Tom Nakashima wrote:
"MC" wrote in message
...
Tom Nakashima wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
Why you should not use armor-all on some lines;

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8733

TL
MC

Greetings again Mike,
I'm still confused on the Armor All issue.
I'm using Scientific Anglers fly-line, (floating line). I called SA and
spoke
with the tech department about cleaning and dressing fly-lines. One of
the
tech's told me it's ok to use Armor All on the line after it's been
cleaned.
He further said there is no need to use a dressing if I use the SA
cleaning
pads, as it is the only thing that I needed to clean the SA fly-line. I've
tried
the SA cleaning pads and I find them to work pretty well. Instructions
said
you can clean the line with the SA pads wet or dry. I have been cleaning
the fly-line using the pads for about 2 months now, and the coating seems
to be intact and working fine, as well as the cleaning and making the fly
line slick.

I read your link on the threads of cleaning fly-line. I believe you said
not to use anything abrasive, as it could strip off the coating off the
line.
-tom



It is better to stick to the manufacturer´s instructions regarding
maintenance and cleaning of fly-lines.

Putting Armor-all on intermediate lines makes them float on the surface
film.

Putting it on floating lines makes them slicker for a while, but it
wears off quickly, and it will not make them float any better, because
such lines float intrinsically, being positively buoyant. The PVC
coating is filled with tiny glass bubbles containing air.

Abrasive substances like Fuller´s earth damage the line coating.

Quite a few people use various things to "improve" line performance.
many of these things are actually detrimental, although this may not be
obvious in the short term. Quiet a few distance casters use silicone
oil to polish their lines before a competition, and this does improve
the shooting qualities, but only temporarily, and is not advisable when
fishing, as the effects on the line may also be detrimental, such as
leaching plasticisers, or attacking the PVC.

I wash most of my lines in warm soapy water after a trip, and on some I
use Cortland line dressing, applied sparingly, and polished off with a
soft cloth.

TL
MC

Thanks Mike,
sounds like soapy water seems like the safest to use. I think SA also has
their line cleaner as well. I was sort of reluctant to use the SA pads at
first,
thinking it would strip off the coating, as you said. But I looked at the
line
coating with a microscope after I used the pad and I didn't see a difference
between the end of the line close to the backing which hasn't been touched
and the line which I used the SA pads.
-tom



If a manufacturer offers such materials for line cleaning, then it is
most unlikely that they will damage the line.

However, as Mr Seidmann pointed out, soapy water and a good rinse is
sufficient for plastic lines.

TL
MC