303 Protectant - What do YOU use it for?

[Johnny Law]

Alright, so I finally bought some 303 aerospace protectant from Better Truck Care when he was running his 10% off sale. I've heard nothing but good things about this product, but I was wondering what you guys use it for. I know what it's use is, but what specifically do YOU use it for? Dashboards, detailing engines, stuff like that. It's a little too expensive for me to be shooting it on my tires. TIA

[Buzzard]

A place that you should NOT use 303 (or any other of this type of dressing) MOTORCYCLE TIRES. Didnt know that til yesterday (I guess I should have figured that out for myself, but I didnt). Makes um slick---dont want slick motorcycle tires. ---Buzz

[RockyMtnRay]

Originally Posted by Johnny Law

Alright, so I finally bought some 303 aerospace protectant from Better Truck Care when he was running his 10% off sale. I've heard nothing but good things about this product, but I was wondering what you guys use it for. I know what it's use is, but what specifically do YOU use it for? Dashboards, detailing engines, stuff like that. It's a little too expensive for me to be shooting it on my tires. TIA

Actually, protecting the tire sidewalls is precisely why I bought a bottle of 303. It's a far, far better protectant for the sidewalls than any of the "tire gloss" chemicals sold by the auto stores...and leaves a nice soft satin glow instead of the cheesy/oily wet look. I spritz a little on each tire (and buff it off after a 5 minute soak in time per the directions) as the final step in my truck washing routine. The sidewalls on my Michelins still look brand new.

I also use it on all the black plastic trim (e.g. around the bed, side door bump protectors, mirror mounts, etc.) Did use it once on the dashboard. I also use it regularly on my Peragon tonneau cover (see my pics). I've yet to to even clean, much less detail my truck's engine...it's a bit dusty but not even close to dirty. Oh, and I also use it on the tires of both of my motorcycles.

Even on the tires, if you follow the directions it takes very little of the stuff to get a good protectant film. So I've gone through a bit less than a quart over the course of a year or so.

[atrdnut]

Originally Posted by Buzzard

A place that you should NOT use 303 (or any other of this type of dressing) MOTORCYCLE TIRES. Didnt know that til yesterday (I guess I should have figured that out for myself, but I didnt). Makes um slick---dont want slick motorcycle tires. ---Buzz

I believe there's a disclaimer on the side of the bottle. At least there's one on all the armor-all bottles. Something along the lines of "do not put on motorcycle tires, bicycle tires, steering wheels, gas/brake pedals, etc."

[RockyMtnRay]

Originally Posted by Buzzard

A place that you should NOT use 303 (or any other of this type of dressing) MOTORCYCLE TIRES. Didnt know that til yesterday (I guess I should have figured that out for myself, but I didnt). Makes um slick---dont want slick motorcycle tires. ---Buzz

I've had zero problems with carefully using 303 on the sidewalls of my MC tires. Yeah, you don't want get any of it on the tread area but putting 303 on the tread of any tire is pretty much useless.

[peid]

Originally Posted by RockyMtnRay

I've had zero problems with carefully using 303 on the sidewalls of my MC tires. Yeah, you don't want get any of it on the tread area but putting 303 on the tread of any tire is pretty much useless.

Off Topic, but looking at your gallery and not seeing a bike, what brand of bike do you ride Ray?

[DevinSixtySeven]

tires, tires and tires. i actually used armor all on the oem tires (about five months of use), then switched to winter tires (about four months of use) and used 303. the oems were brown when i put them back on, the difference was striking. the winter tires on the other hand were satiny black when i traded them in.

i use 303 on everything. mainly tires, but also on the door seals and trim, the plastic body trim, bumper trim, interior, and under the hood. a gallon lasted a year with regular heavy treatment of the entire truck. tires and engine, i spray and leave it...i dont bother buffing it around. for the trim and whatnot, i spray a little on a clean microfiber towel and apply.

-sean

[motoretro]

Use it all the time on my Extang Tonneau cover. 5 years old and still looks new, Good stuff.
Motoretro

[RockyMtnRay]

Originally Posted by peid

Off Topic, but looking at your gallery and not seeing a bike, what brand of bike do you ride Ray?

Actually still on topic considering that both of them are 1982 models and neither is ridden very often so protection from UV (especially tires) is important.

Specifically I have this Kawasaki KZ1100 touring machine that came with the factory installed color matched Vetter 'dresser" package (fairing, saddlebags, travel trunk). I bought it brand new in '84 (a holdover model) and have it kept it looking pretty good for all those years through a combination of garaging and/or covering it and proper care.

The other bike is this Honda XL250 road/trail bike that I got my hands on just last fall. The previous owners had taken very good care of it and I'm going to do so as well. I consider this bike my Tundra "extender"...I'll be taking it with me (in the truck bed) on camping trips to get to hiking/climbing trailheads over forest trails that I don't want to beat up the Tundra on...or that are too narrow for the truck. My truck has to be able to tow my trailer home at the end of a trip so its role in life is specifically toy hauler and tow vehicle.

[fatcat777]

putting protectant on motorcycle tires can be bad. I've heard stories of people glossing the sidewalls, it can sling off onto the brakes.

[RockyMtnRay]

Originally Posted by fatcat777

putting protectant on motorcycle tires can be bad. I've heard stories of people glossing the sidewalls, it can sling off onto the brakes.

The correct way is to use only enough to wet the sidewall...then after 5 minutes of soak-in time, every bit of remaining surface liquid is to be buffed off. Done correctly, there is nothing, nada, none left to sling off onto the tread or brakes. The tire sidewall should be completely dry when finished. 303 is not to be used as a gloss like the "wet look" tire dressings.

The problem is neither the use of the product on motorcycle tires nor the product itself but rather the inability of some people to read and follow application directions.

[sequoiasoon]

Both vehicles: Tires (winter an regular), Interior everywhere (wipe on with applicator, wipe excess dry after about 5-10 minutes with dry microfiber) looks great no glare, engine detailing, all black trim (except running boards) door seals.

Home: Grill cover, kids plastic slide, wheelbarrow tire, Snowblower plastic and tires, lawnmower plastic, Plastic holiday decorations. For all these the dirt and evrything else comes off real easy and they all look new. My neighbor started using it after replacing his grill cover the second time. We both bought Webers with covers at the same time and both sit out all the time. I'm still on original cover and spray it twice a year.

[Johnny Law]

Thanks for all the great responses guys. Looks like I should have invested in a gallon!

[sequoiasoon]

Originally Posted by Johnny Law

Thanks for all the great responses guys. Looks like I should have invested in a gallon!

I bought a gallon and somewhere here in TS I posted price. I think I bought it from Performance Products cheaper than all the detailing sites.

[Johnny Law]

Originally Posted by sequoiasoon

I bought a gallon and somewhere here in TS I posted price. I think I bought it from Performance Products cheaper than all the detailing sites.

Is
THIS the post? I'm going to look into a gallon price soon, after I get a new battery (priorities don't you know)

**EDIT** went to PerformanceProducts and it's $43.96 a gallon.