Detail question

[Gitanesteel]

I'm curious what products folks are using to 1) protect vinyl on their cars - i.e. vinyl top without it being real shiny (ArmorAll) and 2) to preserve them from UV rays.

Similar question for tires.

[SmithKid]

I'm currently using Meguiars Hot Shine, which has very little shine to it after it is applied. However I saw a friend (MOPAR Guy) use another product by Mother's that leaves the tire flat black. I believe it was Mother's Back to Black Tire Renew.

[Luva65wagon]

I've been using a Low Shine version of ArmorAll, but danged if I can find it anymore. Seems to be off the market. I'm running very low on it and have looked the past few weeks - everywhere I go - to see if I can find it. Nada. I just looked on Amazon and even they don't show it. I use it on my Ranchero (vinyl roof) and the bed cover.

I guess I'll be looking for the same answer as you soon because I do not like the glossy shine most other protectants offer.

[Gitanesteel]

Thanks. I can deal with the glossy look on the tires but want to avoid the glossy look on the vinyl top. I used to think that was cool when I was in my teens and early 20's but not anymore for the top.

Stopped by O'Reilly's on the way home from my appointment today - that's a dizzying array of product on the shelf just for detail items.

[Luva65wagon]

I prefer just a hint of shine. I'll have to look into some of the stuff Gene mentioned.

I once had something done, can't remember where, but they put some tire shine on my tires afterwards. This stuff was like wax mixed with oil. Terrible stuff. It flung up onto my paint and everywhere within reach. I had to actually use lacquer thinner to clean it off all my tires. Took me nearly an hour per tire to get it all off and had to cleaner/wax the car. I think it had to be a no-wipe product of some sort. Since then I've made sure nobody adds tire shine to my tires.

:doh:

[Gitanesteel]

So I decided to try a test. I stopped by O'Reilly's yesterday and picked up a can of Griots Black Shine tire and trim coating. I also had an old bottle of Meguiar's Gold Class High Gloss tire gel.

Griots directions say if you want a low shine to only leave the spray on the tire for 20 seconds or so. I figured that Meguiars was probably the same situation.

The photos aren't great but Meguiars is on the left and Griots on the right. This is after 2-3 minutes of sitting after wiping the tire off. Both are fairly dull with the exception of the grid pattern on the tire.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m191/scozim/SAM_0001_1.jpg (http://s104.photobucket.com/user/scozim/media/SAM_0001_1.jpg.html)

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m191/scozim/SAM_0002.jpg (http://s104.photobucket.com/user/scozim/media/SAM_0002.jpg.html)

[dhbfaster]

I have used 303 aerospace protectant on vinyl...works great on boat vinyl anyway. It really does seem to protect vinyl from uv.
Careful with Armorall, tests have shown it can be pretty harsh. We replicated results at work on interior truck parts.
I always clean my tires with a Brillo pad...a little work, but looks great and looks more natural than anything else...

[Luva65wagon]

... a Brillo pad...

But what about my fragile and delicate fingers? Can't see using that on my vinyl roof either. Gonna investigate 303... never heard of it.

I've heard for years rumors about ArmorAll, but never anything substantiated. What does it do in your testing?

[dhbfaster]

Yea, you may want gloves when you use that brillo pad on your tires Roger...
Especially with those delegate hands of yours. And definitely only use those on tires and not on anything else!
:ROTFLMAO::ROTFLMAO:
When we tested armor all at work it was on polycarbonate (pc). It was tested in a qsun brand uv test chamber for several months.
It caused more yellowing over time and generally more surface degradation and sort of etching. Not just a little, but a lot. Other products did the same thing, but not as bad. Keep in mind, results on other materials may be totally different.
But the real lesson was, just clean with a little really mild soap and water and the plastic lasted the longest. Also, be careful using any window cleaners, or any natural cleaners that contain ester on plastic. Definitely don't use brake fluid to clean plastic! (Yes, people do that...just go to YouTube, but don't do it! Dot3 is ester based.)

[Ferari]

So little brother (to gitanesteel) will pipe in here on Scott's original question. I am a Griot's supporter and use their long lasting tire gel. Haven't tried their newest product (that Scott used). I use it not only on my tires but also for the plastic trim on my newer vehicles as it lasts longer and doesn't spray the sides of the vehicles.

As for vinyl application - I used it on our Dad's tonneau cover several years ago and he said that it lasted longer than other products he'd used. It may work on your nice white top but not sure, we'd have to give it a try.

[Luva65wagon]

I like Griot's stuff as well (own both of their polishers now - 6" and 3") and will have to look into this since I'm low on anything else. The Ranchero is looking a bit ratty.