I believe the shrinking tonneau thing was started by me when I responded to a
note regarding how to get a dull dash brighter - my humble apologies for
spreading such obvious untruths but here's how it got started. One person had
suggested Armor All as a solution while I suggested that Armor All contains
silicones and other nasty stuff that is not good for the vinyl (see the 2
original mail messages immediately below). Later, while responding to a note
about the shrinking tonneau problem I indicated that I had 2 short ones myself
and was waiting for the magical tonneau growth hormone to be available
(chuckle chuckle). Additionally, I admitted (humorously) that I secretly
suspected that the previous owner must have used that nasty stuff Armor All
on the tonneaus thus causing them to be in their shrunken condition. However,
I did not mean to imply that Armor All causes tonneaus to shrink. To the
contrary, I believe that tonneaus don't shrink at all - actually it's an
illusion caused by humidity. You see the humidity not only can cause an
improvement in engine performance but it also causes the metal of the car to
expand thus making the tonneau appear to have shrunk. However, this is a
problem that can usually be resolved with some dry warmth as others have noted
- that is if the car is not that old!! ... read on ..... The real problem
with the tonneau is, and you may get this straight away because its so
obvious, is the MG growth phenomenon (clinically referred to as MG MG - MG
Maturing Growth). Essentially, as the MG gets older it grows - sure during
the first 10 years or so off the production line this is barely noticable -
but wait 20 years. All of a sudden the tonneau won't fit no matter how warm
and sunny it is.
So now you know the real reason for why I'm waiting for the tonneau growth
hormone (either that or an MG shrinkage solution - ooohhh - that's right they
already have that - its called a midget). Now that you know the real story -
my apologies again for implying that Armor All (or any other such solution)
cause the tonneau to shrink (how silly of me to think that I'd get that one by
you).
With tongue firmly yet figuratively applied to my hypothetical cheek,
Dr. Doug
69 C Rdst
69 C GT
69 B Rdst
70 B GT (4 sale - no mucho dineros)
Here are my original notes on Armor All:
1. "In my opinion you should forget Armor All - it has silicone oil in it
which actually attracts dirt and dust. It also clogs the vinyl surface and
causes dirt buildup and will interfere with the vinyl's ability to breathe (if
appropriate - e.g., nose bra). I believe it may also have petroleum
distillates, alcohol or other bad stuff in it (don't have any laying around so
I can't confirm). Try a product call "303" made by a company called 303
Products in Palo Cedro, CA - its better, it's biodegradable, it provides UV
protection and it's anti static (no dust). If you must use Armor All - save
it for you tire sidewalls."
2. "I've been there and have 2 perfectly good tonneaus sitting in my garage
waiting for that magical tonneua growth hormone to be available. I suspect
the PO used Armor All on them (see previous note) which made them shrink in
the first place. I figure that by the time I can afford to add a Midget to my
collection my shrunken tonneaus will be perfect!!! "
Dr. Doug
69 C Rdst
69 C GT
69 B Rdst
70 B GT
----------
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net on behalf of Nolan Penney
Sent: Monday, February 24, 1997 7:59 PM
To: dhall@vcd.hp.com
Cc: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: taut tonneaus
>Does Armor All really cause shrinkage of
>vinyl?? (He asks as he has recently soaked
>his Midget tonneau...) I might have
>one for your collection in a few months!
I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but I think the notion of armor
all shrinking vinyl is nuts. I've never heard of it other then in this
particular mail group. I've used it, as have zillions of others,
without a mysterious shrinkage problem that seems to beset certain mg
owners only. Myself, I quit using armorall because it's kinda sticky.
I prefer stp sonofagun. I've used these sorts of things for years to
turn rock hard brittle pieces of rubber and plastic into pliable things
again. And had great success at keeping things from splitting when in
the sun for years on end.
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