Hi Everyone,

New year new car....I have been using Aerospace 303 for a bit and was wondering if there is any issues using this on the exterior plastic areas around the wheels, along the bottom of the doors, wind shield washer areas, roof rails?

I live in New Mexico in the high desert so I like the UV protection offered in 303 is why I would like to use it.

Any thoughts?

I have checked out the other threads but looking for your thoughts especially since we live at 6000' elevation and tons of sun.

Thanks!

Mike

 

I've been using 303 protectant on my mini since day 1. I also use it on all the interior plastic. thus far nothing bad and only good things to say about 303.

I also use it on my other cars and have been doing so for the last 6 years. My friend came over and we detailed his car (1991 civic) and he was shocked at how new all his plastic (interior and exterior) looked after using 303.


I now use 303 on the minis exterior every other month and once every 4-5months on the interior bits. One thing I do is after applying 303 with a sponge, I will let it sit for a few hours. Then come back with a dry cotton cloth and buff out the plastic. that seems to make everything shine and reduces the wet look (also feels wet, which i dislike).

 

BW is your answer for exterior plastics.

 

Thanks Mellow much appreciated. I have 2 bottles of 303 that I have used on my boat and other cars so was wondering what folks had as far as experiences with 303 on the mini!

Kenchan not sure what BW is...are you referring to Black Wow?

 

 

I was a big user for 303 protectant before I tried black Wow. One use and I was a convert. I still use 303 on smooth rubber, but BW on most everything else.

 

I use Black Wow too. It works and looks great but I HATE how when I'm using a quick detailer like Z-6 my microfiber rag will pick up some residue from the Black Wow and start to leave little marks on my paint making me have to buff them off. I haven't tried 303 on my exterior yet, but I'm betting my rag won't pick up that sticky Black Wow when quick detailing.

 

303 is great stuff!
Haven't tried the BW mainly cause the 303 works so well. I live in the same kind of area as the op lives in......high desert.

Best trick for applying it to the exterior bits is to use a foam paint brush about the same size as the wheel trim and just "paint" on the protectant.

 

Black Wow on exterior here. Use Nero or 303 on the interior. Rockridge, do you do the step where you wipe it down after. I usually wipe and the spray with water and wipe again.

 

I've used 303 on the interior since I got my car in 2004. It looks brand new today, so I'm not going to stop (even though the interior smells a little gross for a day or 2 after application).

I like Adam's VRT for the exterior, but Black Wow is everything people say it is. Three years from now, when my Adam's bottle is empty, maybe I'll switch!

 

Black wow will repel different types of car wax from sticking. It dissolves when applied and dissolves, from what I have seen, when recently applied and then you wax and goof.

overall? it takes a darn long time to put on. It holds a lot of dust and road grime if over applied, its easy to over apply. After a wash though, it balances out and nothing does look better, that's for certain.

303 on interior everything except clear things. I use Plexus for that, the ruler of all fake chrome and clear plastic. 303 does smell odd, but really, it works so well at preserving and enhancing finish, it's a slight draw back. I always first start with Griot's interior cleaner. Of all of them, this is the most thorough at removing old anything and dirt safely. Too bad I use stuff from 4 different companies. If I garaged my car I would use Prima Nero as my friends say it looks nicer. 303 has a 30 day UV 100% protection garauntee, and a 60 day 50% or greater protection. Not one word about that from any other company.

 

BW is easy to apply if you are going to wash the car. just apply pretty rich and just wash the car.

if you're like me and rarely wash your car but do mostly QD, you can QD the BW applied trim to remove excess.

in fact, i go over BW with Griot's SprayOn Wax. works very well to remove excess and to keep it static free.

after 2-3 drives, i spray SprayOn wax on the arches and just wipe down the dust with my DP MF platinum towels. been great the last few years.

 

Not sure I understand the spray with water and wipe again. Is this for BW or 303?

 

Rockridge, BW (or your could do it before you wash)

 

I'd like join the chorus in praise of BW. Makes the textured black trim look like new. 303 for the interior..good stuff as well. Gives a natural sheen to the dash without being too shiny and offers superior UV protection.

 

Might have to try the BW in the future...until then it is the 303 for me! I use the 303 on the engine hoses and plastic in the engine compartment in my Jetta and Jeep.

Does anyone use 303 on your Mini's engine compartment? If not what do you use on it?

 

I use 303 on all my cars engine compartment, tires, exterior trim, interior plastics. only thing i use on plastic/rubber.

 

Hmmm. I have always applied it after the wash, and just buff it with a clean MF towel. I will have try a pre-wash application to see if it looks better. Thanks.

 

There are different ways to apply Black Wow.

For maximum durability you should do it after a wash and let it soak and penetrate the plastic before rinsing or wiping dry.

For highly oxidized plastic (faded), let the BW soak for hours as the plastic will literally drink all of the BW. You want to apply it until its saturated. For newer plastic that isn't severely oxidized you can just apply it and wipe it dry without waiting.


I have a forum setup for Black Wow questions
http://www.showcardetailing.com/foru...play.php?f=109

Dust attraction can occur when the BW is still wet and hasn't soaked in which can happen from applying too much BW or if it hasn't been wiped down after application completion.

I put Black Wow on some door handle pulls on my MR2. The face of the handles were white. A few dabs and it was several times darker. After 3 weeks, it's dry to the touch and still as dark as the day I applied it (it was dry to the touch the next day). I'm going to apply some more to see if I can get even better results before I post the results.

 

This makes a lot of sense. I should read up on how to rinse it off afterwards. that would help!

It is the most permanent of conditioners.

 

Does BW have some sort of pigment in it? Can I get rid of gray hair with it lol. I'm sure it's got some sort of petroleum in it.

 

Nope！ No dyes or pigments involved. The results are the same for any color plastic. For your grey hair you will need a dye! As for being petroleum based also a definite no on that. It's silicone based. My father, the chemist, is sitting right here LOL.


Richard

 

303 does work, but does not last anywhere as long as BW.

Mark

 

I like 303 for my vinyl stripes. Everything else gets BW on the exterior, and Nero on the interior.

I just 303ed all the patio furniture though

 

The Black wow difference that OctaneGuy showed really is a HUGE difference.....I may have to get some for Clubbie!