Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Body/Appearance/Interior => Topic started by: mikeinnj on March 18, 2006, 11:46:32 PM

Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: mikeinnj on March 18, 2006, 11:46:32 PM
Hey, I want to get a nice protective coating and shine on my leather interior. I was thinking of using Armor All, but my uncle said not to since it's gonna leave a gooeylike finish. What are some alternatives to make my leather shine? I'm going shopping tomorrow and would like to know what you guys use! Thanks!
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: thesoldan on March 19, 2006, 12:07:19 AM
I use Armor All leather wipes.  It makes my seats shine quite nicely.  They are slick once you are done, not gooey.  I think a bottle of the wipes is like $4.  They sell it cheaper in the spray bottle, but I keep the wipes in the back seat so I can wipe the seats down anytime and don't need paper towels.
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: mikeinnj on March 19, 2006, 12:15:08 AM
Cool! Thanks, I'll have to pick some up tomorrow. I'm also looking to get some tire shine. I want to get a nice deep black shine. Right now I'm planning on getting the Turtle Wax Tire Shine. Any suggestions? Thanks again!
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: thesoldan on March 19, 2006, 12:35:26 AM
I think I used Meguiars or something like that.  I can't remember.  Whatever brand you get, just make sure you get the gel / wipe on kind instead of the spray on.  Also get a wheel cleaner and a small brush.  Those turbines are soooo hard to keep clean.  And the spray on spray off clean claims aren't true.  Only elbow grease will keep those babies clean.  I checked out your cardomain, looks great man.
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: SLEEPER T-BIRD 87 on March 19, 2006, 02:45:52 AM
All leather type cleaners/protectants shouldnt leave a greasy feeling.

armorall makes a nice product either in wipes or in a bottle.

tanners perserve is another

meguires  also makes a high quality product.
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: 87badbird2613 on March 19, 2006, 03:00:54 AM
if you have ever heard of ardex?  there product called leather perfect  is the best product ever made for leather
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: mikeinnj on March 19, 2006, 08:44:02 AM
Thanks alot for all your help!! I'm goin to the store in a little bit, I'll let you know how everything goes. I'll try to get some pics posted tonight! Thanks again! :D
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: softtouch on March 19, 2006, 10:23:55 AM
I had a '53 Buick convertable with leather seats. I polished up the leather one day. The next time I made a left turn my ass was on the passengers side of the seat and I was hanging on the steering wheel for dear life. I had to wear my sticky pants after that.
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: Tbird232ci on March 19, 2006, 11:02:06 AM
Spend the money and go with Meguires products.

Armor All is known to have alcohol in it, which can dry out your leather or plastics.
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: mikeinnj on March 19, 2006, 11:06:10 AM
It's funny that you advocate Meguires... because I just bought every one of the Meguires products that Pepboys has... I spent about $60! Well, I'm gonna go outside now and get to cleanin! Thanks everyone!
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: Tbird232ci on March 19, 2006, 11:35:40 AM
Youll spend some money, but its well worth it.
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: 5.0willgo on March 19, 2006, 12:11:08 PM
Definitely go with the Meguiars over the Armor All. It's a much better product and it lasts longer. Have anyone tried the Meguires leather wipes? I usually use the liquid stuff. You know using the wax-on wax-off method. I've been leary of the wipes.

Another great product from them is the Meguiars interior dash trim foam. That stuff is much better than the Armor All in that it makes everything look more natural and it really lasts a long time as well.
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: mikeinnj on March 19, 2006, 05:05:43 PM
I did pick up the dash trim stuff... probably my favorite product of theirs that I got! Made the whole inside of the car smell nice too! Anyone else notice that the tire gel smells EXACTLY like grape Diamatap?? Well, it sure don't taste the same! :hick:  lol The car looks and smells GREAT. :D  Now, I just gotta find my digital camera.. :dunno:
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: Master_xzavior on March 21, 2006, 04:55:30 PM
I've been noticing alot lately that the armor all products last for about a day or two here and then its back to how it was before I did anything. the last thing I used that I liked was a 3 step wax product dont remember if it was Mequiars or Mothers though that stuff lasted for the better part of the year. First time I got gas after I waxed the car I went to sit on the side of the car on the trunk and slid off the back. Felt like an Ass luckily Caseys wasn't that busy. The shine lasted quite awhile after even with the fact of using gravel roads. All I had to do was wash it and it looked new again. So in my experience any product made by Mother's or Mequiars is going to outshine and outlast armor any day of the week. Armor all would be great for like if you're putting your car in a car show and need a real quick shine that doesn't need to last for days.
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: mikeinnj on March 21, 2006, 07:45:26 PM
Yeah, the Meguires tire gel still looks like I just put it on. I put it on Sunday and have since gone about 250 miles and it still looks  good!
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: SLEEPER T-BIRD 87 on March 21, 2006, 09:07:57 PM
Quote from: mikeinnj
Yeah, the Meguires tire gel still looks like I just put it on. I put it on Sunday and have since gone about 250 miles and it still looks  good!



it usually last about 2 weeks on mine unless i drive through a mudhole...then i just wipe the tires off and still have the shine:D


I love the stuff ive had the same bottle for a couple years:tg:
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: stuntmannick on March 21, 2006, 09:40:02 PM
You could also try Turtle Wax 2001, works great on just about everything and shines for a long time, and doesn't dry shiznit out like Armor All.
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: cougarcragar on March 21, 2006, 10:07:31 PM
Armor All certainly isn't the best product out there.
I've used the Meguiar's leather wipes; they seem to work very well.
I would suggest that you do not use normal Armor All protectant on your leather. Use a product that's designed for leather.
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: 88cougarxr7 on March 23, 2006, 11:01:35 PM
use some son-of-a-gun, that stuff works for everything, i love it...
Title: Armor All Alternative?
Post by: pro-five-oh on March 24, 2006, 02:33:49 AM
I either use Obenauf's leather oil or baby oil if I don't wanna waste the Obenaufs. 

Remember leather is a natural material...anything you put on there should be comfortable on your skin too.  Stay away from anything with a lot of petroleum distillates.