Calling all 303 guys...

S

SouthernBoy

New member
I'm fed up with Vinylex (too glossy inside, doesn't last long enough outside), so I ordered some 303 yesterday.



Should I do anything to prep the "Vinylexed" surfaces, other than normal shampoo, prior to first application of 303? Any special hints or tricks with 303?



I'm planning to use it on exterior black plastic trim and interior vinyl. I'm very happy with Mequiars Endurance on the tires.



PS - Did a search, found a WEALTH of stuff, but most was pretty general. Also, I will post a comparative review 303 vs. Vinylex after using 303.



Thanks in advance.:up
 
Autopia has a good comparitive review of Vinylex versus 303.



As far as your prep - I think normal vinyl cleaner should be fine.



With regards to the exterior vinyl - some might object, but I'm not a big fan of 303 on the exterior stuff, unless you're talking about a garage queen. As good as it is on the interior, 303 doesn't have the durability to be an exterior vinyl/rubber product.
 
Clean your dash with a little warm water and a few drops of Dawn to remove all the Vinylex, then dry and apply your 303. I really like 303 on the interior, very factory looking and minimal dust attraction...unlike Vinylex.



As for exterior use, you may expierence some "runs" in the dressing on exterior plastic. This is because the plastic cannot absorb the dressing like exterior rubber parts can. It's not really a big deal, just something you might want to be aware of. For use on exterior rubber I apply it, and then let it sit for about 1 hour, then come back and buff of the excess. :up
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by JohnN [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>...As good as it is on the interior, 303 doesn't have the durability to be an exterior vinyl/rubber product. [/b]</blockquote>
JohnN - Seems like you and I have discussed this before, but what do you use on the exterior? I'm starting to feel like AlBoston (searching for the elusive leather scent) only I'm looking for something good for exterior black plastic.
 
303 and Vinylex are the products I use most often. The 303 imho is better for outside vinyl/plastic trim and bumpers. My wife's minivan has an abundance of exterior unpainted plastic on the bumpers, large ding strips and grille. I have found through experimentation that the 303 holds up better in rainy weather than the Vinylex. The same holds true on the door handles and mirrors on my truck. I also like the 303 on the Porsche interior because it leaves a matte finish.



I prefer to apply 303 with a foam applicator. However if the dash is dusty I'll use a Scott paper towel sprayed with protectant to do the initial dust removal thus keeping my applicator cleaner. I find that if I'm careful about regulating the amount of protectant on the applicator (damp but not dripping) I typically don't need to wipe 303 down a second time when I'm using it on the interior.
 
Thanks for the pic. I think you are headed the right direction with the 303. For the exterior it holds up better, imho, than: <ul class='bbc'>[*] Vinylex[*] Mequiar's #40[*] Mother's back to black :down[/list]
 
I can't say enough good things about 303 Aerospace... I'm really impressed.

Here's a pic of my 330's interior with 303. The stuff works great on leather w/o making it slick. Lasts a long time, too... and almost no interior window haze.

BMW%20330i%20Interior%201.jpg

:xyxthumbs
 
Southern I use 303 or Zaino Tire Dressing on my cladding which well could cover your car and have some left over for a small YUGO.



I apply both the same with a foam applicator or Terry depending on my mood. I let it sit about 20 mins to and hour depending on what I am doing. Then I come back and buff out. I did not buff once and the stuff left drip marks. I highly recommend the buffing part.



For more shine add another coat prior to the buffing.
 
...at the risk of reopening the whole "clear-coated leather" debate, what (if anything) did you use on your leather before 303, and how do you compare the two?



I ask because I've been using the Lexol Cleaner followed by the Lexol conditioner. While I've been happy with the initial results, the leather seems to get dull pretty quickly (black leather). I was thinking about giving the 303 a shot.
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by DavidB [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>Here's a pic of my 330's interior with 303.
BMW%20330i%20Interior%201.jpg

:xyxthumbs [/b]</blockquote>
Good pic David. Here's a pic of an interior with Vinylex for comparison.

Vetint.gif
 
While 303 is an outstanding choice for the interior, I have found it to lack durability when you are asking it to perform on the exterior.



For exterior dressing I really like Zaino Z-16 Tire Gloss.:xyxthumbs I have a 2002 Ford Escape that is heavily clad with plastic trim, and the Z-16 is what I use on the trim as well as the door pulls and any other exterior trim. I have found it to surpass 303 for this application.



And even though the Vette is a garage queen, I use the Z-16 on that as well: door pulls, front air spoiler, outer door seals, etc.



And yes, it's even great on tires. :)
 
I applied 2 coats of Z tire dressing to the tires about 2 weeks ago.



One wash and several harsh showers later it almost looks like it did when I applied. It has lost a touch of satin but not much mainly where I have dirt on the tires.
 
On my black leather interior I use the Lexol conditioner and the next day top with 303. The Lexol conditions the leather and the 303 gives added sheen and most important UV protection. I love this 303 stuff!!

Thanks Ron K :bounce
 
inside and out.I agree with Guess and Artic on the durability of the Z-16 but it is to shinny for me.I like 303 because it has a great natural new shine look.The 303 can also be layered to get a shinner look if you like.



I have never tried Vinylex so can't comment on it.Maybe I did not buff the Z out well enough but after 2 full bottles I just stuck with the 303.Good luck and hope you find the look you like:up
 
SouthernBoy,



Mostly I use clear water to wipe down the interior. Since I started the car off with 303 when new, I did not have anything to remove. I have washed it down with the Pinnacle Leather Cleaner once... I dillute it in a bucket of water (one ounce or so in 3 gallons) and it worked great.



db
 
Your 3 -series leather is really holding up well. Most of the 3-series I see with leather look horibble. Great job upkeeping it with the 303....



I use 303 on my leatherette interior, here it is for comparison. For exterior trimmings I use 303, and zaino Z16. Z-16 lasts longer and I used it in summer because it takes longer to dry, in the winter I use 303 because it dries faster, but doesn't have the durability of Z-16....close though.



<img src=http://www.fototime.com/D3EE57EF8245E02/standard.jpg>
 
SouthernBoy,

Your 850R is breathtaking. I’ve a ’95 850 Turbo. It hasn’t been taken care of (detailing wise) all these years. The car has a lot of hair scratches, a few door dings and paint chips. The black plastic moldings on the front and rear bumpers are also fading. I clayed, polished and waxed it about month ago. Although it has decent shine now, most of the hair scratches are still visible upon close inspection. I plan to try Meguiar’s SR 2.0 or maybe 3M Fineesse-it II next time.



BTW, I’ve used Vinylex on the black plastic moldings on the Volvo. They do hide the faded color pretty well but they’re definitely not very durable as you have stated. I have to treat them after every wash. I just bought a bottle of 303 several weeks ago. I applied it on the exterior moldings on my other vehicle. Like other have said, it is less glossy than the Vinylex. Durability wise, I think it is about the same as the Vinylex. I’ve also used Meguiar’s Natural Shine Protectant before. They seem to be more durable than the above two products. Hmmm, maybe I should do a little test on my rear bumper and try all three products on the bumper and see which one last the longest.



Kenneth
 
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