Removing Armor All (or similar)?

Hi All:

I have my parents, well, now my '73 Stage-1 here in Atlanta and beginning to go through it with some TLC. Set the timing and the idle mixtures today, replaced the door strikers so they don't need to be slammed, etc... and I am making a list.

First up, it feels like there is about 20 years of Armor All on the door panels - making them sticky, worse as it gets warmer. The worst part is the rubberized door pull area.

Anyone successfully remove it without damaging the vinyl or plastic underneath?

I'll be back with more questions -- and thanks in advance,

Dave

 

Dawn liquid soap Heavy duty if they make such a thing. They used Dawn on the wildlife. Exxon Valdese spill. Use a white 3M scuffpad. it will not scratch anything. But will break through the build up

 

I would not use lighter fluid. But that is the mildest solvent based cleaner you can use

 

aresol wax and grease remover just like what paint shops use to remove silicone products from a car before painting it. Very inexpensive and works awesome on all kinds of stuff similar to armor all

 

I do not use wax and grease remover in solvent form. It just moves it around. If i have a car in the shop that customer has Armour all on everything. your pretty much screwed as a painter. Besides i think Armour all. Is milky now. Don’t seem like it’s petroleum based like when it first came out

 

This is what i use. I started using ICI 30 yrs. ago. My favorite solvent based paint. But when PPG bought this British owned company. They changed the name to Nexa. PPG Global is the old ICI not PPG. Reason why they named it Global. Anyway I know it’s hard for you guys to find this stuff. But if you make some phone calls you could find this stuff. Mix it 1:1 with water. it is solvent. But they want you to mix it with water. So it strips it off instead of “moving” all over the panel.

 

I never paint a car without this. If i feel the car has silicone sprayed all over it. Best stuff i know of.

 

This stuff is not a weak cleaner like lighter fluid. This stuff takes all the bugs and grime that your tires throw up from the road. That’s why it’s 50 product 50 water. Try wiping bugs of with wax n grease remover. impossible. bugs are water based.

 

Simple green works well

 

The dealer detail guy sprayed way to much silicone based stuff on the dash of the car my wife bought a few years ago. it made the windshield nearly impossible to see through at night. no amount of glass cleaner, 409 or any other type of store bought cleaner could get it off. Prep All was recommended by the paint and body supply store and it worked awesome.. it removes any silicone residue as well as grease or wax. spray it on a soft cloth and use it that way.

 

Well that. Body cleaner will take off dyes and has to be wiped off instantly with water very well. Or will do damage if sits for a long period of time. Funny Simple green always comes up. I use to spray off all my ATV’s with simple green. That’s one of the best water soluble cleaners you can buy

 

WOW - Thank you all for the replies. You've Given me a bunch of options, from mild to, less than mild, for sure. I'll be starting with the Dawn.... and then if need be, a very light mix of Simple Green before moving on. But, seeing all of the de-greasing options - I actually have this on the shelf... But, I 'm thinking it'll be like that body cleaner above, and it'll strip the dyes? That's the last thing I need.

WD-40® SPECIALIST® INDUSTRIAL-STRENGTH DEGREASER - FAST-ACTING FORMULA is a powerful solvent-based degreaser that quickly cleans machinery, engines and equipment to look like new and run smooth. Contains WD-40® PowerSolve Technology™, a proprietary solvent that quickly breaks down grease yet unlike other harsh degreaser solvents is safe on most surfaces including metals, plastics, rubber, glass, aluminum and more (if unsure test on a small area first). Ideal for use on automotive and truck engines, tire rims, tractors, forklifts, gears and chains, industrial machinery, power equipment and other metal tools. Safe on skin.

 

we have some stuff at work we sell . get it from our castle rep . shop-solv I think . i'll check that name .
not petroleum based . spray can . local state police shop used it to clean up their vehicle interiors . according to them does not hurt upholstery etc . I've used it for a few dif things , have not noticed any adverse finish effects .

 

That cleaner I posted a picture of does not strip the dye. I used it on the interior of two different cars with no negative results.

 

Dawn is great soap.. But it needs a Hot water rinse. Your better off using Tide laundry soap its a cold water rinse...

 

Thank you all, once again - I have some Dawn, Tide and Simple Green lined up... and I hope to get to it one night this week. I'll be sure to report back!

 

So... was able to make some time for the garage tonight. I first tried a diluted mixture of Tide and water, and some colors came up on the towel. Not a lot, but enough to make me see a change. It helped some, except for the rubberized door pull block. I was also able to see that it looks like the panel, or at least that part of the door pull has has some redye-ing done. I am going to see what my dad remembers about it, as I don't want to use anything harsher like Simple Green and strip what ever was done.

 

Ok the tide is doing its job.. So why did you stop.. The armorall is (color) you are removing. The AA sucks the color out of what its applied to..