Two manufacturers have told me that typical plastic "protectant" sprays like Armor-All these bleach the color from their plastics and cause more harm than good.
The Givi rep at Daytona was adamant about it; he looked at me like I was peeing in his flower bed when I started spraying some Mother's on new side-bags they'd just installed. Then he said their products would look better and last longer if I just washed them.
I coated my last bike with the stuff right after I got it. I did everything down to the hoses and cables with the stuff. I did notice over the years that as soon as the spray coating wore off, the plastic, especially the roto-molded plastic like the case shells, looked faded. Other parts like rubber hoses looked ok though.
As a test, I've decided not to use the stuff on the CB or my new Mini Cooper. If it starts looking really awful without it, I'll start using it again.
Has anyone else heard that these chemicals are more harm than good?
I have, but I heard Armor-all changed the formula to combat the problem. I do not know if that is true.
I know that Armor All is not good to use on tires. I have been told that it causes cracks in the side walls which I have seen firsthand but don't know how they got there.
The other thing I don't like is seeing Armor All used on the top of dashboards. They think they are doing you a favor at the car wash putting it on, but it only causes glare on the windshield and looks ridiculous. I tell them not to do it, but sometimes they do it anyway. You can remove it with rubbing alcohol because it is mostly wax. (I don't know what the ingredient is that causes problems on tires) I did use it successfully on fly line and it helped the line shoot through the guides very nicely. The line has not fallen apart...yet.
The only products I use on my bike are Simple Green and paper towel to clean heavy grim on the frames where necessary and Original Bike Spirits on bright and shinny surfaces. I am told OBS is the same formula as Pro Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish. And yes, I do the underside of my fenders, kick stand, forks, wheels, covers, everything is cleaned basically by hand in a detail fashion. But my bike is just a toy, it has never been wet or hosed on, and not used as a daily commuter where the cleanliness priorities would be a little different.
Meowguy,
I thought I had heard about the tire thing, but couldn't quite remember if I had or not...
I use 303 Aerospace Protectant on my plastic stuff, but there is most likely other stuff that is less expensive. But, due to an ordering error on my part, I have a lot of the 303.
The error--303 has a fabric waterproofer spray and I use that too. Ordered the protectant by mistake, but I like it and use it now.
I have always used Motul Shine and Go on all my black plastic . I used it on Givi stuff for years and it will not harm it at all.
It really makes plastic look good. You have make sure not to get it on seats or tires though. ATV people love it. They spray it under
the fenders to keep dirt from sticking and it makes the soft body plastic look great. It really smells good to--
It does not leave a film the way WD40 does.
(12-20-2013, 11:42 PM)The Spaceman_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Two manufacturers have told me that typical plastic "protectant" sprays like Armor-All these bleach the color from their plastics and cause more harm than good.
The Givi rep at Daytona was adamant about it; he looked at me like I was peeing in his flower bed when I started spraying some Mother's on new side-bags they'd just installed. Then he said their products would look better and last longer if I just washed them.
I coated my last bike with the stuff right after I got it. I did everything down to the hoses and cables with the stuff. I did notice over the years that as soon as the spray coating wore off, the plastic, especially the roto-molded plastic like the case shells, looked faded. Other parts like rubber hoses looked ok though.
As a test, I've decided not to use the stuff on the CB or my new Mini Cooper. If it starts looking really awful without it, I'll start using it again.
Has anyone else heard that these chemicals are more harm than good?
you don't need chemicals to protect the look of your bike/accessories. they do more harm than good. Most plastic products now incorporate "anti UV elements," a few micron chem dressing worn out quickly. All reside on the quality of parts to keep look new
Wax is no longer applicable on top of clear coat on paint, especially 2 parts poly-urethane, but it still sells due to marketing
(12-21-2013, 10:09 AM)cbdtran_imp Wrote: [ -> ] (12-20-2013, 11:42 PM)The Spaceman_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Two manufacturers have told me that typical plastic "protectant" sprays like Armor-All these bleach the color from their plastics and cause more harm than good.
The Givi rep at Daytona was adamant about it; he looked at me like I was peeing in his flower bed when I started spraying some Mother's on new side-bags they'd just installed. Then he said their products would look better and last longer if I just washed them.
I coated my last bike with the stuff right after I got it. I did everything down to the hoses and cables with the stuff. I did notice over the years that as soon as the spray coating wore off, the plastic, especially the roto-molded plastic like the case shells, looked faded. Other parts like rubber hoses looked ok though.
As a test, I've decided not to use the stuff on the CB or my new Mini Cooper. If it starts looking really awful without it, I'll start using it again.
Has anyone else heard that these chemicals are more harm than good?
you don't need chemicals to protect the look of your bike/accessories. they do more harm than good. Most plastic products now incorporate "anti UV elements," a few micron chem dressing worn out quickly. All reside on the quality of parts to keep look new
Wax is no longer applicable on top of clear coat on paint, especially 2 parts poly-urethane, but it still sells due to marketing
you don't need chemicals to protect the look of your bike/accessories. they do more harm than good. Most plastic products now incorporate "anti UV elements," a few micron chem dressing worn out quickly. All reside on the quality of parts to keep look new
Wax is no longer applicable on top of clear coat on paint, especially 2 parts poly-urethane, but it still sells due to marketing
I just picked up a can of ACF-50 from Amazon. This is widely used in avionics and I read of uses on bikes in Europe where the conditions are harsher. Look it up. Great stuff.
(12-21-2013, 10:09 AM)cbdtran_imp Wrote: [ -> ] (12-20-2013, 11:42 PM)The Spaceman_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Two manufacturers have told me that typical plastic "protectant" sprays like Armor-All these bleach the color from their plastics and cause more harm than good.
The Givi rep at Daytona was adamant about it; he looked at me like I was peeing in his flower bed when I started spraying some Mother's on new side-bags they'd just installed. Then he said their products would look better and last longer if I just washed them.
I coated my last bike with the stuff right after I got it. I did everything down to the hoses and cables with the stuff. I did notice over the years that as soon as the spray coating wore off, the plastic, especially the roto-molded plastic like the case shells, looked faded. Other parts like rubber hoses looked ok though.
As a test, I've decided not to use the stuff on the CB or my new Mini Cooper. If it starts looking really awful without it, I'll start using it again.
Has anyone else heard that these chemicals are more harm than good?
you don't need chemicals to protect the look of your bike/accessories. they do more harm than good. Most plastic products now incorporate "anti UV elements," a few micron chem dressing worn out quickly. All reside on the quality of parts to keep look new
Wax is no longer applicable on top of clear coat on paint, especially 2 parts poly-urethane, but it still sells due to marketing
FWIW I bought a new car in 2000. It's never been waxed. It's never been garaged but has been kept outdoors under a cover. The paint looks as good as the day I took it home, minus the few inevitable minor scratches from parking.
(12-21-2013, 01:57 PM)furious_blue_imp Wrote: [ -> ] (12-21-2013, 10:09 AM)cbdtran_imp Wrote: [ -> ] (12-20-2013, 11:42 PM)The Spaceman_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Two manufacturers have told me that typical plastic "protectant" sprays like Armor-All these bleach the color from their plastics and cause more harm than good.
The Givi rep at Daytona was adamant about it; he looked at me like I was peeing in his flower bed when I started spraying some Mother's on new side-bags they'd just installed. Then he said their products would look better and last longer if I just washed them.
I coated my last bike with the stuff right after I got it. I did everything down to the hoses and cables with the stuff. I did notice over the years that as soon as the spray coating wore off, the plastic, especially the roto-molded plastic like the case shells, looked faded. Other parts like rubber hoses looked ok though.
As a test, I've decided not to use the stuff on the CB or my new Mini Cooper. If it starts looking really awful without it, I'll start using it again.
Has anyone else heard that these chemicals are more harm than good?
you don't need chemicals to protect the look of your bike/accessories. they do more harm than good. Most plastic products now incorporate "anti UV elements," a few micron chem dressing worn out quickly. All reside on the quality of parts to keep look new
Wax is no longer applicable on top of clear coat on paint, especially 2 parts poly-urethane, but it still sells due to marketing
FWIW I bought a new car in 2000. It's never been waxed. It's never been garaged but has been kept outdoors under a cover. The paint looks as good as the day I took it home, minus the few inevitable minor scratches from parking.
FWIW I bought a new car in 2000. It's never been waxed. It's never been garaged but has been kept outdoors under a cover. The paint looks as good as the day I took it home, minus the few inevitable minor scratches from parking.
This is the third or fourth time I've heard that clear-coated cars don't need wax. The problem is: I've seen lots of newer cars with the clear coat gone and faded paint remaining. FL does have pretty brutal sun; maybe other areas aren't as hard on the finish. I'll keep waxing my bikes and cars regardless. I like the way they look when waxed, and the wax makes it a lot easier to wash off love-bugs and other crap.
I'm about to peel off my first attempt at using 3M Defender spray. After a few months it looks like crap. I still have a full can and about 1/3 can, so I'll try again and see if a heavier coat works better.
(12-22-2013, 11:42 AM)The Spaceman_imp Wrote: [ -> ] (12-21-2013, 01:57 PM)furious_blue_imp Wrote: [ -> ] (12-21-2013, 10:09 AM)cbdtran_imp Wrote: [ -> ] (12-20-2013, 11:42 PM)The Spaceman_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Two manufacturers have told me that typical plastic "protectant" sprays like Armor-All these bleach the color from their plastics and cause more harm than good.
The Givi rep at Daytona was adamant about it; he looked at me like I was peeing in his flower bed when I started spraying some Mother's on new side-bags they'd just installed. Then he said their products would look better and last longer if I just washed them.
I coated my last bike with the stuff right after I got it. I did everything down to the hoses and cables with the stuff. I did notice over the years that as soon as the spray coating wore off, the plastic, especially the roto-molded plastic like the case shells, looked faded. Other parts like rubber hoses looked ok though.
As a test, I've decided not to use the stuff on the CB or my new Mini Cooper. If it starts looking really awful without it, I'll start using it again.
Has anyone else heard that these chemicals are more harm than good?
you don't need chemicals to protect the look of your bike/accessories. they do more harm than good. Most plastic products now incorporate "anti UV elements," a few micron chem dressing worn out quickly. All reside on the quality of parts to keep look new
Wax is no longer applicable on top of clear coat on paint, especially 2 parts poly-urethane, but it still sells due to marketing
FWIW I bought a new car in 2000. It's never been waxed. It's never been garaged but has been kept outdoors under a cover. The paint looks as good as the day I took it home, minus the few inevitable minor scratches from parking.
FWIW I bought a new car in 2000. It's never been waxed. It's never been garaged but has been kept outdoors under a cover. The paint looks as good as the day I took it home, minus the few inevitable minor scratches from parking.
This is the third or fourth time I've heard that clear-coated cars don't need wax. The problem is: I've seen lots of newer cars with the clear coat gone and faded paint remaining. FL does have pretty brutal sun; maybe other areas aren't as hard on the finish. I'll keep waxing my bikes and cars regardless. I like the way they look when waxed, and the wax makes it a lot easier to wash off love-bugs and other crap.
I'm about to peel off my first attempt at using 3M Defender spray. After a few months it looks like crap. I still have a full can and about 1/3 can, so I'll try again and see if a heavier coat works better.
FWIW I bought a new car in 2000. It's never been waxed. It's never been garaged but has been kept outdoors under a cover. The paint looks as good as the day I took it home, minus the few inevitable minor scratches from parking.
This is the third or fourth time I've heard that clear-coated cars don't need wax. The problem is: I've seen lots of newer cars with the clear coat gone and faded paint remaining. FL does have pretty brutal sun; maybe other areas aren't as hard on the finish. I'll keep waxing my bikes and cars regardless. I like the way they look when waxed, and the wax makes it a lot easier to wash off love-bugs and other crap.
I'm about to peel off my first attempt at using 3M Defender spray. After a few months it looks like crap. I still have a full can and about 1/3 can, so I'll try again and see if a heavier coat works better. Car manufacters don't want car owners ruining finishes on new cars by improperly attempting to wax it themselves. Clear coated cars need to be properly washed and correctly given a clay bar treatment before even thinking of waxing or polishing it. Amateur owners simply don't know the proper steps and technique to wax a car correctly. Plus the dealer can charge for a professional detail by a trained tech.
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