To Armor-All, or Not to Armor-All?

HendyPhoto · September 17, 2003

I have heard so many bad things about Armor-All, but I find it hard to believe because I havn't had a problem. I use it in my truck and my brother said it's horrible and will crack your dash and ruin your leather. I really hope I havn't ruined my interior with it, but it looks so good when I use it! Any suggestions or experiences??

CMNTMXR81 · September 17, 2003

I used it or Formula 2001 for years. Never had any problems with them. I eventually stopped using them because I got tired of the magnetic dust attraction to it and along with the newer dash textures, I just got tired of it so I have not used it for awhile.

tmf6902 · September 17, 2003

I used to use it, but I didn't like the greasy mess it left behind, and I thought it attracted more dust after the intitial gloss was done with. I ususally clean it with something with orange oil in it. Makes the truck smell nice, makes the dash clean and shiney, and you can use it on your stearing wheel and not have it slip out of your hands....just my opinion though....never been the "wet look" kinda guy

HendyPhoto · September 17, 2003

Armor all has some leather wipes that dont make it too slippery or wet looking, just makes it a little shinier. They are in a round plastic can and they pull out like baby wipes. I really like them, but didnt want them to dry out the leather and make it crack like I have heard it does. The white milky looking armor-all that sprays on is WAYYYYYYYYY too glossy and slippery. You should try these wipes, I think you would like them, especailly now that we know they wont hurt the interior!!! (well, we hope)

01Burb · September 17, 2003

Dont use regular armoral on leather! Use a proper leather creme. I do use the armoral leather wipes occasionally but use Lexol for major cleanings. My Volvo dealer introduced me to it and it does a great job.

LARSONEM · September 17, 2003

I've been using some Amway leather cleaning product for the past few years that I won as a door prize somewhere. It does a really nice job. The seats feel really clean when you are done and have buffed them off.

THE BIGPUNN · September 17, 2003

when i use armor all i dilute it with warm water, it leaves a shinny, clean look without the magnet, gel, slippery mess. my girlfriends used to like sliding around the back seat though.

HendyPhoto · September 17, 2003

OHHH, I am sure!!! LOL

CMNTMXR81 · September 18, 2003

I've got a ton of those wipes.

And yea, for leather I use Eagle 1 stuff. I prefer to use the seperate cleaner and conditioner, but if worse comes to worse, I use the combined spray on cleaner/conditioner.

JimWilson · September 18, 2003

I agree with the others; Armor All, in general, is a pretty poor product, but it's really not good for leather at all.

BlackSilver · September 18, 2003

I have had very poor results from Armor-All products. Their active ingredients include petroleum based agents and that in and of itself spells trouble for leather.

For leather, use a product specifically designed only for leather, not a "general purpose" wipe which is designed for a variety of surfaces. My favorite brand is Lexol. It is reasonably priced, but seems to do an excellent job of keeping leather seats supple and does not attract soil like many products do.

Here's a link to their site: http://www.lexol.com/newauto.html

firecadet613 · September 18, 2003

I use Meguiars Gold Class leather cleaner/conditioner. Leaves the leather feeling soft and supple after I buff it off. For the dash I just wipe it down every other time I was my truck with a damp cloth.

Joe