303 Protectant - created a monster!

[ihsolutions]

I've heard 303 protectant mentioned here and other forums many times in the past. Many years ago I bought a bottle, for use on exterior automotive black trim. It worked well, but didn't seem to be special in any way.

Then recently I was reading their slogan "It's like SPF 40 for your stuff!"

What? Really? Then I start piecing it together why you guys are using on exterior plastic parts to keep them from getting brittle, etc. So the past week while we had nice weather I was walking around constantly spraying stuff with this 303 protectant probably drooling out the side of my mouth. My wife thinks I am crazy. Crazy like a fox, perhaps! I applied it to our plastic hose reel, dryer vents, vehicles inside and out (note to self ... don't get it on the steering wheel!).

I'm obsessed. How did I miss using this all along? Sure there are lots of products that make things look nice, but not many that provide protection from the sun and don't end up drying out rubber or plastic...

Since I am picking up a new fifth wheel next week I would like to ask the question, where should I be applying it on the new unit? Decals? Roof? Slide seals???? Tires? Anywhere else? When applying to the roof do you spray it on and let it dry, or wipe it off? Do you still clean it with rubber roof cleaner first???

Ahh, so many questions, but so many applications for this amazing product!

 

[sunnyseagull]

I just did the whole roof of sunline this past weekend after I washed it and what a difference it made just to the touch of the roof membrane awsome stuff thats for sure Dan

 

[TruckerTed]

Hi Jeff

303 Sounds like a great product to try. I live in Canada and it is not easy to find here. Is it easy to locate there in the USA as we will be heading to Florida April 24/25. I would like to know if anyone else has had good results with this product.
Ted

 

[EMD_Driver]

Hi Jeff

303 Sounds like a great product to try. I live in Canada and it is not easy to find here. Is it easy to locate there in the USA as we will be heading to Florida April 24/25. I would like to know if anyone else has had good results with this product.
Ted

Everyone here that has used it, has given some glowing reports on it...

We just bought a Sunline fifth wheel in December, and I'm sure we'll be using quite a bit of 303 on it!

 

[ihsolutions]

Gary, do you use it on the roof? If so, how?

Do you let it dry? Wipe it around or just spray it? I bought a gallon of "rubber roof cleaner and protectant" when I bought the sunline last year. It was like $30. Do I not use that now, or do I still wash it with that, then apply 303?

 

[EMD_Driver]

Gary, do you use it on the roof? If so, how?

Do you let it dry? Wipe it around or just spray it? I bought a gallon of "rubber roof cleaner and protectant" when I bought the sunline last year. It was like $30. Do I not use that now, or do I still wash it with that, then apply 303?

Hey Jeff,

I've never used it on the roof.. I'm sure JohnB will let us know how it's done properly... I'm curious myself, as we need to get the 311's roof done!

 

[ihsolutions]

Gary, I hope JohnB lets us know. I fear he's busy reconstructing his slideout! I'm sure I can't be the only one that's anxious to hear and see how the project finishes up. I learn so much from his posts.

 

[JohnGB]

LOL....... Well I have come in from the slide, I'm poped.....

303 on the roof. YES. I bought a good sqiurty bottle that I can use all over and it has an adjustable sprayer tip. Fine mist to long stream. I buy 303 by the gallon. Lasts me about 2 to 3 years ish.

On the roof after I wash and let it dry, I squirt it on, then I use a car wipe thing on a pole with a articulating head. It has a soft mop looking head you can take off and rinse out with water if it gets dirty. Then I just spread it around. You can use a soft cloth too just it is hard to reach. So I finally broke down and got this thing to spread it around.

I spray directly on the sun dome for the shower and all the vents. The shower dome, the next time you wash it, yellow stuff runs off and the white of the dome comes back. The UV inhibiter do have that attribute. The film turns tinted yellow but then washes off and put more new on.

On the T310 when I got it I said I’m going to try the other popular brand, Protectall. Well I put it on the Filon doors and oh no…. well a yellow tint showed up 2 days later. I know this camper never got a lot of TLC so it must of sucked it up quick and caused that reaction. And I cannot wash it out for nothing. So I stopped using it and went back to 303. When 303 tints, I use some Awesome and wash the camper and it runs yellow and comes back white. Then I put some more 303 on.

It is a catch 22. If you do not use the UV inhibiter you do not get the yellow tinting that can sometimes come from it. However if you do not use it, well the plastisizer leaches out from the sun and the entire things shatters…. So I’ll stick with the tint that I can clean off.

Actually if they use certain types of plastics they do not have these issues like some do. The plastics they make Max Air vent covers from is different and they do not have the same issues as say a Dometic roof fridge cover or AC shroud. And it is like the Dometic fridge vent on the side of the camper. It has a white color in it that does not yellow, but the darn 120VAC plug cover sure does…

Here is the roof spreader. You do need to rinse it when done other wise the 303 sorts of turns it crusty. But it will wash out with warm water and soap. You guys with big campers and lots of area, this may help.

Here it is. It telescopes out from her to about 5 maybe 6 foot long

The head

The cloth end

I think I got it at Walmart

John

 

[Trailblazer-MGRV]

Hi Jeff

303 Sounds like a great product to try. I live in Canada and it is not easy to find here. Is it easy to locate there in the USA as we will be heading to Florida April 24/25. I would like to know if anyone else has had good results with this product.
Ted

Just found a supplier of 303 here in Canada. Check out Van and Truck World as they are listed as a dealer in Canada. I justed used it today for the first time on our slide rubber seals and was amazed and the difference it made. I also used in on all the plastic I could find on the side of the rig. I am planning on getting up on the roof soon so I can treat all the plastic parts. It will be a few weeks before I can wash down the roof but will now definietly treat the roof with it. John, I like your spreader, I will have to look for one before I do the roof.

 

[henryj-SUN]

I have purchased 303 at Canadian Tire. It's only available in the small size and somewhat expensive compared to US prices, especially if you can get a larger quantity.

Henry

 

[TruckerTed]

Thannk You Henry and all who responded. I wrote to Canadian tire asking why they show it on their website but I can not fin it in any stores between Windsor and London. Their stores are told not to order it. This is their reply to me Dear Mr. Wheeler,

Thank you for contacting our office.

These particular items are discontinued and therefore not available in our warehouse for our stores to order. Our office does not have any further information as to why these were discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused you.

We thank you for providing us with the opportunity to respond.


Renée Armbrust
Corporate Customer Relations
Canadian Tire Corporation Limited
1-800-387-8803

John Barca can you tell me where you have found it in the US.

Thank you all for the help.
Ted

 

[JohnGB]

can you tell me where you have found it in the US.

Thank you all for the help.
Ted

I buy it by the gallon.

One place: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/product/303-aerospace-protectant/1941

another place a little more expensive. http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/?brand=303 Products&ref_=bl_sr_sporting-goods&node=3375301

 

[315RLTS in PA]

http://www.303products.com/

 

[nasa42a1]

Folks....

This is more for knowledge than anything else (I have a metal roof on my current TT), but for those of you with experience in using the 303 on a rubber roof........
Does the continuing use of 303 on the rubber roof have any effect on the adhesion and durability of the Dicor sealant many use on roof, vent, and other roof-related seams (and must renew every few years)?

Frank

 

[JohnGB]

Frank

Here is what I have found. Do not know if everyone’s is this way, but this is what I have seen.

I have not had any issues so far. The 303 only lasts so long. About 3 months in my case. Some gets on my front of the camper top siding. I can see in about 3 months the thin film start to sort of peel off. I use Awesome for washing and it strips the 303 right off the sides. So this stuff does not last super long periods of time.

I do not use Awesome on the roof, use Tide. And to date I have not noticed any issues with Dicor sticking on treated surfaces. HOWEVER I have not tried to use Dirco days after application. I would say, do the Dirco first, let it cure then treat 303 or wait a few months and then Dicor.

John

 

[ihsolutions]

Does anyone use 303 on their decals? I just got my new Heartland rig and it's loaded with decals. I waxed the rig (NuFinish) but avoided the decals as I've heard that's not good.

 

[Mike-SUN]

Check out RV Wholesalers at http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog/303-aerospace-protectant-13-0455.html

 

[JohnGB]

Hi Jeff

I myself have used 303 just for the decals but on anything else plastic or rubber on the camper.

Here is more from 303 themselves on vinyl
http://www.303products.com/shop303/index.cfm/category/206/what-you-need-to-know-about-vinyl.cfm

And other 303 uses
http://www.303products.com/shop303/index.cfm/category/65/303-aerospace-protectant.cfm

They do mention to not use anything that has petroleum based products on vinyl. And the Nu Finish, the bottle I have as I use it on the cars/truck states on the back label, Do not use on Vinyl and it also says it contains petroleum.

So the vinyl decals we have work well with 303 from all that I have found.

Hope this helps

John