 95% of products us bikers use on our scoots such as Armor All, Meguires Wax and STP Son of a Gun just to mentiion a few so if you are worried about using Pledge in the past on your bike, you may alraedy have and just did not know it.
This silicone oil is also an ingredient in Right Guard deodorant, baby powder,Desitin, Gillette Dry and several moisturizers and creams. This is why Pledge does not contain wax, they use this instead.
Makes me want to try it with the goa....wife!
To the guy that posted about the fella steping on his fender and sliding off...about to 5 drops of this in a drink will cause lets just say possible incontenence" which will then require the need for additional Desitin with the same ingredient to help that diaper rash from the copiuos ammounts of passing solids!!! Great stuff ain it?

The third ingredient:

3-Water. This acts as a dilutor. Kind of like "filler" in cheap dog food but in liquid form.
Cant use the product undiluted.

The remaining butane, isobutane and propane are the propellants that assist in expelling or propelling the liquid product from the can. The methane is building under pressure and the propane, butane provides the ignition source. Kinda like putting your tounge on a 9v battery. You know you are gonna do it eventually when no one is looking. Try chewing aluminum foil!! Nah...dont do that either.

Other ingredients such as aromatic compound like orange, lemon or any other organic scent additive can also be incorporated.

Now with this little snippet of knowledge, how does one apply it to everyday living.
If Martha Stewart says that a prison panty liner work just as well as a microfibre cloth stop reading. If not..please bear with me for I am almost done.
Several products out there are costly for several reasons. 1 because of proprietary ingredients/raw materials, 2 advertising costs, supply and demand and product to market costs. What will the market bear? I have always compared ingredient when shopping. Silicone oil is silicone oil, Pepto Bismal, for the guy trying to stand on the fender coated with silicone oil is pink Bismuth...same thing!
Pink bismuth is MUCH cheaper.

I heard of a product called Plexus. A great cleaner and conditioner for Lexan. At $15.95 for a 13oz can versus an 18oz $4.99? can of Pledge? I have not bought or used Pledge and do not know the actual cost I am sure it is not even close to this other product.

In summary:

* Will not damage finish
* Will provide a nice shine
* Will not build up or layer
* Safe on windshield. No alcohol or amonia
* Safe on chrome
* Also has some (although not real good) anti corrosion properties. I use Boeshield T-9 for this application.

One precaution!! Flammable! Do not use around open flames or on hot pipes or other hot components. Do not get on or use on denim ar matted finishes!!

I would also highly recommend that a wet or water wash, or a soft wetted cloth, (I use warm clothes because the heat helps soften bug guts better than cold) be done or used first to remove surface debris and particulate from the soon to be applied to surface, fenders, gas tanks,side panels. This will reduce potential scratching of your paint.

Well, I hoped this helps. Like I said, I have never used "Pledge". But I have applied the same ingredients in Pledge (just under a different name...Maguires Wax) on my bikes not knowing it, and they have all looked great!

There are many good products designed for applications. Read the label and use. Most are very good.

"Surf City Garage" makes fantastic stuff. Give them a try. Special attention to leather / Vinyl protectant. Is this old enough for you Moderator?

I bought some 303 Products Aerospace Protectant from Car Care Products and love the stuff.:)

Me, too! After many, many years of using Armorall, I've switched to 303 Products Areospace for good. This was recommended by a high end detailer on a forum- he said he buys it buy the gallon and it's all he uses. Thought I'd try a small spray after reading that, and guess what- he's right. You won't find it at any automotive retailer that I'm aware of- you'll probably have to buy it online, and it costs more than Armorall. It's worth it. Why? Better looks: less glossy and less wet results- treated areas look more natural, and using it doesn't draw attention to itself, you could say.