I was just raving about their Protectant Wipes in another thread and was directed here. Amor All says the wipes formula includes water-based/water soluable silicones.

My dash is pristine and I'd like to keep it that way. I can easily get Mothers or Meguiars, but the Armor All wipes are so easy, convenient and effective. So are they safe or not?

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

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Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

In reply to: "UV is not a problem". I am certainly not an expert, but as anyone who owns/wears "Transition Lenses"....the eyglasses that go from clear to very dark....knows, they do not work inside of a car. The reason is that they require UV to activate them, so obviously UV does not go through the windshield. But, I am aware that there is UV 'A' and UV 'B', and which one activates the lenses and which one(s) could harm the vinyl, I do not know.
I am a fan of Meguire's NXT protectant, btw.

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1996 SL320 97K miles
1996 C220 130k miles
1992 500SEL 170k miles <---sold
1986 300E 216k miles <---sold

I use Pledge furniture polish - the traditional unscented type. Pledge is an emulsion of carnuba wax in a petroleum distillate. The wax seals up the surface of the vinyl and prevents it from outgassing - what we know as "new car smell". Over time heat causes the vinyl to outgas, which shrinks it and builds up stress. Eventually the stress will cause a crack. The carnuba wax leaves a satin finish, which is not too shiny or slippery. It can be used on any vinyl surface in the car including the door trim and MB Tex seats. It's probably good for leather, too.

A surface sealant and keeping the dash cool by covering the car when it's parked outside is your best long term protection. UV damages organic materials by breaking down the molecular structure. That's why clear coats break down and paint pigments fade, car covers disintegrate and people get skin cancer from too much sun exposure. Most covers will block about 99 percent of solar UV radiation, just like wearing a shirt keeps you from getting sunburned.

Duke

Petroloeum distillates are the worst thing to put on rubber/vinyl/plastic. It eats them.

The petroleum distillates are just a way of keeping the wax in suspension in the can and while it's applied. They evaporate rapidly as you wipe the product onto the surface.

Armor All leaves a shiny, slippery, greasy surface. I only use it (in a 50/50 mix with distilled water) on exterior items such as tires, bumper covers, and mirror housings.

Duke

What about a good old dash mat?

I'm with Duke2.6. I have used Pledge for many years. I use the lemond Pledge because of the smell. It works great. My 126 has 2 cracks in the dash about 1 in long which were in the dash before I got the car. They havn't changed since I have had the car. And the car sits outside all the time.

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

I use Pledge Cedar scent and like it a lot. It does not last very long, unfortunately.

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

No such thing as water soluble silicon - period.