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| Vinyl Care |
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Vinyl is the carefully prepared
hide of virgin pampered Arctic Naugas. Many Naugas must die to furnish
enough material for just one interior panel (Just kidding). The dash, door
panels, seat backs and numerous other interior/exterior trim pieces are
usually vinyl. Vinyl may be viewed as raw semi-liquid vinyls that are held
in place by a solid vinyl "skin" (this description is for illustration
only and not a Ph.D. chemical dissertation). The dash and other vinyl parts
are constantly bombarded by UV that breaks down the molecules of the skin,
allowing the raw vinyls to escape. This is referred to as "off-gassing".
These vinyls may deposit themselves on the glass, forming a haze that is
difficult to remove. If you have such a haze, it is probably your dash
that had decided to pick up stakes and migrate. Most nationally advertised
over the counter silicone oil based products do not usually contain UV
protectants and the silicone oils may act as a magnifying glass, intensifying
the UV degradation. Silicone oil may also dissolve the essential oils in
the vinyl skin, hastening the premature formation of cracks in the vinyl
skin. A quality cleaner/dressing product will contain a UV protectant and
essential oils to replace lost oils from the vinyl. These protectants are
very expensive, so the K-Mart specials may do more harm than good. Silicone
oil also has a very strong electrostatic attraction which may be considered
beneficial in that it will tend to stay where it is placed, but will also
attract every dust particle in the surrounding three counties. Many nationally
advertised Vinyl products also contain formaldehyde. As you can imagine,
this is not particularly beneficial to the vinyl.
Any vinyl protectant
should be applied to a soft cloth and worked into the surface. After a
few moments of allowing it to work into the surface, buff off the excess.
The dash should be treated more often than any other area, as it is subject
to the most severe attack by UV and heat
My personal favorite vinyl protectant
is Lexol Vinylex Spray. This in my humble opinion has it all. A very strong
UV protectant, essential oils, anti-static (helps keep dust off) and a
soft patina finish. Harly Polyguard - This used to be my favorite, till
I lost my heart to Vinylex. Leaves a touch more shine to the finish than
Vinylex. Somethin' Else - This is the sister to Black Again. Has all the
right ingredients and people who love it are died in the wool. I prefer
the Vinylex, but that is only a subjective opinion. It leaves a "new car" smell.
I think that is why it is not my favorite. I am not a fan of artificial
smells. Harly Interior Magic - An old standby that leaves a lemon scent.
Some people love it. I don't think a car should smell like lemons, but
that's my opinion and I could be wrong. Zymol Vinyl - Another tropical
oil product. Leaves a pina colada smell. Diehards will defend this product
to the death. I just think it is too much $. Meguiar #40 - A great product
that cleans and protects. Does not leave a slippery finish. Meguiar #39
- A very strong cleaner. This should be used carefully and very infrequently.
It will clean just about anything out of vinyl. Must be followed by a vinyl
protectant. A great cleaner for plastic Targa tops. Sonax Cockpit Spray
- This is a German product that is designed for German vinyl. Does a great
job, but leaves a little more shine to the surface than I care for. There
are a gaggle of users who love it. Wurth Cockpit Spray - ditto above. Wurth
people don't like Sonax and vice versa. All of the above products do not
contain raw silicone oil or formaldehyde.
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* Car
Care Specialties would never do anything to harm animals. Including
rodents that stuff our tailpipes with debris.
If you have any questions or if you need any further information, please
feel free to contact us.
© 1999 -
2008 Car Care Specialties, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
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