This adventure is brought to you by Walmart. THE ROCK FATHER is a Socialstars 2014 #WalmartAuto Ambassador. The Armor All products featured in this story are all available at your local store or at Walmart.com.
Ten years ago, SCION made it’s debut here in the U.S., and I – deeply embedded in the entertainment world at the time – found myself enamored by the Scion XB, aka “The Box” after seeing it on the streets of California, where it arrived early. I ordered one brand-new, completely loaded and set to be delivered in June of 2004. In fact, I’m told it was the first black version to be delivered and sold in the state of Wisconsin (and imported to Illinois), but I’ve never been able to confirm that. I had it decked out with red LEDs to capture that KNIGHT RIDER vibe I dig so much, along with racing pedals, additional performance features, and the top-of-the-line Pioneer sound system. Upon arrival, I bestowed upon it a red Autobot insignia, displayed proudly on it’s rear window… a throwback to the TRANSFORMERS debut in 1984. The car and I were ready for adventure, and many adventures were had. Now, in 2014 – I still have the Autobot in my driveway, but things are different. The bazooka tube is out of the trunk (room for a stroller), and in the back are a pair of car seats. 160,000 miles later, my Scion is still rockin’, and it’s Daddy and Addie that keep it that way.
The road has not always been kind to the Scion – it’s got a crack in the windshield that I never got fixed… the CD changer stopped working years ago… and with so many miles, there’s some scratches and body rust that have begun creeping in. But, with regular TLC, my oldest little one and I keep this little Autobot looking pretty good – so good that those flaws go largely unnoticed!
What’s in our car care arsenal this summer?
Armor All® Premium Wash & Wax + Protect: Not only cleans and shines, but also helps to protect your car from water spots and marks; Armor All® Outlast Trim & Plastic Restorer (essential for a decade-old car): Restores plastic, vinyl, and rubber trim to make them look like new again; Armor All® Outlast Tire Glaze (the perfect finish): Glaze your tires with a product that dries completely, no sling guaranteed; Armor All® Disinfecting Wipes (I keep these in the trunk because you never know what kind of kid-slime I’ll encounter): Clean and disinfect the interior of your car in one easy step – For use on nonporous surfaces such as plastic, vinyl upholstery, metal, glass and car seats. Plus dries quickly, leaving no dull or sticky residue; and Armor All® “New Car” Protectant Spray (I’m obsessed with that “New Car” scent): Clean, beautify, protect and freshen your car in one step, while leaving a “New Car” scent.
Not bad for a decade-old daily driver, right?
While the little one and I certainly love caring for our older ride, as Master Yoda once said, “There is another…”
We use these same products to keep our Decepticon – a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox – looking tops as well, and with Summer here, we made sure that this ride was Road Trip-ready, shined up and ready to roll on our recent 1,900-mile adventure. And when we came back? We cut right through all the dirt and bugs that we accumulated on the winding roads of America!
Addie says, “Washing the car is so fun, Daddy!” – and I have to agree. It’s something that she and I love doing together, and something I look forward to involving Little Finley in down the line. I can’t say I haven’t tried, but right now she’s more into washing the driveway and napping.
Get all the Armor All products you need in your local Walmart Auto Department.
