aerospace protectant 303 on my dash?
08-11-07, 09:33 PM
#16
At first I thought it was too shiney, but then i sprayed maybe 2x on the dash alone. Then I took a dry cloth and did a final wipedown to clean up some residue.
But I've been experimenting lately with dilluting the 303. I mixed some 303 with a bit of water and that helped with the shine. It's more matte and restores the black trim to a 'new' look rather than an overglossy armor all trim.
08-11-07, 11:09 PM
#17
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At first I thought it was too shiney, but then i sprayed maybe 2x on the dash alone. Then I took a dry cloth and did a final wipedown to clean up some residue.
But I've been experimenting lately with dilluting the 303. I mixed some 303 with a bit of water and that helped with the shine. It's more matte and restores the black trim to a 'new' look rather than an overglossy armor all trim.
But I've been experimenting lately with dilluting the 303. I mixed some 303 with a bit of water and that helped with the shine. It's more matte and restores the black trim to a 'new' look rather than an overglossy armor all trim.
I used to apply 303. Now I've switched to Optimum Protectant Plus (OPP) for both my dash and leather seats. I'm very pleased with the switch. OPP is a little less glossy than 303, applies more evenly, has good UV protection, conditions the leather seats to be soft, and has a nice leather scent.
08-12-07, 10:52 PM
#18
Hey guys, I used the damp micro filter cloth and 303 to do the seats dash and everything, very good results, no uneven application due to spray, the seats feels slightly more slippery but it's very good. Dash is only a little more shiny.. I am quite happy with the results
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RJMacReady (07-07-23)
07-21-12, 11:48 AM
#19
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Hey guys, I used the damp micro filter cloth and 303 to do the seats dash and everything, very good results, no uneven application due to spray, the seats feels slightly more slippery but it's very good. Dash is only a little more shiny.. I am quite happy with the results
07-21-12, 02:21 PM
#20
No problem.. I found dealer may put something on the dash when they detail or deliver the car, maybe even with a cloth they used to detail the rest of the car. You do not want to layer your product right on top.
I would use a bit of distilled water mixed with a little dish soap and use a MF towel to clean the dash very well first. Not trying to give it a bubble bath, just very slightly soapy.
Mop and wipe dry with another cloth, repeat... Then you are ready for aero space, but I have stopped using aero space on some dashes I got uneven shine. I now use 1Z premium cockpit which cleans and have almost no shine.
I would use a bit of distilled water mixed with a little dish soap and use a MF towel to clean the dash very well first. Not trying to give it a bubble bath, just very slightly soapy.
Mop and wipe dry with another cloth, repeat... Then you are ready for aero space, but I have stopped using aero space on some dashes I got uneven shine. I now use 1Z premium cockpit which cleans and have almost no shine.
07-21-12, 02:49 PM
#21
There are a few areas where I will not use 303 on car. The dash is one and my leather is another. The glass windshield blocks about 85% of the UV rays anyway. I prefer to not have any glare or added gloss on my dash for safety reasons. I use Meg's QID for the dash as it has UV inhibitors and leaves zero gloss.
303 clogs the pores of the urethane coating on the leather which inhibits the proper hydration of the leather. Ultimately this will result in hard, stiff leather which could lead to creasing or even cracking.
303 works great on rubber and other vinyl interior pieces as long as you don't mind the shine and odor. Fortunately, the odor dissipates quickly. It is a rather slippery dressing however so I won't use it on the steering wheel either.
303 clogs the pores of the urethane coating on the leather which inhibits the proper hydration of the leather. Ultimately this will result in hard, stiff leather which could lead to creasing or even cracking.
303 works great on rubber and other vinyl interior pieces as long as you don't mind the shine and odor. Fortunately, the odor dissipates quickly. It is a rather slippery dressing however so I won't use it on the steering wheel either.
07-21-12, 02:57 PM
#22
The 303 goes away rather quick when used on leather seats anyway. It guards against stain well.
That said I am not a big fan of 303. But it does make black plastic look great.
07-22-12, 12:51 PM
#23
Not sure where you get this from? Wouldn't the leather's uncoated backside allow it to breathe anyway? Wouldn't the perfolated leather do the same? On detailing forums there isn't anything specific to recommend NOT to use 303 on leather, and there are many who use it regularly.
The 303 goes away rather quick when used on leather seats anyway. It guards against stain well.
That said I am not a big fan of 303. But it does make black plastic look great.
The 303 goes away rather quick when used on leather seats anyway. It guards against stain well.
That said I am not a big fan of 303. But it does make black plastic look great.
Using anything that clogs the pores of the urethane will inhibit transpiration of moisture needed for proper hydration of the leather. This could wind up making the leather hard and possibly even lead to cracking over time. Transpiration takes place at the molecular level as water vapor. In essence, when you wipe your protected leather with a wrung out cotton towel the moisture left on the leather coating raises the humidity at the surface and some of the water molecules transpire into the leather.
I don't know what is in 303 as the manufacturer doesn't say and I don't know if it blocks or otherwise interferes with the breathability of the leather. They do say there is no silicone in it though. Yet it is milky white so it does contains some solids that I fear may block transpiration so I don't use it or recommend its use on leather. I have used it on exterior vinyl trim and found that after a rain the stuff ran down the paint in streaks. Not happy about that.
Basically 303 is sun screen providing SPF40 protection from the sun's UV rays. Unless you have a convertible, your auto glass also does that by blocking about 85% of the UV rays. 303 does not protect against things like dye transfer from belts, jeans or most other stains. Use of a fluorocarbon protectant does that best. I really don't need UV protection on my leather but I do need stain and dye protection so I use a more appropriate product for my needs.
This from a Leather Specialist from a major Leather Care firm which confirms my impressions.
Leather however finished has to remain breathable and it will allow the movement of moisture back and forth (transpiration) so the use of water based cleaners and protectors will keep the leather correctly hydrated which is essentail to keeping it in good condition.
In tests we have found that the 303 offers little or no protection for leather against dirt or oils.
Water based fluorocarbon protectors offer the best form of protection there is. There are a few of these on the market. Most 'conditioners' that say they protect the leather do not as they do not contain fluorocarbons. Pure fluorcarbon protectors are expensive but as they actually work they will prolong the life of the leather and so be very cost effective in the long run.
In tests we have found that the 303 offers little or no protection for leather against dirt or oils.
Water based fluorocarbon protectors offer the best form of protection there is. There are a few of these on the market. Most 'conditioners' that say they protect the leather do not as they do not contain fluorocarbons. Pure fluorcarbon protectors are expensive but as they actually work they will prolong the life of the leather and so be very cost effective in the long run.
Last edited by jfelbab; 07-22-12 at 12:55 PM.
07-22-12, 01:14 PM
#25
In general, if you find a product that says it protects leather and it is inexpensive it most likely is not a fluorocarbon protectant.
A year ago I contacted a few manufacturers to ask if their product contains this type of protectant and none did. Read the packaging carefully.
It may cost a little more to protect your leather but given the performance of this kind of protection I'd consider it a bargain. This is especially important on light colored leather that may suffer from dye transfer.
If any vendors/manufacturers want to jump in here with information on leather protectors that contain fluorocarbon protectants, I'd be happy to hear form you.
Jon, you have any products you care to mention?
Last edited by jfelbab; 07-22-12 at 07:36 PM.
07-22-12, 05:49 PM
#26
I will try the leather master protection cream. I still really doubt the 303 will cause much harm, I don't think it is any more blocking than the urethane coat itself.
The 303 isn't as resilent as you make it sound, a little wet wiping with a MF towel will remove it in a hurry.
The 303 isn't as resilent as you make it sound, a little wet wiping with a MF towel will remove it in a hurry.
07-24-12, 05:44 PM
#27
Lexus Test Driver
I find that it works better by spraying on the cloth too. I invariably end with droplets in places there shouldn't be and shiny spots in the center of the mist area by spraying the surface directly.
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