So I've been seeing some posts suggesting to add Armor All to your fuel to help stop fuel foaming. Is this a good thing to do or is this a bandaid for bigger problems. I've been flying R/C and C/L since I was 11 and have never heard of this. 48 now:-(

Tim

I've never had much problem with fuel foaming, so have used it only a few times.  I add a drop or two to the jug and shake it.  Generally a very few drops will stop the foaming.

Armor All has been used in Australia for decades and generally all that's needed is one quick squirt into a gallon of fuel. There are stories floating around that it can foul plugs but I've never heard any Aussies complain and it's certainly never fouled any of my plugs.

Obviously, too much doesn't seem to hurt anything.

Son of a Gun brand works just as well as Armor All. I've been using as little as possible, which amounts to at most, two drops to a quart. That usually makes it impossible to shake a foam into it. Any bubbles that do form when you shake it will disappear in a couple of seconds. I'm too worried about the aforementioned Taters to add more. If my profile has a super shaker for an engine, I make the tank pad out of a beer Koozie. and mount it with rubber bands rather than a metal strap.

Rusty

Obviously, too much doesn't seem to hurt anything.

I tried an experiment some time ago to see what might happen so I put a huge amount of Armor All into a tank of fuel, I'd guess about the equivalent of enough for 100 gallons or more. The plug was still perfect about 10 minutes later when the tank was dry. I seem to recall the problem with taters had something to do with a particular brand of fuel used at that time. Steve is right though about the story with a a change of formulation and the magic ingredient (silicon) but I haven't checked to see if it's true because I still have my old (20+ yo) bottle of Armor All. It seems the silicon reduces the surface tension to a point where the largest bubble that can form is around 1mm diameter so presumably anything containing some silicon should work. I'd hesitate to use a bit of silicon car polish though .

Armour All seems to contain 'water based silicons.'

From their web site -
http://www.armorall.com/faqs/

"What are the ingredients in Armor All® Protectants? Do they include silicone, alcohol, ultraviolet inhibitors and petroleum distillates?

Armor All® Leather Care contains lanolin and natural moisturizers, and UV inhibitors. Armor All® Leather Care Protectant Spray and Leather Wipes contain water-based silicone emulsions, surfactants, and ultraviolet light inhibitors. Armor All® Original Shine Protectant contains water-based silicone emulsions, surfactants, and ultraviolet light inhibitors, humectants, dispersants and gloss enhancers. Armor All® Ultimate Clean Protectant contains water-based silicone emulsions, surfactants, ultraviolet light inhibitors and a fragrance."

But I am guessing that the surfactants play a huge role in reducing surface tension also.