Armor All causing damage?

[Granddaddy Marq]

First of all I am forbidden to post work pictures on line. So that means no pictures of this little issue. About this time last year my company bought a Cat 992 loader. It's a big bad tough piece of equipment that has served us well. The issue is with the plastic interior, it's cracking, braking, and falling apart. The first piece was the dash where the key goes. Catipliler didn't bat an eye. They came out took some pictures, ordered the part, came back and replaced it, no problem. Not long after that we noticed other pieces cracked and broken. Then the key broke out again. Now Cat thinks we're abusing the thing or our lots too rough or the cab mounts aren't the right ones, blah blah blah. I talked to my inside guy at Cat, he said he couldn't find anything about this problem any where in Cat's network. A trainer for Cat came by to check in on us and we mentioned the problem to him. He hadn't heard of any problems like this either. About 2 months later we get a call "They're come to pick the Cat up use the back up loader." They took it to the dealer replaced the interior and then said, "It's the plastic compound the interior's made out of, and Armor Alling it cause it to deteriorate." Don't use Armor All, or window cleaner on it. I have never heard of this before and just don't think this is even possible. I though Armor All and those type of products had the opposite effect on plastic.

[stevengerard]

I have heard that before about Armor-All and other compounds as well, especially on parts that get direct sun, but I don't know if it is true or not.

[BAD MERC]

Not a fan of Armor All. I use strictly professional wash/wax/detail products and always heard that silicone based dressings should be used. Logic would dictate that petroleum based cleaners/dressings would interact with plastic & rubber and UV exposure would be detrimental. This sounds logical because I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[larryo340]

I used to use Armor-all back in the 80s and started seeing the damage it was doing which is exactly what you were describing. I've seen vinyl tops and dashboards dry out and crack badly. Once I figured out what caused it I never used it again. I'm actually surprised that it's still around.

[martyo]

Armor All is garbage.

[1Marauder]

Yes, AA is bad, don't use it. It caused premature aging and actually Drys products out.

[Granddaddy Marq]

Ok then, what do y'all us? Marty I've seen your cars and the cars that come out of your shop. I'm listening to want you have to say.

[sailsmen]

Aerospace 303

I heard the same thing about AA many years ago.

[martyo]

Ok then, what do y'all us? Marty I've seen your cars and the cars that come out of your shop. I'm listening to want you have to say.

You're pulling the solvents out if the plastic. If try Vinylex.

[larryo340]

Ok then, what do y'all us? Marty I've seen your cars and the cars that come out of your shop. I'm listening to want you have to say.

I like the natural look as it came from the factory...I don't use any "shine" product on the interior, only the tires. I use Lexol cleaner and protectant on the leather seats. Having a shiny dashboard and the sun reflecting it into the windshield is another reason not to use anything on dash IMHO.

[71cyclone]

I used to use Armor-all back in the 80s and started seeing the damage it was doing which is exactly what you were describing. I've seen vinyl tops and dashboards dry out and crack badly. Once I figured out what caused it I never used it again. I'm actually surprised that it's still around.
I also witnessed this problem ,while at Ford. The wash rack crew stopped using it and switched to "pro automotive supply "products [don't know if they are still around}.