Armor All® History
Discover the history of the ultimate range of car care products. Find out how we rose from humble beginnings to an industry leader.
Armor All®
The history of Armor All® began back in 1962 when polymer chemist Joe Palcher discovered a ‘miracle formula’ that protected rubber, plastic and vinyl from UV radiation and ozone.
In 1966, he began selling it as Tri-don – that’s No Dirt spelled backwards. Six years later in 1972, car enthusiast Alan Rypinski bought the company and renamed the product as Armor All® Protectant.
Since then, the Armor All® product line has expanded, becoming a complete resource for car enthusiasts. Working with industry experts, we are always innovating and testing new automotive care technologies. We make it easy for you to keep your car looking its very best.
To find out more about Armor All® today, check out the About Us page.
Humble Beginnings
You probably know history’s famous inventors. But we’d like to offer up polymer chemist Joe Palcher, the inventor of Armor All® Protectant. In 1962, Joe discovered a ‘miracle formula’ that protected rubber, plastic, and vinyl from UV radiation and ozone.
The Secret Gets Out
That secret formula wasn’t doing anybody any good just sitting on a shelf in Joe’s lab. But luckily for all of us car lovers, in 1966 a local auto shop owner convinced Joe to bottle and sell his formula. They called it Tri-don – that’s ‘No Dirt’ spelled backwards – and the automotive world would never be the same.
Call It Armor All Protectant
In 1972, marketing expert and car enthusiast Alan Rypinski bought the rights to Joe’s company, renamed the product Armor All® Protectant, and set out to make its powerful shine enhancement available to fellow car enthusiasts everywhere. In 1976, Alan made it official – he patented Armor All® Protectant, and in 1979 received a second patent for its exclusive infusion method. This allows its chemicals to penetrate the surface and protect from degradation. But that was just the beginning – for the next three decades, the innovations kept rolling out.
Car Wash
The Armor All® brand launches a wash specifically formulated for cars as an alternative to commonly used dish soap.
Tire Foam® Protectant
Tires are meant to be dirty, and nobody pays attention to them, right? Wrong, because you do. Our Tire Foam® Protectant was designed specifically to break down road grime and protect tires.
Clorox
Clorox acquires the Armor All® Products Company, beginning a new chapter for the Armor All® brand.
Wipes
The introduction of Armor All® Wipes was truly revolutionary. By combining the protection and shine of our sprays with the convenience of a wipe, we made it easier to keep your car beautiful and protected even during the busiest times.
Ultra Shine Wash & Wax
A superstar is born. Ultra Shine Wash & Wax is introduced as an advanced car wash that contained a propriety carnauba wax blend which provides the ultimate shine, protection and sudsing in one bucket. This star would become America’s favorite car wash* and one of the best values in car care! (*based on The NPD Group, 12ME 5-1-21, units)
Avista Capital Partners
Clorox sells the Armor All® and STP® brands to Avista Capital Partners in 2010, which named the business Armored AutoGroup and moves its headquarters to Danbury, CT.
Spectrum Brands
A new chapter for Armor All® begins as Spectrum Brands, a global and diversified consumer products company with market-leading brands, acquires Armored AutoGroup from Avista Capital Partners and becomes part of the Spectrum Brands Global AutoCare division.
Energizer Holdings, Inc.
Spectrum Brands sells the global auto care division to Energizer Holdings, Inc. Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, Energizer Holdings, Inc. is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of primary batteries and portable lighting products and is anchored by its globally recognized brands Energizer®, EVEREADY® Rayovac® and Varta®. Energizer is also a leading designer and marketer of automotive fragrance and appearance products from recognized brands such as Refresh Your Car!®, California Scents®, Driven®, Bahama & Co.®, LEXOL®, Eagle One® and Nu Finish®.
Deep Cleaning and Repellency
Armor All® launches not one but two new major innovation platforms. In the era of coronavirus, Armor All® launched a line of disinfectants specifically for use in cars, trucks, and RVs. And, to bring dirt and water repellency to an enhanced level, the new Extreme Shield™ + Ceramic line of products was launched.
