303 Protectant

(snowfire) · (snowfire) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 05-06-2006, 10:54 AM

Anybody use 303 on their boat? I just picked up a new ride and want to keep it tip top. Any suggestions on cleaner/protectants?

(airrantz) · (airrantz) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 05-06-2006, 11:06 AM

Magic eraser for cleaning vinyl, 303 for protecting it. Don't ask me how the magic erasers work, but my vinyl looks like new it just sucks up all the dirt that gets locked into the texture of the interior. I also use 303 on the dash and all interior gel, an all in one wax on the hull, and wipe the hull down with 50/50 water vinegar mix after every time out.

(wakedad33) · (wakedad33) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 05-06-2006, 3:34 PM

Where do you find 303, i've been looking for it but can't find it in OR.

(three6ty) · (three6ty) **Join Date: Feb 2004** 05-06-2006, 3:48 PM

you can get a gallon of it on ebay shipped for like $50. The stuff is super expensive in the stores.
Thrust me once you start using it you will not stop. The stuff is amazing.

(soak_up_the_sun)

We buy ours at Ace Hardware. They didn't stock it, but I asked and they ordered it in for us. About $12 per bottle.
Might check if you have an Ace close by.
Ryan, what do you suppose makes those magic erasers work so well? They are awesome! Kind of freaky, actually.

(snowfire) · (snowfire) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 05-06-2006, 7:13 PM

I have purchased it at G.I. Joes before, it's in their marine section.

(nautyboy) · (nautyboy) **Join Date: Apr 2005** 05-06-2006, 9:02 PM

303 is the Bomb!

Visit their website for details on how to use it.

http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=protectant

(yosquire) · (yosquire) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 05-07-2006, 7:11 AM

It it only the 303 Aerospace Protectant that people use? Or does anyone use the Fabric cleaner or Cleaner & Spot Remover?

How about Vinyl Conditioners, are there any products people use before applying 303?

(I'm new to the world of actually protecting vinyl, with my I/Os, I didn't care, now with a real boat I care)

(joe_788) · (joe_788) **Join Date: Aug 2003** 05-07-2006, 7:53 AM

I've used the 303 Cleaner before for my interior, and it's pretty much the same as water. Completely worthless.

On the other hand, the protectant seems to work very well.

If you want your vinyl to look like new, get some Fantastik, two boxes of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, and an entire afternoon of labor. You won't believe how dirty your vinyl was until you see how clean it can really be.

(deltawake) · (deltawake) **Join Date: Sep 2004** 05-07-2006, 8:04 AM

Try Babes Seat Saver. It is a new product this year. It is like 303 but without the silicone component. The silicone leaves the seats very slippery. Babes leaves the vinyl feeling very soft and supple. It has equal UV protection to 303, and is a very nice poduct. It's also a bit less expensive than 303. All of Babe's products are great. www.babesboats.com

(Message edited by deltawake on May 07, 2006)

(nautyboy) · (nautyboy) **Join Date: Apr 2005** 05-07-2006, 11:13 AM

Deltawake - 303 aerospace protectant does not have silicone or any other solvents or mineral oil based products in it. Does Babes have any of this stuff in it? If so, it is not good for your vinyl, as it will cause it to dry and crack over time.

303 is the only protectant recommended by the major boat companies for a reason, it is the best.

(jayc) · (jayc) **Join Date: Sep 2002** 05-07-2006, 12:23 PM

I think you'll find 303 does have silicone in it.

Its still a great product though.

(nautyboy) · (nautyboy) **Join Date: Apr 2005** 05-07-2006, 11:49 PM

From the Website:

Safe for rubber, plastic, glass and paint. DOES NOT CONTAIN Silicone Oils or Petroleum Distillates.

For More Info:

http://www.303products.com/tech/pdfs/lifesavingprotectant.pdf

(talltigeguy) · (talltigeguy) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 05-08-2006, 7:08 AM

I use 303 on both the seats and gelcoat. It is the bomb!

(ripr) · (ripr) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 05-08-2006, 10:18 AM

Speaking of Magic Eraser from Mr. Clean. A buddy and I were talking about what's in it and what isn't....apparently, there's NOTHING in it. It's simply a sponge with very dense porosity.

bocephus 05-08-2006, 10:23 AM

Cheap Magic Erasers:
http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/261816.html?1130196926

(derek_h) · (derek_h) **Join Date: Oct 2004** 05-08-2006, 10:36 AM

303 is the best vinyl protecter hands down!!! My uncle is a major car acessories distributor and says that 303 is the choice of most car experts as well. I have been using this stuff for years and it works great.

(patoloco) · (patoloco) **Join Date: May 2002** 05-08-2006, 11:04 AM

2nd the Ace Hardware for 303..

Also...if you have a Target store nearby, they sell their own knockoff brand of magic erasers for quite a bit less.....I've put both side by side and they are exactly the same.

(macrogpx2) · (macrogpx2) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 05-08-2006, 11:16 AM

So it is great on vinyl, but what about the hull? On thier website it claims to be better than wax, has anyone tried it, opinions? Also i heard it is bad on black gelcoat, if so what do you reccomend. Any help is great, thanks.

(eubanks01) · (eubanks01) **Join Date: Jun 2001** 05-08-2006, 11:55 AM

Any word on where to get this "high density foam" of the Magic Erasers in Dallas?

(taylormade) · (taylormade) **Join Date: Jun 2001** 05-08-2006, 1:10 PM

It's great on the hull, too, but it leaves it VERY slippery. I've busted my ass several times trying to get in or off the boat after having detailed the boat with 303.

debsxstar 05-08-2006, 4:29 PM

bought some of this 303 protectant and wiped down a section of my black gel coat on my MC and it left streaks?? Am i doing something wrong??

(troyl) · (troyl) **Join Date: Feb 2002** 05-08-2006, 9:17 PM

No....You just used a little too much. By tomorrow most of it will be absorbed and you can polish it up.

(nautyboy) · (nautyboy) **Join Date: Apr 2005** 05-09-2006, 7:31 AM

Debbie, go to the 303 website and look under fiberglass applications. It has tons of good info. and talks about streaks, etc. It should answer all of your questions.

(mcx2ryd) · (mcx2ryd) **Join Date: Sep 2005** 05-14-2006, 2:56 PM

Anyone use this stuff on a black hull? Just seeing what your results were. I am thinking of using it on my black truck. Is that a good idea? Does it work on the outside of vehicles?

(boarditup) · (boarditup) **Join Date: Jan 2004** 05-14-2006, 6:54 PM

Difficult on black. Works great, but a lot of work to get rid of the streaks. I waxed the black on my boat and used 303 on the rest.

(twakess) · (twakess) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 05-14-2006, 9:55 PM

Every time I come home. I use a bucket of hot water with a 1/2 table spoon of dish soap and wipe the seats down. Than apply 303 once a month. Than every 6 months I use Meguiar's HEAVY DUTY VINYL CLEANER #39 with a soft srub brush and then wipe with hot water.

Option #1 As for the haul I use Meguiar's Quick Clean Marine #52 and wipe it down when we are done for the day. Or I will use white vingar and water mixed 50/50. I will then wax the boat every two weeks with Meguiar's Quick Wax #59.

Option #2 Or for the haul every time you pull the boat out you can use EAGLE ONE WAX AS-U-DRY spray it on and wipe it off. You can get the EGAL ONE at a Walmart or a Kreagon. Its a blue spray bottle.

Option 1 and 2 are both good. I think option #1 leaves the boat slicker and better looking but also takes more time.

My boat is a 2001 SAN and I got her on DEC 5, 2000 and she still looks like the day I got her.

I also use my boat 4 to 5 days a week from May till Oct. Unless I am out on a friends boats for a day.

I will have some of my guys I ride with to let you know how the boat looks.

Ya call me a clean freak or tweaker but I belive if I take care of her good she will take care of me out there on the water.

I never told anyone but the more you rub on your boat the more tricks you will learn and land. Just like a lamp but she is a 2001 SAN.

Oh ya congrats and take care of her and she will take care of you.

(hillbilly) · (hillbilly) **Join Date: Aug 2002** 05-17-2006, 3:22 AM

I will vouge for Squid's boat....A 10 if I ever saw one....How much you want for it Squid? Trade straight across for my 2001 !!!

(twitch) · (twitch) **Join Date: Dec 2004** 05-17-2006, 11:05 AM

do you guys use the same stuff for the vinyl and the gel coat or are they diffrent bottles?

(deuce) · (deuce) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 05-17-2006, 12:52 PM

Same stuff.... 303 protectant.

Could not agree more with what Squid said..

Upload

(deuce) · (deuce) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 05-17-2006, 12:54 PM

Buy it in the gallon.....don't waste your time or money with the bottle.

(talltigeguy) · (talltigeguy) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 05-17-2006, 2:17 PM

Debbie,

I think you will get less streaking on a darke gelcoat if you mix the 303 half and half with water. Even on my red boat, their are some streaks when I first put it on, but after the first wipedown, it is beautiful.

(fyrdawg29) · (fyrdawg29) **Join Date: Mar 2006** 05-17-2006, 7:38 PM

I swear by 303....

(brucemac) · (brucemac) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 05-18-2006, 10:00 AM

huh, i just picked some up for my interior. i had no idea you could use on firberglass. does this shine up better than polish? guess i'll find out tomorrow.

(mike_gilbert) · (mike_gilbert) **Join Date: Sep 2004** 05-18-2006, 7:00 PM

I use starbrite to clean my vinyl, I have used the 3M Vinyl Cleaner, Magic Erasers and starbrite works better than those in my opinion. I then use 303 to protect my vinyl.

(twitch) · (twitch) **Join Date: Dec 2004** 05-18-2006, 10:12 PM

add another to the 303 masses... bought a bottle the other day and the NEW vinyl looks even newer now

(morgs) · (morgs) **Join Date: Nov 2005** 05-18-2006, 11:53 PM

Hey Mike,

Can you post up a little more detail on the starbrite please? Specifically what product/cleaning method etc?

Many thanks in advance.