303 -- Soaks into vinyl or evaporates?

(fbroen) · (fbroen) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 03-09-2004, 12:32 PM

Here's a question for you chemists or fabric experts.

When you 303 seat cushions and leave the 303 on there thick, if left alone over night they will be very nice in the morning, but not nearly as much 303 will be left on there. Did the 303 soak in (and there is a point of doing another layer) or did some evaporate? Does anything really soak into vinyl?

tommyadrian5 03-09-2004, 12:58 PM

Fredrik, i think 303 is just a silicon based cleaner/conditioner, i don't know if there is any advantage to leaving it on overnight. I've always just sprayed it on thick and wiped it off, you can tell that a layer of it stays behind even when you wipe it off.

(boarditup) · (boarditup) **Join Date: Jan 2004** 03-09-2004, 12:59 PM

Most is lost to evaporation. Some does "soak" into the vinyl. It is actually creating a coat layer in the relatively porus surface.

303 is the only stuff to use on your vinyl. For boat vinyl do not use Armor All. It is silicone based and will react with the vinyl when exposed to sunlight. OK for rubber, though.

(fbroen) · (fbroen) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 03-09-2004, 1:22 PM

Yeah, I love the stuff. I never really wipe it off since it pretty much takes care of itself. Was just curious if it does soak in too, and I guess it does -- at least partly. Thanks.

(bdavis) · (bdavis) **Join Date: Sep 2002** 03-09-2004, 2:00 PM

I've always heard of this stuff and never once seen it on a store shelf. Where's a good place to buy? I have seen it in catalogues and it's not cheap. thanks.

(kstateskier) · (kstateskier) **Join Date: May 2002** 03-09-2004, 2:05 PM

Boat Dealerships always have it. Some Wal-Marts. It is not cheap anywhere. Sometimes you can find it in bulk cheaper on the net.

(fbroen) · (fbroen) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 03-09-2004, 2:08 PM

You may also want to check with some RV stores if you have any in your area.

(salty87) · (salty87) **Join Date: Jul 2002** 03-09-2004, 2:09 PM

going from memory, i think the bottle says to wipe off any excess. i could be wrong.

it probably soaked into the threading and into the cushion. i don't like to leave any behind, it will attract dirt and dust if any residue is left.

mbsteve 03-09-2004, 2:18 PM

does it leave your vinyl with a sticky feeling when you sit up next to it with no shirt on?

tommyadrian5 03-09-2004, 3:19 PM

not in my experience, but i usually do it at the end of a day so it gives it a night to dry out

(talltigeguy) · (talltigeguy) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 03-09-2004, 3:32 PM

Karl says that armour all is silicon based and is bad...Tom Adrian says 303 is just a silicon based cleaner/conditioner.

Who's misled here? or is there more to it?

tommyadrian5 03-09-2004, 4:10 PM

i'm wrong, maybe i was thinking of urethane, oh well

bobbymucic 03-09-2004, 4:58 PM

According to 303, no silicone oil.

http://www.303products.com/techinfo/vinyl_life_saving1.htm

(rock_n_boardin)

I bought it on their web-site by the gallon for much cheaper than any store that I have seen.

oldschool 03-10-2004, 11:49 AM

I know one thing..it leaves surfaces slick! I slipped on the rails after wiping the overspray off the gelcoat....slam right on my balls like I did a split onto a handrail. BE CAREFUL!

(pimp131) · (pimp131) **Join Date: Aug 2003** 03-10-2004, 3:17 PM

armour all has never aftected any vinyl ive used it on. It says safe for vinyl ... never had a problem.

(talltigeguy) · (talltigeguy) **Join Date: Sep 2003** 03-10-2004, 5:40 PM

Alessandro,

My owner's guide says to specifically stay away from Armor All. Some vinyl may be different, or maybe armor all refused to pay them off, so they got blackballed. Because of that in my owner's materials and I've avoided it like the plague.

(troyl) · (troyl) **Join Date: Feb 2002** 03-10-2004, 6:51 PM

From what I understand Armor All (or the old mix) eats threads over time. My dad used it like water on several of our cars and trucks in the 70's and 80's and had to have the seats resewed in 3 different vehicals. They sure always looked good though.

They may have changed the composition since then though.