I hate to disagree with Joe, especially since he knows how wrong I can be
(!) But since I found out my steering-wheel rim was rubber, not leather,
I've been searching around the Web for info on how to treat rubber.
Armor-All is a controversial product, it seems. I've never liked it anyway.
It leaves a greasy shine to everything, you certainly shouldn't use it on a
steering wheel (too slick or sticky), and there is some evidence to suggest
that it may actually harm tires by dissolving waxes in the rubber that
protect against UV. Also, once you use any of the cheapo products, you have
to keep using them over and over again or you end up worse than when you
started. Moss sells a product called Keyston Vinyl Protectant, which I've
used. But it's also supposed to be good for leather, and I've been told
recently that products that are good for rubber, vinyl, *and* leather are
not *ideal* for any of them. "Like recommending fish food as a food for
humans," one expert says.
The product mentioned most favorably is made by the company that makes Lexol
leather conditioner (a highly respected product). It's called *Vinylex* and
it's made specifically for rubber and vinyl---and supposedly leaves a shiny
but more natural-looking finish than Armor All. And they say you don't have
to keep re-applying it. Here's their website for more info. www.lexol.com
Phil Haldeman
haldeman@accessone.com
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