Caring for minelab plastic

[MikeK]

Hi: What's the best stuff to use to make the detector and coil look factory pretty again? Can I use Armor-all or some such thing?

Thanks Mike

 

[monindou]

Hi,

I know this will not sound like what you're after, and it might even sound like a reply to something you'd read on a Camaro chat board, but bear with me. Back in the 70's I worked for an Olds dealership as a new and used car detail man. We used Armor-All (and like products) always; after I left the dealership I continued to use AA. However after started seeing dashed crack and after I had two dashes crack - one in my 1968 F100, which had a pristine dash in it until I started hitting it with AA in '85, the other in my 1979 Cutlass Supreme - I started to rethink things. I honestly don't know I came to use it, but about 20 years ago now I started using clear liquid floor wax on my car interiors and tires. It holds up excellently and shines for a heck of a lot longer than AA, and the best thing is that it doesn't dry plastics out and I've never had a dash crack since. I would venture to guess that you should be OK to use liquid wax on the shaft, coil, etc. The best way to apply is with a clean water dampened sponge, then pour a small amount (about an ounce or so) of liquid floor wax on it, rub it on, let it dry. Now if you do your car interior repeat adding dampening (submerge in clean cool water and ring out) the sponge and adding liquid wax as the sponge dries out - BUT DON'T wax the steering wheel whatever you do!!

-
Doug

 

[time detective]

Dear Mike, I am UK lad and make my Explorer look like new with the simple application of wiping on olive oil (lower shaft and coil). I am unaware of any harm from this but would be very surprised if anything was to happen. My concern over using other oils, mineral / synthetic etc is the possibility of the presence of alcohol which may attack plastic over the long term. With olive oilive oil you have a natural organic substance which in being good for the skin surely cannot harm plastic in any way.

Hope this helps,

Dave

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

This stuff here does an awesome job:

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/als.aspx