Armorall

Damon · Aug 23, 2003

I just used 303 for the first time- WOW! This stuff is the best protectant I've ever seen! natural sheen, repels dust, and has no sticky or tacky feel. Wipe it on, and your done.

(kind of expensive, though...)

4DSC · Aug 23, 2003

Original Armor All is safe these days.

Like 303, Vinylex, and all the other "good" products out there, it's now a water based PDMS product that doesn't have any petroleum distillates and is a milky-looking liquid. If you're not sure, check the back for mention of "petroleum distillates" or "stoddard solvent" (I think these are manditory) or crack it open and take a sniff and peek. It should look like diluted milk and shouldn't have a "solventy" smell.

The products you really should avoid is that clear, colourless Ultra Insta-Blind Mega Shine stuff because (besides looking insane

) it's disolved in petroleum distillates, which most people seem to agree would be bad for vinyl and rubber in the long run.

Years and years ago, Armor All DID contain bad ingredients. Either migratory silicones or petroleum distillates, or both. Dashes cracked, seats tore, and to this day they are STILL paying the price for this - especially from the older people you speak to. I personally don't think they'll ever live down the stigma and reputation they have short of changing their name.

HammerDown · Aug 25, 2003

I've been using Armorall on my 1988 Ford Truck and 81 Corvette since I bought them new...I've never seen any of these so called negative side effects such as cracking, peeling, fadeing etc...the dash on my truck and rear vinyl bench seat look new as dose the weather striping and the tires and rubber trim also look great.
I did just have all new seats done in my Boat...and just started using 303 protectant on them...pretty good stuff!

digitaldrifter91 · Aug 25, 2003

if u leave it there for a while, it will show trust me. it cracked the leather seats in my 300zx 86. but if it works for ya, i cant do ne thing -) hahah

HammerDown · Aug 26, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by digitaldrifter91:
if u leave it there for a while, it will show trust me. it cracked the leather seats in my 300zx 86. but if it works for ya, i cant do ne thing -) hahah

"If I leave it there for a while"...22 years with my Vette and 15 years with my Truck...how much longer am I supposed to wait for something bad to happen...lol
PS. ANY Leather Seats will crack...it's the nature of the Beast. Ya sure there wasent (Pleather) in that Ricer...lol

digitaldrifter91 · Aug 26, 2003

lol no not pleather...special edition seats.

they were fine untill i let some armorall dry up...then they started to crack...yet some leave it on and keep putting it on...and its fine.

i like the genuine leather feel...not plastic =) now thats pleather.

Dave H · Aug 30, 2003

harbor,

I've tried the Meguiar's Natural Shine, and still use it in my engine bay (diluted 50/50 with water). Leaves everything looking new, without a greasy, plastic type shine that only attracts dust. I've used it on my dash, trim, and tires, but it has a bit too much shine for my tastes on those surfaces. It's not nearly as shiny as some others, but I prefer a matte finish on my dash like I get with 303 (I used Vinylex, also, which is in between 303 and Natural Shine in the shine department). All 3 of the above products are good, it just comes down to personal preference. 303 and Vinylex make tires look outstanding, too!
I get 303 Protectant from a local RV center. Boat shops sometimes carry it, too. It is more expensive than others, but I feel the results are worth it.

Dave

theguru · Aug 31, 2003

Thanks DavoNF for the info on 303. I have used it some time ago and found its low sheen to be just right. Unfortunately haven't been able to find it anywhere since. Have used the Meguairs Wipes as a substitute but find it way to shiney/greasy for my taste. Similar to Armorall, although I have not used Armoral for a long time due to it reputation for cracking dashes.

Will give the 303 people a call tomorrow and see where I can get the stuff.

HammerDown · Sep 2, 2003

Most any Boat/Marine store has 303 products.

PS. Armorall has never cracked anything I've used it on...for over 20 years!

jeepzj · Sep 2, 2003

http://www.premiumautocare.com/303products.html

Steve S · Sep 2, 2003

Be gentle ,For the past 7 years I have been using Black Magic tire shiney stuff ,it smells like cherry and lasts about 6 months to a year .I don't know if its bad for the vinyl but it works great so far.

Chris B. · Sep 2, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by Steve S:
Be gentle ,For the past 7 years I have been using Black Magic tire shiney stuff ,it smells like cherry and lasts about 6 months to a year .I don't know if its bad for the vinyl but it works great so far.

Does it collect dust at all?

Gebo · Sep 7, 2003

303 for dash and interior vinyl and even for tires if you don't want they super glossy sheen. Vinylx is good, too. It has more shine though. Since 303 is expensive, I use it on the inside and the Vinylx on the outside.

AND>>>>you have got to get some microfiber towels. No person "worth their salt" would do any detailing without microfiber.

Steve S · Sep 7, 2003

Chris B. the inside dust seems about the same as any other stuff I tried.

badnews · Sep 9, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by 4DSC:
Original Armor All is safe these days.

Like 303, Vinylex, and all the other "good" products out there, it's now a water based PDMS product that doesn't have any petroleum distillates and is a milky-looking liquid. If you're not sure, check the back for mention of "petroleum distillates" or "stoddard solvent" (I think these are manditory) or crack it open and take a sniff and peek. It should look like diluted milk and shouldn't have a "solventy" smell.

The products you really should avoid is that clear, colourless Ultra Insta-Blind Mega Shine stuff because (besides looking insane

) it's disolved in petroleum distillates, which most people seem to agree would be bad for vinyl and rubber in the long run.

Years and years ago, Armor All DID contain bad ingredients. Either migratory silicones or petroleum distillates, or both. Dashes cracked, seats tore, and to this day they are STILL paying the price for this - especially from the older people you speak to. I personally don't think they'll ever live down the stigma and reputation they have short of changing their name.

I think you are right, I contacted the company and they said it is a water based product and will not repair something in bad condition, however will retard or stop any damage from UV occuring. It is cheaper than 303 and that is a big plus. I belive it is safe, and I am using it I feel this is a internet rumor that just speads, and spreads.

badnews · Sep 9, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by Steve S:
Be gentle ,For the past 7 years I have been using Black Magic tire shiney stuff ,it smells like cherry and lasts about 6 months to a year .I don't know if its bad for the vinyl but it works great so far.

Interesting.

Quattro Pete · Sep 25, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by harbor:
Has anyone tried Meguiar's Natural Shine?

Yup, I used it for some time on my interior, but then I noticed it was creating a lot of off-gassing that would settle on the windshield and fog up the view. Then I switched to Vinylex, but found it too shiny. Then someone on AudiWorld recommended HarlyPoly Guard, and so far this thing has been awesome. Not too much shine, no off-gassing, and great dust-repelling abilities. I've also heard a lot of good about the 303 but haven't tried it yet.

quote:

The Armorall tire treatment has got to be the worst. How do they stay in business?

Marketing, lot's of marketing.

theguru · Sep 25, 2003

I've used the Meguiars wipes and find them too oily and attract heaps of dust. Finally found the 303 I had used some time ago in the stores and it is low shine and doesn't appear to attract any dust. Give it a try.

day1si · Oct 21, 2003

http://www.herc.org/library/msds/armorall1.htm
MSDS for Armor All
First ingredient is water.
No petroleum distillates, only silicon emulsion.

I use Armor All and Vinylex. Vinylex is from the makers of Lexol, and is good stuff. Although I only use it on occasion because it off gasses pretty bad. After a week the windshield has a nice even coating of film.

I have also used the Mequires and I didn't like it that much, it also off gassed pretty bad.

The anti-Armor All campaign is a very unsubstantiated one. Anyone that has ever persisted I not use Armor All has had no facts or evidence to back it up.
Although as stated previously I do think at one time it did contain petroleum distillates.

4DSC · Oct 21, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by day1si:
http://www.herc.org/library/msds/armorall1.htm
MSDS for Armor All
First ingredient is water.
No petroleum distillates, only silicon emulsion.

I use Armor All and Vinylex. Vinylex is from the makers of Lexol, and is good stuff. Although I only use it on occasion because it off gasses pretty bad. After a week the windshield has a nice even coating of film.

I have also used the Mequires and I didn't like it that much, it also off gassed pretty bad.

The anti-Armor All campaign is a very unsubstantiated one. Anyone that has ever persisted I not use Armor All has had no facts or evidence to back it up.
Although as stated previously I do think at one time it did contain petroleum distillates.

Thank you for posting this.

This MSDS is also nearly 10 years old! As I've maintained, Armor All hasn't had PDs in them for a long time. I have a bottle of that stuff (somewhere) from a couple years before that time and it's definitely water based as well.

Just remember though that if you see a protectant/dressing product that is clear and colourless, it DOES contain petroleum distillates, regardless of brand.

Armorall

Similar threads