303 aerospace protectant

[John Loftus]

Has anyone been using 303 aerospace protectant? Sounds like it is very good for all the rubber bits on the car. I was surprised to see that some professional detailers are using it on paint instead of wax (at least according to the articles and testimonials on the website).

https://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=techaeroprotect#DETAILING


Cheers,
John

 

[Biff]

I have used 303 for over 30 years and have nothing bad to say about it. I was first introduced to it when I bought my first inboard/outboard drive boat to keep the rubber boot on the transom soft. My boot lasted almost 10 years before I got a small split. My fellow boaters only got 2-3 years out of theirs. Since then I have used it on all kinds of rubber and vinyl without any adverse affects. I use it on the original rubber floor matting in my '61 Sprite and over the past few years it has actually brought back some softness and flexibility to them. When I started using it on them they were hard, stiff, and brittle. Now I can remove them withot fear of them cracking or splitting. I stand behind the stuff 100%. All other "rubber" treatment products I've tried seem to work wonders for a short while and then all of sudden the rubber seems to degenerate over night. I haven't used it on paint but on fiberglass. My boats gel coat has oxidized and no amount of buffing and waxing will get the color back to close what it was but one application of 303 will restore the color for a month. By application I mean spray some on and wipe it down. Takes me 30 minutes to do a 20' boat hull.

 

[PC]

Never tried 303 myself but I've never heard anything but favorable comments about their products, used on fabrics anyway.

As for their paint detailing advice, it may work fine but I find their wording rather curious.

Ignoring for the moment that their picture shows a guy using what appears to be a wool pad to dry buff a finish (two big no-nos but I guess it's just a posed photo) they say "...it's the wax, no matter what quality, that will gray or dull your car..." This is absolute nonsense. There are plenty of good waxes and sealants from many companies that disprove that silly assertion.

They also suggest "Using a cleaner/swirl remover give a final preparation and let vehicle sit for a day or to let the oxidants evaporate." Oxidants evaporate? What the heck is that supposed to mean? The "oxidant" (substance that causes oxidation) on auto finishes is atmospheric oxygen. It doesn't need to evaporate, it's a gas. And it's everywhere. If they mean the oxidized paint, it's a solid it can't "evaporate". You rub it off. Maybe they mean volatile the carriers/components in the cleaner. Why didn't they just say that?

Anyway, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the product. I just think their ad copy is complete BS.


PC.

 

[Rippthrough]

Is this stuff any Ok to use on a vinyl hood? MX-5 needs some weather protection, and I'm trying to find the best stuff i can.

 

[Steve]

It should work perfectly. I have used their carpet cleaner, works as advertised.

 

[John Loftus]

[ QUOTE ]
Is this stuff any Ok to use on a vinyl hood? MX-5 needs some weather protection, and I'm trying to find the best stuff i can.

[/ QUOTE ]

Check out the testimonial page, scroll down to the one about the '66 Mustang ... the entire car is covered in vinyl (what was someone thinking?)
https://www.303products.com/tech/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=49

Also, thanks everyone for the feedback. I see that it is carried at my local hardware store so I'm going to pick up a bottle to check it out.

Cheers,
John

 

[Mark Jones]

My comments about 303 are basically the same as Biff's except I use it on my fiberglass seakayak: it keeps rubber soft and protect the gelcoat very well considering how much sun the kayak sees during a season. I also use it throught the Spitfire, including the top. I highly recommend this product.