Armor All problem

[LimaBravo]

Good news and bad:

The good: I found a great deal on a second Hundy.

The bad: I used armor all on the interior door and it looks pretty bad. It almost looks like the top (dark) layer came off leaving a lighter grey underneath that matches the lower trim pieces.

I called armor all and they said the door was probably oxidized and that leaving it for a week might bring back the darker color.

Has anyone else has similar issues?

Is there any way to restore the color?

What's a safe product to detail the rest of the rig?

I'm just glad I didn't use this on the wife's Lexus :-/

 

[larryt]

That looks like wear from using the top of the door card as an arm rest. The PO might have dyed it and the product wiped it off.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[Sandroad]

Although expensive, I know that ReNu Finish and Wipe New work well, especially on dark trim.

 

[LimaBravo]

Thanks Larry, but I don't think it was dyed. That was just the past wear I kept rubbing because I thought what was coming off was just dirt. If I keep rubbing along the whole length of the door the whole thing will look like that.

 

[larryt]

That is concerning. Never had anything like that happen before.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[hkeller]

The drivers door on our 2000 LX looks the same.

 

[larryt]

Same here.

 

[2000UZJ]

Same here. Armor all "cleans" the leather, it can also remove the color. I don't use any cleaners or shine enhancing products. A simple damp towel will do wonders on the interior.

 

[phippsj]

That's due to the the previous owner driving with his arm resting on the door. Sweat, oils and god-knows-what oozing from his pours have acid etched the leather. Probably not much you can do to restore it.

The armor all detailer shown in the OP's photo won't strip the color. The armor all cleaner will do that, but not the detailer. Been using armor all products for 35+ years. Detailer is the best, but won't restore the original finish.

 

[THEROK]

Patina

 

[LimaBravo]

I see how it looks like it corresponds to the elbow position, but that's just where I put more elbow grease into it. If I keep rubbing that hard on the rest of the door sill, the whole thing will be the lighter color.

The vinyl has certainly been neglected for years, and it's probable that any cleaner would have taken up the color like that.

The guy from Armor All theorized that because the detailer is approved for displays and running boards, it might be harsher than the original, but what phippsj said makes more sense (that original Armor All would strip it, but that the detailer should be a gentler formula). The guy I talked to at Armor All was definitely not a chemist.

I used plain water first, but there were some water marks I wanted to get rid of. I'll probably stick with water and a gentle detergent from here on out. I just need to decide whether to leave the door as is, or strip that whole piece down to the lighter color.

 

[LimaBravo]

"Patina"

Is that a detailing product? I googled it, but nothing obvious showed up.

 

[Dwight S]

Mine did the same thing. I noticed a dirty spot where the previous owner and I had rested our arm. I picked up some Meguires vinyl protectant wipes and cleaned off the dirt and was left with a light spot. Thought about looking at some vinyl dye, but it isn't all that bad really... my seats need the "love" more than the door.

 

[studawg]

Ive never seen that happen before with armor-all. I don't normally use the stuff and this just gives me more reason not to. Just a damp rag.

"Patina"

Is that a detailing product? I googled it, but nothing obvious showed up.

Lol, seriously?