Armor-All Will Kill Your Dash?

Cliff92Z · 04-23-2001, 08:57 PM

I've heard that Armor-All dash protectant is bad on vinyl. Over the course of some years, it melts away any leather graining that is on the vinyl, leaves a smooth and glossy surface, and if used too much it will eventually dry out the material it is applied to - it will cause cracking in dashes and tires over time. Anyone have these experiences? Or heard this to be true?Which dash protectant do you use?

------------------
1992 Z28 TPI.
160' stat, Accel 8mm, Accel Cap & Rotor,
Flowmaster, high-flo cat.
700R4, 3.73s HD Zexel Torsen

Rev · 04-23-2001, 09:14 PM

Have you seen this over time? Or maybe just heard this asserted? I've used these products for years now and have never seen this. I'm not an expert detailer though.

Rev

------------------
'66 Coupe, 306, 300 HP, C-4, 13.97 e.t., 100.3 mph
1/4 mi.

84_GT350 · 04-24-2001, 12:23 AM

I'm with Rev. I've never heard that (and don't know where it would come from), but I've always had good luck with Armor All.

------------------
1984 1/2 GT350 (#842 Hatchback w/ T-tops), 302HO, Comp cams Xtreme Energy cam, Carter 625cfm carb, Weiand Stealth intake, MSD distributor, MSD coil, FMS 9mm wires, 1 5/8" MAC unequal shorties, 2 1/2" MAC Prochamber H-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chambers, KYBs, 16"x8" 4 lug Cobra Rs, Falken 245/45ZR16s

HemiBoo · 04-24-2001, 01:21 AM

Armor-all? I've never heard that...that's all I use on vinyl and leather and such. My Dad has used it on his '87 truck since he got it in '88 and all his trim is still good. I have noticed that it does take out some of the texture but that maybe from aging. 14 years of use and no problems, my money is still on it!!

04-24-2001, 01:43 AM

I've heard the same thing as Cliff about Armor All, but i've never seen anything convincing me that it'll eat the vinyl. Although i've seen tire sidewalls that slowly dissintigrate with regular use of that tire shine stuff (softens the sidewall and chucks rip off when the tire gets curbed). I usually just use a good cleaner and it's still kinda shiny, but that armor all stuff sure is purdy.

04-24-2001, 04:14 AM

A Tip

Don't put Armor-All protectant on your steering-wheel!! It will make it almost impossible to get a good grip on the wheel

I tried it once just to see how slippery it would get and it's down-right slippery!

Hehe

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

Paxton Blown 87GT
ICQ#112698436

dinomite · 04-24-2001, 07:08 AM

The steering wheel is the obvious, they also tell you on the package not to put it on hte tire tread, shifter, or pedals; once you accidentaly put it on the wheel, you will never do it again. I had to find out about putting it on the brake rotors myself...............

Try Me · 04-24-2001, 11:15 AM

I use the stuff religiously.
since i got my 'vert almost 2 years ago, i gave it a twice a week dose.

I finally got around to giving it a spring cleaning a week ago, it was disgustingly filthy.
One wipe with a rag dampened with Armour All Ultra brought my dash looking like new again.. in fact it shined so much, i shaved in the car that morning

Armour all is good stuff.

Hethj7 · 04-24-2001, 11:25 AM

I use the stuff all the time, although I have heard the rumors about it too. But, like others, I have seen no ill effects of using it.

Cliff92Z · 04-24-2001, 12:39 PM

Thanks for the reply's. I've always used armor-all and had no problems with it but I recently heard about those flaws and wanted to know if they were true. There are a few members on the f-body boards that had those experiences. I know plenty of us use armor-all and if were bad, I wanted to let yall know. Personally, I'm gonna stick with armor-all unless there is true fact of it being a damage.

------------------
1992 Z28 TPI.
160' stat, Accel 8mm, Accel Cap & Rotor,
Flowmaster, high-flo cat.
700R4, 3.73s HD Zexel Torsen

btr · 04-24-2001, 03:51 PM

I used it a lot on a motorcycle seat and it sortof degraded the rubber. It would leave black on my pants. I had to recover the seat. Probably similar to the tire problem mentioned above. I have not had a problem with it on plastic or vinyl.

Ty'97Cobra · 04-24-2001, 06:22 PM

I've used it on the 88LX since I bought it new. No cracking or anything. It still looks good. And that includes many summers of driving with the top down.!!!!.

------------------
1997 Black Cobra Convertible. #2788 of 3088
Mostly Stock - Vortech Anyone?
1988 5.0 LX Convertible -Work Car...Few Mods.

04-24-2001, 10:50 PM

I wouldn't use it on leather.

Mad Horse · 04-24-2001, 11:35 PM

I've heard the same thing, except that it only applies to the original formula. Not sure if anything has changed ingredient wise to correct it or not.

I agree with rbatson. I would not use it on leather. Instead use a leather conditioning oil.

95mustanggt · 04-25-2001, 08:13 PM

The story that I have heard is that the conditioners used in the formula will dry out and crack the vinyl unless you continue to re-apply Armour all to add moisture.

I used to use it all the time, hence I had no problem as I was always moisturizing the vinyl. I have switched to STP Son of a Gun and I find it a much better product. One application a year keeps the dash looking shiny and new!

------------------
Driving: 1998 F-150
Far way in Edmonton==>

1995 Mustang GT

JANESLX50 · 04-25-2001, 08:31 PM

I've used it on our 90 LX (inside and outside) for the past 11 years and haven't seen a crack or fading yet. One of the best investments made was a dash cover. Yeah, it might look a little bit cheesy (it covers up the 25 year badge on the dash) but the interior looks brand new after enduring New Mexico and Texas summers I'm glad we have it.
Cheers.

dirtyGT · 04-25-2001, 11:33 PM

I have never heard that and i detail cars for a living.And the scary thing is they made me put it on pedals and steering wheels for a dealership! boy thats not asking for a wreck to happen.I reccomend not doing it.It's bad ok

------------------
P.M.D. PERFORMANCE
project BLACK DEATH 88GT

Moxie · 04-26-2001, 11:04 AM

Yuck. That stuff discolored the vinyl dash of my '86, after being used for years by the previous owner. I also saw a Vette that was leaking water at the door windows, because the owner put the Armor-All on the weatherstripping.

I stopped using anything that contains petroleum distillates. For the last few years, I have used Murphy's oil soap mixed into a bucket of warm water. It cleans and smells nice, without being too shiny or collecting 3 lbs. of dust on my dash. Someone told me that 303 Protectant used for tonneau covers is good for vinyl and plastic, but I haven't tried it yet.

------------------
Moxie Racing

The Nitrous Oxide Information Site

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04-23-2001, 08:57 PM	#1
Cliff92Z Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 13	Armor-All Will Kill Your Dash? I've heard that Armor-All dash protectant is bad on vinyl. Over the course of some years, it melts away any leather graining that is on the vinyl, leaves a smooth and glossy surface, and if used too much it will eventually dry out the material it is applied to - it will cause cracking in dashes and tires over time. Anyone have these experiences? Or heard this to be true?Which dash protectant do you use? ------------------ 1992 Z28 TPI. 160' stat, Accel 8mm, Accel Cap & Rotor, Flowmaster, high-flo cat. 700R4, 3.73s HD Zexel Torsen

04-23-2001, 09:14 PM	#2
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	Have you seen this over time? Or maybe just heard this asserted? I've used these products for years now and have never seen this. I'm not an expert detailer though. Rev ------------------ '66 Coupe, 306, 300 HP, C-4, 13.97 e.t., 100.3 mph 1/4 mi.

04-24-2001, 12:23 AM	#3
84_GT350 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Overland Park, KS, USA Posts: 1,631	I'm with Rev. I've never heard that (and don't know where it would come from), but I've always had good luck with Armor All. ------------------ 1984 1/2 GT350 (#842 Hatchback w/ T-tops), 302HO, Comp cams Xtreme Energy cam, Carter 625cfm carb, Weiand Stealth intake, MSD distributor, MSD coil, FMS 9mm wires, 1 5/8" MAC unequal shorties, 2 1/2" MAC Prochamber H-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chambers, KYBs, 16"x8" 4 lug Cobra Rs, Falken 245/45ZR16s

04-24-2001, 01:21 AM	#4
HemiBoo Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Columbia,SC, US of A Posts: 37	Armor-all? I've never heard that...that's all I use on vinyl and leather and such. My Dad has used it on his '87 truck since he got it in '88 and all his trim is still good. I have noticed that it does take out some of the texture but that maybe from aging. 14 years of use and no problems, my money is still on it!!

04-24-2001, 01:43 AM	#5
84stangLX Guest Posts: n/a	I've heard the same thing as Cliff about Armor All, but i've never seen anything convincing me that it'll eat the vinyl. Although i've seen tire sidewalls that slowly dissintigrate with regular use of that tire shine stuff (softens the sidewall and chucks rip off when the tire gets curbed). I usually just use a good cleaner and it's still kinda shiny, but that armor all stuff sure is purdy.

04-24-2001, 04:14 AM	#6
Mustanguy Guest Posts: n/a	A Tip Don't put Armor-All protectant on your steering-wheel!! It will make it almost impossible to get a good grip on the wheel I tried it once just to see how slippery it would get and it's down-right slippery! Hehe ------------------ Paxton Blown 87GT ICQ#112698436

04-24-2001, 07:08 AM	#7
dinomite The Dude Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,262	The steering wheel is the obvious, they also tell you on the package not to put it on hte tire tread, shifter, or pedals; once you accidentaly put it on the wheel, you will never do it again. I had to find out about putting it on the brake rotors myself...............

04-24-2001, 11:15 AM	#8
Try Me Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 465	I use the stuff religiously. since i got my 'vert almost 2 years ago, i gave it a twice a week dose. I finally got around to giving it a spring cleaning a week ago, it was disgustingly filthy. One wipe with a rag dampened with Armour All Ultra brought my dash looking like new again.. in fact it shined so much, i shaved in the car that morning Armour all is good stuff.

04-24-2001, 11:25 AM	#9
Hethj7 Mizzou Tigers Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: weston, MO United States Posts: 1,455	I use the stuff all the time, although I have heard the rumors about it too. But, like others, I have seen no ill effects of using it.

04-24-2001, 12:39 PM	#10
Cliff92Z Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 13	Thanks for the reply's. I've always used armor-all and had no problems with it but I recently heard about those flaws and wanted to know if they were true. There are a few members on the f-body boards that had those experiences. I know plenty of us use armor-all and if were bad, I wanted to let yall know. Personally, I'm gonna stick with armor-all unless there is true fact of it being a damage. ------------------ 1992 Z28 TPI. 160' stat, Accel 8mm, Accel Cap & Rotor, Flowmaster, high-flo cat. 700R4, 3.73s HD Zexel Torsen

04-24-2001, 03:51 PM	#11
btr Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Mandan, ND USA Posts: 184	I used it a lot on a motorcycle seat and it sortof degraded the rubber. It would leave black on my pants. I had to recover the seat. Probably similar to the tire problem mentioned above. I have not had a problem with it on plastic or vinyl.

04-24-2001, 06:22 PM	#12
Ty'97Cobra Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: NC Posts: 308	I've used it on the 88LX since I bought it new. No cracking or anything. It still looks good. And that includes many summers of driving with the top down.!!!!. ------------------ 1997 Black Cobra Convertible. #2788 of 3088 Mostly Stock - Vortech Anyone? 1988 5.0 LX Convertible -Work Car...Few Mods.

04-24-2001, 10:50 PM	#13
rbatson Guest Posts: n/a	I wouldn't use it on leather.

04-24-2001, 11:35 PM	#14
Mad Horse Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Dayton, OH., United States Posts: 467	I've heard the same thing, except that it only applies to the original formula. Not sure if anything has changed ingredient wise to correct it or not. I agree with rbatson. I would not use it on leather. Instead use a leather conditioning oil.

04-25-2001, 08:13 PM	#15
95mustanggt Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Kamloops, BC Posts: 2,875	The story that I have heard is that the conditioners used in the formula will dry out and crack the vinyl unless you continue to re-apply Armour all to add moisture. I used to use it all the time, hence I had no problem as I was always moisturizing the vinyl. I have switched to STP Son of a Gun and I find it a much better product. One application a year keeps the dash looking shiny and new! ------------------ Driving: 1998 F-150 Far way in Edmonton==> 1995 Mustang GT

04-25-2001, 08:31 PM	#16
JANESLX50 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 25	I've used it on our 90 LX (inside and outside) for the past 11 years and haven't seen a crack or fading yet. One of the best investments made was a dash cover. Yeah, it might look a little bit cheesy (it covers up the 25 year badge on the dash) but the interior looks brand new after enduring New Mexico and Texas summers I'm glad we have it. Cheers.

04-25-2001, 11:33 PM	#17
dirtyGT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: INDIANA Posts: 658	I have never heard that and i detail cars for a living.And the scary thing is they made me put it on pedals and steering wheels for a dealership! boy thats not asking for a wreck to happen.I reccomend not doing it.It's bad ok ------------------ P.M.D. PERFORMANCE project BLACK DEATH 88GT

04-26-2001, 11:04 AM	#18
Moxie Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Plymouth, MI Posts: 254	Yuck. That stuff discolored the vinyl dash of my '86, after being used for years by the previous owner. I also saw a Vette that was leaking water at the door windows, because the owner put the Armor-All on the weatherstripping. I stopped using anything that contains petroleum distillates. For the last few years, I have used Murphy's oil soap mixed into a bucket of warm water. It cleans and smells nice, without being too shiny or collecting 3 lbs. of dust on my dash. Someone told me that 303 Protectant used for tonneau covers is good for vinyl and plastic, but I haven't tried it yet. ------------------ Moxie Racing The Nitrous Oxide Information Site