Is there a vinyl protectant that doesn't make everything look like it was rubbed down with mayonnaise? I just finally washed my car, and when I went to do the inside, I used Meguire's Gold Class Vinyl & Rubber Protectant. I'm not thrilled with how shiney it made the parts of the dash that have the extra pebbly texture. It looked like leather, and now it looks more plasticy.

I'm staying away from Armor All products because I've heard from too many people that it'll make the dash crack. I think that's unlikely, but I can't bring myself to approach my car with anything made by them now.

 

i have heard that with armor all once you start using it you have to keep using it or else there will be a greater chance of cracking then if you never started using it
again i can't verify this, it's only a rumor ive heard

 

I have also heard armor all makes the dash crack

CAN anyone really CONFIRM this???

 

For the interior vinyl/plastics I use Vinylex - great stuff and you can buff DOWN the shine. That's right you can buff it to reduce shine. For the exterior I use the Zaino rubber protectant, works pretty good. 303 aerospace works good too. My Girlfriend likes her tires real shiney so for her car I Use Mequiars endurance.

I don't know if Armor-all causes cracks, but the stuff is mostly water, and it is very greasy, plus it really doesn't smell all that good. It has been around about 30 years though. I stopped using it in the 80's - lol

 

What? 8,400 posts and you still haven't learned how to use the Search button?? just kidding

Check page 2 of the "Exterior Care" thread: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...3&page=2&pp=40 . I contacted ArmorAll re this matter and posted their response. In short, ArmorAll doesn't crack vinyl. I think.

To answer Ellar's question, as 6speed said, you could try 303 Aerospace, which you can get at marine/boat stores like West Marine, etc. It's a matted, not shiny, finish, and a lot of people on this site highly recommend it. I've personally never used it but, ironically, got their free sample package in the mail just today and plan on using it in the morning. You can get one, too, at http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=freesample .

I don't know if anyone has tried this product, but I noticed at Wal-Mart there is a generic-type version of 303 Aerospace, called Pro-Tec. In most Wal-Marts I've been in, it's in the aisle next to the car detailing aisle. Has anyone used this product before?

 

Thanks for the heads-up on 303, guys.

 

What's wrong with Meguiars' greasy look?
I love it.

 

Makes it look more like plastic to me.

 

Greasy reminds me of those mafia guys who slick there hair back.

I ordered some aerospace 303 last week and will try it out. I read it has good uv protection and will repost when I get feedback.

 

[B]I used Armor-All on previous car since 1991 and it's still look like a new dash ! None one crack eventhough my girlfriend stop doing it 2 years ago....I put it all over my RX8 and it's look great, a lot better and shinynier than the original look...Why do you think that stuff being on the market for so long ?

 

i use zaino leather protectant on all leather and plastic bits inside the car. It cleans everything off, makes it smell nice and isn't greasy.

 

I don't use any of that stuff at all. I clean the dash with a dry cloth. Think about it...dust is the only thing collecting. Simply wipe it. I hate the greasy look!!

- Irish

 

I don't know about the other products, but the zaino stuff has UV protectant in it.

 

Yup, SPF 40, and no gloss. I use it on all surfaces inside the 8 also.

 

Uh, that and sunlight that causes fading and cracking, more damaging than dust ever could be.

I also don't believe the negative Armor All hype at all, although I'm about to look into 303 Aerospace Protectant myself...

 

I dont like Armor All for 2 reasons....

The smell
The gloss

 

Thanks for the link to the 303 samples, markd. I just read this thread and ordered it already. Been wanting to try it. So it's a marine product? I suppose I can find it in Biloxi MS.

 

armor all doesn't crack vinyl. If it does, they wouldn't be around for so long or if they did, they would've reformulated their products to stay in business. Anyways, If you want a matte finish, try looking for #40 meguiars vinyl and rubber protectant. It's not greasy to touch and can be buffed down for a more matte finish. That's the only thing i use on my interior. I used to use vinylex from lexol but it's just to shiny for my taste. Now, i only used vinylex on my tires.

 

Welcome to the forum, RotrDoc.

303 is a general purpose protectant but seems to be sold only in marine stores. I did a search on their website for you. The sample pack took a while to get to me, so if you get impatient, there is a West Marine in Biloxi that sells 303. Hope it works out for you!

 

it smells good

 

I can't get enough of the greasy look. If you get your car professionally detailed, expect the greasy look inside! What I have been using is a leather vinyl renewer from Express Systems. It came in a homekit when I bought the leather care/300$ wax job for the car when it was new. Since then I have long but run out. Luckily for me, I contacted the company directly and worked out a deal to get more of the stuff. Not only is it protecting and prolonging my leather, it smells great like a new car. Smell is a big thing to consider also! Some of the leather products smell like a$$

 

Anybody try the NXT interior protector spray? I'm thinking of trying it...although I must say the last two times I've tried doing the inside with anything, I end up with it looking totally uneven regardless of how hard I try to wipe stuff in evenly. I end up going back in with soap and water just to get rid of that swirly uneven look.