You know it when you see it: the distinctive, showroom shine on a car’s paint or wheels. The sort of shine you want your car to have, and you want your carwash to deliver – every time. The world-renowned car care brand Armor All® was a break-through innovation from the very start, but it’s come a long way since then.
From a single-product company to a global provider of premium products, Armor All continues to be the gold standard for automotive surface protection and shine. With a commanding 90% market recognition, it’s not just another brand; it’s a transformative force in auto care, reshaping how consumers view and select carwash services.
But how well do you know this iconic brand and its place in the carwash industry? As a carwash owner, it’s worth it for you to know why you should choose Armor All Professional® branded carwash chemicals, distributed exclusively by NCS.
The History of Armor All Professional
The brand we know today as Armor All Professional® officially launched in 1972, but its roots stretch back another decade. The brand’s story begins with polymer chemist Joe Palcher. While experimenting with polymers in his lab, Palcher created a polish that effectively shields rubber, plastic and vinyl from UV radiation.
Not knowing he’d invented a formula that would birth a prominent auto care brand, Palcher shelved the formula for the next four years. Then his friend, a local auto enthusiast, discovered the formula has some magic to it. Excited by its potential, he convinced Palcher to share it with the world. The two launched the product in 1966 under the name Tri-Don (No-Dirt spelled backward), targeting a niche market of car collectors.
Innovation Meets Enterpreneurship
So, how did Tri-Don become Armor All Professional? This is where Alan Rypinski, a car enthusiast with an eye for opportunity, enters the picture.
In the late 1960s, Rypinski was seeking products to restore his vintage Jaguar when he stumbled upon Tri-Don at the Briggs-Cunningham Automotive Museum. Impressed by its effectiveness and mistakenly believing it was widely available, he immediately decided it would be his go-to auto polish. However, he soon discovered it was only available at the museum.
Driven by a desire to share this effective product with other car lovers and his entrepreneurial spirit, Rypinski secured world marketing rights from Palcher for $5,000 in 1972. He patented the rights, re-bottled it and rebranded it with his wife’s help to “Armor All,” meaning “protect everything.” It was and still is the perfect name.
Rypinski then put his marketing prowess to work, and in just a year, Armor All sales hit $200,000. By the late 1970s, Armor All protectant was well-known and dominated the U.S. auto market, generating millions in sales.
In 1979, Rypinski sold his ownership rights to McKesson Corporation, marking the brand’s journey to international prominence. Under McKesson’s tenure, Armor All Professional purchased Borden Inc., an established auto care company, to expand its offerings.
The brand has changed hands several times since then, with each new owner adding to its legacy and innovation. Today, Armor All Professional is owned by Energizer Holdings and distributed to the commercial car wash market exclusively by NCS.
A Legacy of Innovation in Car Wash Chemistry
The Armor All Professional presence in the auto aftermarket space has been game-changing. The brand has consistently rolled out car wash chemical products that set the industry bar and shape consumer expectations.
In 1982, Armor All Professional launched the Armor All Heavy Duty Car Wash. It was the first Armor All product specifically formulated for car wash use. This pioneering product provided an alternative to household-based detergents that car owners previously relied on. It also paved the way for a new generation of car-specific wash formulations.
In 1992, Armor All revolutionized tire care by introducing Armor All Tire Foam Protectant. Formulated with powerful foaming action surfactants, this product breaks down and carries away road grime and dirt. It eliminates laborious scrubbing, rinsing, and wiping, saving time and resources. It also imparts that characteristic shine you can easily spot on rubber tires.
In 2000, Armor All Professional developed biodegradable, plant-based wipes, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to sustainability.
In 2007, the brand released Ultra Shine Wash and Wax, an advanced car wash that contained a proprietary carnauba wax blend which provides the ultimate shine, protection and sudsing in one product. This carwashing star was a precursor to today’s Armor All Professional Extreme Shine Wax with Carnauba, which is one of America’s favorite car wash protectants.
If you’re curious, you can check out the complete history of Armor All auto care products and their impact on the vehicle care space.
Ceramic Seal Technology
In 2020, Armor All Professional ceramic seal technology was introduced. Utilizing silicon dioxide, the ceramic seal forms a strong chemical bond with a vehicle’s paint surface, creating a highly durable and hydrophobic layer that protects against UV rays and contaminants. It results in an incredible shine and reduces the frequency of reapplication, allowing car wash facilities to offer clients maximum value.
Because these materials tend to be hardier than simple waxes or polymers, ceramic paint coatings have a reputation for providing much greater protection for cars. They are a premium product, a top-package add-on, but they are provide superior protection. Ceramic coatings are among the best protective coatings for new cars because they minimize ongoing damage and maintain the “new car” shine that so many owners crave.
Armor All Professional ceramic Seal protects against environmental assaults like UV rays, bird droppings and tree sap, surpassing traditional waxes in durability and shine. It offers superior paint adhesion and gloss while its water-repellent properties eliminate the need for conventional drying agents. The product also supports carwash water reclaim systems, ensuring both efficiency and superior vehicle care.
The Armor All Professional® brand’s use of biodegradable raw materials and recyclable packaging cements its legacy as a leader in eco-conscious car care and inspires industry-wide social responsibility. Three core pillars define Armor All Professional’s legacy:
- Consistent innovation
- Enduring impact
- Unwavering commitment to sustainability
Market Leadership
The Armor All Professional® reputation for innovation, quality, and effectiveness has earned it significant market recognition and consumer preference.
Research shows it’s the #1 recognized brand in the auto appearance market. It boasts 90% customer awareness and 85.8% positive perception. This positive perception is evidenced by the fact that 46% of consumers are willing to go an extra two miles just to find car washes that use Armor All Professional products.
Armor All Professional brand recognition positively influences consumer behavior, driving more revenue for wash facilities. 44% of customers will upgrade their wash packages when they find a conveyor car wash facility that uses Armor All and related brands. This translates to an average ticket increase of $1.08 per wash.
Armor All Professional Carwash Chemistry: Distributed Exclusively by NCS
Armor All Professional has been redefining auto care since its inception. Its commitment to continuous innovation and sustainability is evident product after product. NCS is proud to be the exclusive supplier of the brand’s industry-leading solutions for car wash facilities. Contact NCS today to unlock the potential of Armor All Professional products for your business.
