"Burnt@ut" <Burnt@ut.net> wrote in message
news:2006041212585575249-Burnt@utnet...
> On 2006-04-11 13:24:49 -0500, "Michael Pardee"
> <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> said:
>
>> "angel56" <angelstar@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:stnn325ao1tsj576la432flc0j6sn4vptr@4ax.com...
>>> I used to use armor all for my civic, do you guys use anything
>>> different? I have the new TL
>>>
>>> angel56
>> It may not apply to Hondas, but Volvo owners found that Armor All caused
>> dash cracking, at least for Volvos made in the '80s. It isn't clear
>> whether that extended into later years or other makes. Our '85 was Armor
>> All'd by the dealer when we bought it used, and the dash has dozens of
>> cracks. Owners of similar years who never used Armor All report no
>> cracking.
>
> volvo dashes of that era all cracked no matter what you did to them.
> Probably still do.
This has been kicked around on alt.autos.volvo a few times - it seems the
only people with cracked dashes are the ones who have used Armor All at
least once or those who don't know. I've seen quite a few '80s Volvos with
intact dashes, and none with just one or two cracks. Our courier at work
lives in Phoenix, as our Volvo did for the first 15 years, and his '89 dash
is uncracked. (Disclaimer: Volvo made major changes in 1988, and that
included materials like wire insulation.)

It isn't what you'd call a thorough study, but I sure wouldn't use Armor All
on vinyl. The risk just isn't justified. Some people have reported using it
long term without ill effects, so I suspect some dashes do just fine with
it. Others have reported in car fora that they had no trouble with cracking
until they quit using Armor All. It just seems like a high risk, low benefit
gamble with uncertain odds. To each their own, but I don't buy lottery
tickets either.

Mike