303 & Meguiar's #40

J

jb1

New member
Has anyone ever mixed the 2 protectants? I know 303 is water-based, but I don't know about #40. I like the UV protection of 303 and I also like the smell of #40. 303 is a little matte - I'm thinking that if I mix the two 1:1, I'd have the protection of 303 and the finish would be just right. Not to mention that #40 is half the price.



Just curious if anyone has mixed any two or so protectants and how it turned out.
 
re the 303; awile back it was pointed out about a real bad "stinky" batch of 303. i was a dedicated user of it for about 2 years and was just about to reorder when that posting hit this site. apparently it was wide spread as alot of guys were posting having also received a defective product. can i assume you are a recent user and as such the problem has been corrected? by the way, i wound up switching to the megs 40 and have seen very little difference except for the 1/2 the price difference.

to me it appears as long as you stay within the popular brands there are very little noticeable differences with the notable exceptions of smell and price. just my opinion.

z
 
beefy z said:
re the 303; awile back it was pointed out about a real bad "stinky" batch of 303. i was a dedicated user of it for about 2 years and was just about to reorder when that posting hit this site. apparently it was wide spread as alot of guys were posting having also received a defective product. can i assume you are a recent user and as such the problem has been corrected? by the way, i wound up switching to the megs 40 and have seen very little difference except for the 1/2 the price difference.

to me it appears as long as you stay within the popular brands there are very little noticeable differences with the notable exceptions of smell and price. just my opinion.

z
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I've used both 303 and #40.



Do you really not see more than a "very little difference" between them?
 
yeah...very little difference...i'm sorry. maybe these 55year old eyes are starting to fail me or maybe i'm just starting to get get fed up with all these over-exergerated claims i've dealt with my entire life that i'm now a confirmed cynic and pessimist.

many years back i was a confirmed armor all user until it was pointed out that armor all created a sticky and greasy finish. after trying some of the 303 then, i saw the huge difference. that's when i switched to the 303 and was using it until like i said the "stinky stuff" was reported. but i bet there are some out there who like that sticky and greasy finish. go figure ??? i guess it REALLY comes down to what you like using and what the finished product looks like. it still amazes me when i read a post about a certain product, wax/polish/ QD, whatever, that one of our participants here have used and they report total dissatisfaction with it for whatever reason. and i think, wow, i use that stuff too. i didn't have that problem, i swear by that stuff. was that guy on drugs or something ????

i think it all boils down to you will use what you feel comfortable in using and what brings satisfaction to your eye. again, just my (cynical) opinion.

z
 
beefy z said:
re the 303; awile back it was pointed out about a real bad "stinky" batch of 303. i was a dedicated user of it for about 2 years and was just about to reorder when that posting hit this site. apparently it was wide spread as alot of guys were posting having also received a defective product. can i assume you are a recent user and as such the problem has been corrected? by the way, i wound up switching to the megs 40 and have seen very little difference except for the 1/2 the price difference.

to me it appears as long as you stay within the popular brands there are very little noticeable differences with the notable exceptions of smell and price. just my opinion.

z
Click to expand...



I've probably had my 303 for a year or so, maybe more. Mine doesn't stink so far!
 
beefy z said:
yeah...very little difference...i'm sorry. maybe these 55year old eyes are starting to fail me or maybe i'm just starting to get get fed up with all these over-exergerated claims i've dealt with my entire life that i'm now a confirmed cynic and pessimist.

many years back i was a confirmed armor all user until it was pointed out that armor all created a sticky and greasy finish. after trying some of the 303 then, i saw the huge difference. that's when i switched to the 303 and was using it until like i said the "stinky stuff" was reported. but i bet there are some out there who like that sticky and greasy finish. go figure ??? i guess it REALLY comes down to what you like using and what the finished product looks like. it still amazes me when i read a post about a certain product, wax/polish/ QD, whatever, that one of our participants here have used and they report total dissatisfaction with it for whatever reason. and i think, wow, i use that stuff too. i didn't have that problem, i swear by that stuff. was that guy on drugs or something ????

i think it all boils down to you will use what you feel comfortable in using and what brings satisfaction to your eye. again, just my (cynical) opinion.

z
Click to expand...



I don't think you are necessarily being cynical. I think you are simply being accurate about how incredibly different peoples experience and opinions can be regarding the same product! We see it repeatedly on this forum. You are right!



I think #40 cleans much better than 303 (not surprising) and leaves a darker, wetter finish than 303. 303 has more of a matte finish to it. IMO of course! ;)
 
when you say "nasty" do you mean it still looks nasty? because if thats what you mean, no matter what you use its still gonna look nasty unless, you prep it right. just like with waxing, you can put on the suppossedly best wax in the world and its still going to look "nasty" unless a correct surface prep has been done. if memory serves me correctly, and i'm quoting from memory because i've never owed a rag top before, there was a florida based outfit/product, Raggtopp( sp ?) i think that specialized on this subject that suppossedly helped alot of members with there product; ie a good surface prep first, followed by a protectant. i'm sure they offered both items.

after that it would just be maintaining what you accomplished and according to my cynical outlook, you would end up using whatever you felt was giving you the best results. as stated, not ever having any convertible experience, i don't know if either 303 or 40 could be used. i'm sure with a little research, you will find the answer to your question.

z
 
Rob Tomlin said:
Just go with FK1 108 Top Kote and be done. ;)
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Hey Rob,

I guess the thing that "scared" me away from ordering some was the post about the FK 108 stinking. I may just order the smallest bottle and try it out and see what I think.



Yes I notice a difference b/t the two. I did the dash in my vette with #40 and I let it soak in for a while. I went back and buffed it to reduce the sheen and I missed a spot right at the bottom of the windshield and it was what I would call "somewhat shiny."



I'd like to pick up a piece of dash or door panel from a junkyard and try out all of them including my soon-to-be new cocktail of 303 and #40..........Guess I'll call it 343. :idea



Update: I mixed 303 & #40 1:1 and this will be my new interior protectant. (at least until I try something else :chuckle:) I applied it with a foam sponge. I sprayed the product directly on the sponge and wiped down some interior parts and some on the engine. I just wiped the product for a minute or two as it was soaking in. No need to buff. It's a tiny step up from the 303 finish but less "satin" than the #40 leaves. *IMO* this is the outcome I was looking for. I only mixed up about 3 or 4 oz. in case this didn't work.



See you guys later, I have to go put down some 1000P - Pink Wax - 425.
 
303 and RaggTopp both make stuff for convertibles. I don't have a convertible - I just checked it out on Autogeek.
 
Raggtopp protectant has been good to me. Brought back my top after heavy cleaning and seems to work well for me on the interior also. I used it in a pinch on my interior before a show.
 
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