TW85
Evidence Seeker
303 is definitely a pricey product and with how often I use it on tires/wheel wells, I need to find an alternative. Boater's World is the least expensive local retailer at about $18 for 32 ounces.
Interior dressing - 303 Aerospace Protectant vs PBs Natural Look
- Thread starter rodeo-clown
- Start date
SilverLexus
Super Enthusiast
303 is a great product and the one I have settled on for my car. I like to use Cockpit Premium as cleaner for periodic interior work. I has a nice fresh smell as well.
TheSopranos16
New member
rodeo-clown said:
Well I like and use both. From what I know and from what I have heard other say, no product has UV protection that can equal 303's. So, if that is a top concern for you, I would definately suggest using 303. Not that NL doesn't have UV protection (it does), but 303 is really known for it. As far as gloss is concerned, both products can produce a matte or high gloss finish depending upon how heavily you apply them and how much you buff them off. But keep in mind that when you buff off the product to create a matte finish, you are reducing the amount of product from the surface (obviously). So less product means less UV protection. Here is a quick summary of the two products...
303: Best UV protection available. Not Greasy. Not scented. Variable level of shine depending on application. No Cleaners. Relatively Expensive.
Natural Look: Good UV protection. Not Greasy. Cherry Scent. Moderate cleaning ability. Variable level of shine. Relatively Cheap.
I really don't consider price on a product like this only because you use so little of it each time you dress your upholstery. So if 303 costs 50 cents per use instead of 25 cents per use for a different product, who cares? The difference in price is too small for me to factor it into chosing a product.
Hope this helps
Proper use of 303
Several references have been made to the various buffing processes used. I thought it might be of some benefit to repost the e-mail I received from 303 when I asked about streaking and running.
From 303:
"Some spray 303 on a cloth and wipe it on and, seeing 303's terrific cosmetics, leave it. Others use the same cloth in wiping a large area and end up not drying, but leaving the treated surface damp with 303. One cannot completely dry a treated area by finishing with a cloth damp with 303. At some point one has
to turn the cloth over to a dry area to finish the drying or go to a
second dry cloth to finish the drying. This is similar to cleaning your glasses, you can't get the job done with a damp cloth, you have to turn it over to a dry area. By the way, 303 A. Protectant will NOT air dry.
These folks leave unabsorbed, un-bonded excess 303 polymer on the surface. This excess polymer after the water evaporates out retains a dampness. Though the treated surface may look great, it has little repellency and dust will stick to it. And when it rains this "washes off" and will streak surfaces below. Typically where 303 receives the most calls about this has to do with tonneau covers.
If the product is applied according to directions, sprayed on and wiped completely dry, it leaves a super repellent finish (to dirt, dust, tree sap, bird droppings) and LASTS LONGER. It will NOT wash off onto other surfaces.
Anyone can easily see this for themselves by treating a piece of vinyl, formica, stainless steel sink, gelcoat fiberglass, the EPDM rubber seals used on car doors and trunks, etc.
FYI, a little extra enthusiasm in the drying/buffing of the treated
surface with a DRY cloth causes the surface to become even more repellent and to last even longer.
Here's a link to more info about the vinyl application, once here click on and read the "blue" brochure. For even more information on vinyl, click on and read Tech Facts Vol. II - Vinyl (same page):
www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=techfacts
Tires....tires are more absorbent, application a little different. On
the above link, click on and read: Tech Facts Vol. 1 - Why Are Tires Black?.
At the bottom of this volume, you'll find Tips For Tires, goes into
proper application for treating tires to protectant against warranty sidewall failure, for maximum and longest lasting cosmetic effects."
303 is not a spray on and wipe product. It is supposed to be buffed off for best results.
Charles
Several references have been made to the various buffing processes used. I thought it might be of some benefit to repost the e-mail I received from 303 when I asked about streaking and running.
From 303:
"Some spray 303 on a cloth and wipe it on and, seeing 303's terrific cosmetics, leave it. Others use the same cloth in wiping a large area and end up not drying, but leaving the treated surface damp with 303. One cannot completely dry a treated area by finishing with a cloth damp with 303. At some point one has
to turn the cloth over to a dry area to finish the drying or go to a
second dry cloth to finish the drying. This is similar to cleaning your glasses, you can't get the job done with a damp cloth, you have to turn it over to a dry area. By the way, 303 A. Protectant will NOT air dry.
These folks leave unabsorbed, un-bonded excess 303 polymer on the surface. This excess polymer after the water evaporates out retains a dampness. Though the treated surface may look great, it has little repellency and dust will stick to it. And when it rains this "washes off" and will streak surfaces below. Typically where 303 receives the most calls about this has to do with tonneau covers.
If the product is applied according to directions, sprayed on and wiped completely dry, it leaves a super repellent finish (to dirt, dust, tree sap, bird droppings) and LASTS LONGER. It will NOT wash off onto other surfaces.
Anyone can easily see this for themselves by treating a piece of vinyl, formica, stainless steel sink, gelcoat fiberglass, the EPDM rubber seals used on car doors and trunks, etc.
FYI, a little extra enthusiasm in the drying/buffing of the treated
surface with a DRY cloth causes the surface to become even more repellent and to last even longer.
Here's a link to more info about the vinyl application, once here click on and read the "blue" brochure. For even more information on vinyl, click on and read Tech Facts Vol. II - Vinyl (same page):
www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=techfacts
Tires....tires are more absorbent, application a little different. On
the above link, click on and read: Tech Facts Vol. 1 - Why Are Tires Black?.
At the bottom of this volume, you'll find Tips For Tires, goes into
proper application for treating tires to protectant against warranty sidewall failure, for maximum and longest lasting cosmetic effects."
303 is not a spray on and wipe product. It is supposed to be buffed off for best results.
Charles
Mark Waldron
Professional Detailer
303 can be purchased for $41.95 at Top of The Line. This is the gallon size and I have found no where else that has a better price. I used to use 303 exclusively, but now I use it only on boat interiors and door gaskets.For all other dressing applications, I use Stoners Trim Shine. The cost is $55.00 for 5 gallons and the shipping is always free. I was very hesitant about switching to Trim Shine after using 303 for so long, but I really like the look it gives and the price cannot be beat.
For a natural finish high in UV protection, you may want to try RaggTopp Vinyl Protectant. This is a well engineered product. RaggTopp has very high UV protection. It claims to have 15% in solids. Any more would cause it to gel up. They resell to auto manufacturers and go through rigorous testing. Recently did a car where the owner wanted a natural finish on the interior. I turned to RaggTopp for the answer and was not disappointed.
I have also mixed RaggTopp with 303 for an in between look. 303 is a great product, and expensive (as is RaggTopp) on the surface (no pun intended), but when you get down to cost per application it should not matter much.
I have also mixed RaggTopp with 303 for an in between look. 303 is a great product, and expensive (as is RaggTopp) on the surface (no pun intended), but when you get down to cost per application it should not matter much.
Woob
New member
I think in some description that VRT has SPF 65 in it. Either way, I would say its so dang easy to use and non messy or dangerous to use. But it really depends on where you use it. NL has worked okay for me, but I have not used it alot at all. Whatever floats your boat!