Well, I have to say I am a new convert to this 303 Aerospace Protectant I've heard so much praise about.

I got the free samples from their website, but I wanted to buy it local if possible instead of ordering it online.

Then I used my free samples. WOW! This stuff is great because it gives the "NEW" shine without the greasiness that attracts dust. In addition, it actually protects against UV breakdown like sunscreen, which nothing else does.

None of the local automotive stores had a clue, and I didn't think it could be bought locally--then I got a tip:

Boating supply stores! They have it in stock. Boater's World has 16oz and 32oz sized spray bottles. (They also have the fabric guard, but I don't have a convertible so I don't need that).

Previously, I used the Zaino tire gloss which is nice, but very greasy.

Here are my wheels:


And trim:

 

Sweet Car!

 

Those wheels just blow me away. Shiny cars are fairly easy, but keeping wheels looking that good is very, very hard.

 

Looks awesome, Tarzan!

Here's a hint...paint your rotor hats (the part between the shiny rotors and where the wheels bolt on) to match your wheels. It will look better and make them MUCH easier to clean! It doesn't get "that" hot but use a heat resistant paint available at any auto parts store. Grey or silver, even matte black looks better than the stock nasty look! Just another little detail!

 

Thanks for the compliment, guys.

It is true that keeping our wheels clean is almost a full-time job. One of the reasons I got rid of the S-Lites was because I tossed and turned all night thinking about the grime building up behind the spokes that I couldn't reach.

In addition to the fact that I just LOVE the look of 5-spoke wheels, the JCW wheels are very strong. Unlike the S-Lites, the spokes are not hollow from behind--they're closed in. Each time I wash the wheels, I wash the backside of each spoke and I can reach my entire wash mit inside to clean them properly.

Great suggestion about painting those areas of the rotors. When I painted the calipers, I did NOT want the rotors to have red anywhere on them. It never occurred to me to paint them matte or silver--thanks!

 

Hey I picked up 303 at a local hot tub showroom. It was a buck or two more expensive but if you want it now it is worth it. Nice Ride

 

Tarzan your MCS looks great I love those wheels.

I used 303 on the outside trim, but it did not last as long as the Meguiars Gold class trim detailer, I now use. Same look, lasts for over a month, but I apply it more often than that.

I just finnished doing the interior today with 303, I love that stuff.

 

I use 303 on the inside, but BradB put me onto Meguiars #40 for the exterior... it last 2 to 3 times longer and still has that nice low-gloss black look.

 

wow.. nice shine.

 

I've heard that the Meguiars products are nice and long-lasting.

The 303 Aerospace stuff provides UV protection to keep the rubber beneath from fading and drying out. It does so by creating a "sacrificial" layer that is consumed by the UV bombardment, rather than the rubber/plastic/vinyl beneath.

If you've ever seen an old tire in the junkyard that is dried out, brittle, and turned white/powdery, and has dry-rot cracks, it is due to being basically cooked by UV rays.

According to 303, using the wrong protectant product is worse than using no treatment product at all. Avoid products that contain any type of oil, have an oily or greasy feeling, contain petroleum distillates, or leave a coating that dries like wax. If a product label says "flammable or contains petroleum distillates," do not use.

If all of this is true, (and I've bought into this) then it is effective in giving a spectacular new, dark, but not oily finish that repells dust AND protecting from the bleaching effect of the sun's ultraviolet rays, if applied regularly, such as whenever you wash your car.

 

I love zaino tire gloss, if I didn't still have a big bottle I would probably just use 303 to have one less thing in my bucket of stuff. But I wouldn't call it greasy! Have you used the usual tire cleaners? THOSE are greasy. Zaino is pretty much like watered down milk.

 

kewl 303 thread!

FWIW, Meguiar's #40 has UV protection, if you can believe the label. Number 40 was one of the few "right" choices of products that I made right out of the box - a fact of which I am somewhat proud, lol.

The 303 stuff looks like a good multi-use product AND I have connections in the recreational watercraft business, so I s'pose I'll be hitting them up for a couple jugs of 303 (nice tip, that). I really like when you can do multiple things with one product. Whether or not they are real, my "perceived" savings from not having to buy a whole array of different products with very specific applications, speaks right to my (tightwad) heart.

Tatt

 

I've used 303 on the dash, inside door trim and outside wheel moldings. Very pleased with results. Actually, I'm going to apply another coat in a few min.
Also did wife's CR-V wheel and trim moldings, spare tire cover and inside trim. Pleased there also except, a little to glossy on the CR-V dash for my taste.

 

I have a 95 Miata in addition to the kids

Miata has a really great owners club and had a mag', altho when the new model came out I stopped my sub' so can't say it is still there, or good.

But I digress.

Years ago they recommended only two products for the black (plastic) top.

303 protectant
Zymol Vinyl Conditioner

I used both rather interchangably for a little while then settled on Zymol

The top on my 95 - which sees a lot of sun - still looks great.

When I use this on my MINI, the trim looks great - best thing is I get no run off after the first rain, and when used inside I don't develop the window haze I see from everything else (if I follow the directions).

It is impossible to find - not like the Zymol cheapo stuff they have started to market in the warehouse clubs - and expensive as hell. I always order via the web.

But it works GREAT

(no affiliation)

 

Tarzan

Can you bring your 303 to the AutoFair. I would like to check it out.

They might have it for sale there.

Thanks
George

 

Will do!

 

Check out RV supply stores for 303. I got a gallon of the stuff at Camping World several years ago.

 

:smile: For people in SoCal, West Marine carries 303. That's where I bought mine!


Clover

 

303 makes a bunch of cool products and was giving away samples (albeit tiny ones) just a month or so ago. There was a thread here with the details.

I like the 303 protectant for the interior and love the 303 aerospace cleaner (straight for hard-core grease or diluted 1:10 with water for general cleaning). They also make a fabric cleaner and a fabric protectant that do a great job for convertable tops and lawn furniture.

I also like the 303 wiper conditioner pads and I'm going to get some of their washer fluid tabs the next time I order from autopia.

 

All,

Take a look here, REI stocks it for kayak care. Might be seasonal item as such, drifting off shelves in the off-season.

YMMV.

 

I have a question...and maybe its a bit newb-ish

I usually use mother's back to black....but it always turns a bright gray after a few days. Is this because of the back to black? Would switching to 303 help me? (my arches are now 3 years old, and only look black after a day or two past washing)

 

That sounds like a pretty good reason to find something else to put on those arches to me.

They are probably gray because all their oils have been sapped out of them and they've been cooked by uv rays.

303 "claims" that it can restore faded vinyl/plastic but since mine is only 8 months old, and well-cared for, I'm not qualified to give actual testimony to that.

The "spats" as they are called, are actually very cheap to buy. Each piece only costs $15-20 dollars.