Vinyl Protection?

[BostonBull]

How do we know the products we use actually PROTECT? Are there studies, or proof of ingridients as being protective? What do they protect from? Sun? Water? Dust? Dirt?



Isnt AA considered a protectant? Dont most view it as a poor product that does more harm than good?

 

[wfedwar]

How do we know the products we use actually PROTECT? Are there studies, or proof of ingridients as being protective? What do they protect from? Sun? Water? Dust? Dirt?



Isnt AA considered a protectant? Dont most view it as a poor product that does more harm than good?

I think this is an excellent question. There are a handful of protectants that seem to have some evidence they protect from the elements (303 comes to mind), but I haven't seen much that suggests that anything is really needed on an interior that only gets exposure through 1/8" of automotive glass. I have recently been using only cleaners on interior for this reason.

 

[BostonBull]

this thread has been up for one full day, on a PROFESSIONAL detailing website. In that time I have only received one post, 1/2 hour after the OP was made. Does this mean that pro detailers on this site could careless what they use, or why they use it, as long as the customer is happy? Or does it mean no manufacturer backs up their claims? Or does it mean that professional detailers on this site havent a clue about products, and could careless about their effectiveness?

 

[gofastman]

this thread has been up for one full day, on a PROFESSIONAL detailing website. In that time I have only received one post, 1/2 hour after the OP was made. Does this mean that pro detailers on this site could careless what they use, or why they use it, as long as the customer is happy? Or does it mean no manufacturer backs up their claims? Or does it mean that professional detailers on this site havent a clue about products, and could careless about their effectiveness?

:funnypost

If you do a search on "vinyl protectant" you will get over 500 results, you could'nt find your answer somewhere in there?

That said, I feel 303 is the best protectant on the market.

 

[BostonBull]

:funnypost

If you do a search on "vinyl protectant" you will get over 500 results, you could'nt find your answer somewhere in there?

That said, I feel 303 is the best protectant on the market.

Nope. Not one link to proof of protection. Not one link to a study that has been done, by someone other than a manufacturer.

 

[wfedwar]

I understand not finding much out there on this, I haven't either, but why be so confrontational about it?

 

[BostonBull]

Sorry if I came off confrontational! not my intent. I just get amazed by people who spend huge money on products that claim to do something, with no proof.



apologize again

 

[jfelbab]

If the product contains UVA and UVB sunscreen and clearly makes the vinyl look better, than what else do you need to justify a $4 purchase. You want a $50,000 government study? LOL



Here is an example of what Meg's #40 has done with regular use on a 1991 daily driver. This is both rubber and vinyl protection. I don't need much more proof.

 

[BostonBull]

I didn't see uva and uvb blockers listed on MSDS sheets. sorry to get ya going!

 

[jfelbab]

I didn't see uva and uvb blockers listed on MSDS sheets. sorry to get ya going!

It's listed on the container label. MSDS data sheets are only required to show hazardous materials, not everything in the formulation.

 

[BostonBull]

Again.........



We only have the MANUFACTURERS gimmicks to go on. NO real tests. Why are we dropping huge money on things like 303, Zaino, Adams, Griots, etc that claim to block UV, resist fading, replenish moisture, etc etc when there are no tests to back up these promises?

 

[GoudyL]

It's listed on the container label. MSDS data sheets are only required to show hazardous materials, not everything in the formulation.

The amounts used are quite low, since they become much more concentrated as the formula evaporates.

 

[jfelbab]

I have conducted a long-term (18 year) test of #40 for myself. That's a pic of 18 year old weatherstrip on my old daily driver I posted previously. This car was garaged evenings but sat out exposed to the elements in a muni lot about 10 hours a day 6 days a week. That piece of weatherstrip has a vinyl base with rubber at the window and it still looks like new after 18 years of exposure. No fading, cracking or deterioration at all. That's all the proof I need. If you choose to leave your stuff bare because you don't believe the manufacturer's claims then let me know how that worked out for you in 18 years. LOL

 

[Kean]

Again.........



We only have the MANUFACTURERS gimmicks to go on. NO real tests. Why are we dropping huge money on things like 303, Zaino, Adams, Griots, etc that claim to block UV, resist fading, replenish moisture, etc etc when there are no tests to back up these promises?

....you seem to beating the same drum over and over again. If you are really interested, why don't you write a letter or e-mail to these companies asking them? If you are still unsatisfied or confused, no one is going to bend your arm to make you buy their products. ....simply don't. I doubt anyone here will have the answers you seek since you are looking for conclusive proof.



As was said before (several times), in many cases for most products we use in our daily lives we only have manufacturer's claims to go by, reviews, personal experience and that of others. In some cases we are lucky and a product is subjected to actual testing by an independent source. Personally, I've been using products like 303 for years on things like exterior trim because it helps rejuvenate faded plastic and keeps it looking new (as claimed). Whether this is due to the UV inhibitors contained in the product or due to other characteristics, that's another story. ....I simply don't know since I'm not privy to the actual chemical make up of 303 Aerospace Protectant nor am I a chemist who would be familiar with the properties of each substance even if I knew. Either way, the results I get from the product are what I expected and that's enough for me. ....hardly a waste of money in my book.



btw, the manufacturers you list who have products that allegedly provide "UV protection" generally have other properties/selling points that folks (like myself) consider when purchasing this line of merchandise. For example, most of use know from personal experience that there are a variety of products available that help protect and enhance the look of our paint and keep it from deteriorating (some better than others). ....and for most, that is enough to say the product is worth buying regardless of whether the results are due to "UV inhibitors" or not.

 

[shadow85]

If something truely sucked, you will be sure to hear about it on this forum.

 

[akimel]

I think this is an excellent question. There are a handful of protectants that seem to have some evidence they protect from the elements (303 comes to mind), but I haven't seen much that suggests that anything is really needed on an interior that only gets exposure through 1/8" of automotive glass. I have recently been using only cleaners on interior for this reason.

I honestly do not know if a UV protectant is needed for modern vinyl. I own, though my daughter drives, a 1997 Honda Accord. My daughter has returned home after graduation from college. A couple of days ago I went out to the car with my handy bottle of M40 to detail the interior vinyl and plastic. This is a car that has been outside for the past 13 years. The vinyl has never been protected (except on the occasional visit to the car wash, where Armor-All, or something like it, would have been applied). I was amazed by the good condition of the dash. If it has faded in color, then at least it has faded uniformly. It did look better once I gave it the M40 treatment.

 

[Accumulator]

I honestly do not know if a UV protectant is needed for modern vinyl..

Same opinion here.



Back in the day automotive vinyl seemed to really need treating/protection. These days I don't see it being very necessary.



Of course YMMV, especially in extreme environments.



I don't dress the interiors of some of our vehicles (other than the occasional use of Meguiar's Interior QD), and their vinyl/etc. seems to hold up just as well as the ones I have treated. We keep some of our vehicles a *long* time (e.g., my '85 Jag), and their vinyl isn't deteriorating from not being treated regularly. The interior of our '02 MPV has *never* been treated other than the Meguiar's Interior QD and it's just like new.

 

[BobD]

Who do you want to do the study? Why not get some products and pay for a study and see for yourself? I'm really not sure what sort of answers you are looking for here.

 

[DM101]

I have seen boats that sit out in the sun every day without a cover. I can tell you that the vinyl will fade and eventualy split open.

 

[Accumulator]

I have seen boats that sit out in the sun every day without a cover. I can tell you that the vinyl will fade and eventualy split open.

I wonder if that's directly analogous to automotive interiors (convertibles excepted) :think: It does seem like a good point with regard to rubber seals/etc. though.



I too see stuff that's exposed to the sun failing all the time, in a number of different situations. But automotive interior vinyl is possibly different stuff (made to better withstand UV/etc.) and there's the roof/glass blocking so much of that sunlight.



I'm sure not saying that I wouldn't keep an eye on things, and be prepared to use dressings, especially if I were parking outside 24/7. On the outside-always Volvo I used to have it was kinda funny what did/didn't suffer from the elements.

We only have the MANUFACTURERS gimmicks to go on. NO real tests. Why are we dropping huge money on things like 303, Zaino, Adams, Griots, etc that claim to block UV, resist fading, replenish moisture, etc etc when there are no tests to back up these promises?

Maybe you're just coming across as more contentious than you intend, but while I'm the first to assume hyperbole in any ad-copy, I dunno what "gimmicks" you're talking about, nor whether there have been any properly conducted testing or not. Seems like every manufacturer promises the moon and anybody in their right mind takes all such claims with a grain of salt.



While I don't use dressings, plenty of people like the shiny look of a freshly dressed interior, and OK, it's their choice and their money.



On older vehicles, the interior vinyl will absolutely dry out and crack without treatment. Different material from what they use today, and pretty fragile stuff. Thirty-forty years ago, vinyl interiors were always suffering from lack of attention, cracked vinyl dashboard pads were quite common...that's why stuff like ArmorAll took off so well when it first came out. It sure helped vinyl tops last longer, no question about that (heh heh, I'm dating myself...anybody remember all the [crap] they sold for vinyl tops?!?).



For that matter, *tires* usually look a lot better with dressings than they do without, though the Goodyears on my GMC are made to "stay black looking" without dressings and so far they're doing just that (which is completely different from the other tires on my other vehicles). Look at some abandoned tire sometime, one that's been outside and neglected for years; it'll be dry and cracked, and anything *but* a rich, satiny black. Yet treated tires, on vehicles that are outside 24/7 for years, will usually still look just like new. *Something* is working in those cases, though again, tires aren't necessarily analogous to interior vinyl.



Heh heh, sounds like I'm arguing both sides of this one, as happens from time to time!