When most people think about giving the interior of their cars a thorough cleaning, one of the first products that comes to mind is Armor All. Known for giving dashboards and other hard interior surfaces that new-car shine, Armor All has been a go-to product for DIY detailers for decades. But is it really all that good for your car’s surfaces?
Why You Should Avoid Using Armor All in Your Car
Times Have Changed
Armor All was introduced in 1972, and back then, vehicle interiors were a lot different from what we see today. The materials used – particularly the vinyl – have also come a long way with almost 50 years of scientific innovation. The chemical composition and manufacturing process have changed, and with them, the materials requirements. In the 70s, moisturizing the vinyl surfaces kept them supple and shiny, as long as you continued to use the products. Today’s dashboards do not need this.
Does It Cause Cracks?
The jury is still out on whether Armor All contributes directly to cracks in dashboard vinyl. There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence on both sides of the discussion. Some users swear by the stuff and have been using it for decades, while others avoid it like the plague. Some claim that once you start using the product, you’re stuck using it regularly because the cracks only begin once you stop.
There’s a bit of complex science to consider that involves polymers, thermoplastics, off-gassing, and the interaction with a solvent-based product like Armor All, but no direct scientific studies. There are also plenty of situations where the closest a vehicle has ever come into contact with Armor All was passing a store that sells it, yet significant dashboard cracks are present. Dashboards can crack with or without Armor All and it has a lot to do with heat, sunlight, UV rays, and chemical reactions.
Should You Use Armor All?
If you like that shiny look that Armor All gives your car, occasionally shining up your surfaces probably won’t cause long-term cracking and damage. That doesn’t mean that other conditions won’t cause cracking, but occasional Armor All likely won’t be the direct culprit. On the other hand, the residue that’s left behind that gives your dashboard that new-car look actually attracts dirt and dust. Those little particles will stick to the residue and you’ll end up having to clean your surfaces more often, and who wants to do that? Instead, a bit of vinegar diluted with a lot of water will get the job done, and the smooth, dry surface will stay cleaner for longer.
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