I have an Extang Full Tilt on my truck and all over their literature they warn against using a protectant like Armor All and say that you have to use their Tonneau Tonic - which is fine except the stuff is 10 bucks for a little bottle!

Anybody have any experience with just using Armor All? I don't know if it's just a sales gimmick designed to get you to buy their expensive protectant, or if there's really something to it.

As an aside, when I was putting the full-tilt back on this spring (I run an ARE Z-Series cap once hunting season rolls around) and i noticed one of the aluminum corners was cracked. I called Extang to order a replacement and they shipped the part out to me NO CHARGE!

 

I am not sure but will give you a BUMP.

 

I use the TruXedo stuff on mine. (I'm sure it's the same as Xtang) It only takes a little to do the cover, so a small bottle will last quite awhile. The oily texture of Armor-all type stull will run all down the side of the truck the first time it rains and make a mess. It also may have an adverse effect on the cover material.

 

I had that problem (the runoff) when I was driving a Taco, I'll have to try the stuff you mentioned. Thanks much!

 

Run-off isn't the problem. it's the actual product itself. Armorall actually dries up plastics and rubber and makes them brittle. It's been proven many times. I'm not sure if it has something to do with the UV rays or if it's the product all on it's own????
I stopped using Armorall about 5-6years ago. My tires have never looked better and no fading at all on any black plastic pieces.
Armorall fades, dries and cracks. It only looks good for the first day and that's it. Stay away from Armorall on your dash and tonneau. Tires are pretty hearty and I only had minor dry rot cracking when i did use the stuff. Armorall on the tires and then wiped dry is a nice look and doesn't catch as much dirt as other brands.

Meguirs makes a Quick interior shine that is no where near as harmful as Armorall?????? I use that stuff now as well as furniture polish. Yup wood furntiure polish. Works awesome. i love the orange scent.

 

I'm sure furniture polish is MUCH BETTER then Armorall and it been proven MANY times NOT to dry up plastics and rubber and makes them brittle. LOL I think I will try some paint thinner I have heard good things about that stuff.

 

Well, I have been using the stuff for years now and haven't had ANYTHING fade or crack. For giggles when i first started using the stuff, I compared side by side against armorall on my black plastic mirrors on my beater car. (mirrors were brand new at the time) Guess which one didn't fade??? Guess which one wasn't brittle looking or feeling. i did that for 2 years consitently. I wish i took pictures. Dam**t

 

That's actually what Extang warned against, for me the nasty dribbles are just another unpleasant side effect. Jeez, sounds like I need to set up a visit to the urologist...

 

Armor all will also make the cover itself shrink and then void your warranty (Extang has a pretty decent one too).