My interesting three year experiment with 303 Aerospace Protectant
 

I've used 303 Aerospace Protectant on the rubber and plastic trim (and tires) on my cars for years.

I like it because it doesn't make things to shiny/greasy (like Armorall). And, they claim that it has UV protectant.

I will say, the rubber and plastic trim on my cars never seems to age, for years or decades. Is that because of the 303? Can it really prevent sun damage?

So I decided to do an experiment. On 80s BMW, the "chrome" windshield and rear window "lock strip" trim is actually plastic "chrome," covered by clear plastic.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517608181.jpg

It is infamous for discoloring with a few years of use, first going to brown, then to completely black - like this

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517607657.jpg

I took a brand new piece of that trim and nailed it to a board.

On half of it, I applied 303. The other half, left bare.

Then I put it on the roof of my house, exposed to the elements 24/7.

I reapplied the 303 occasionally, every 3-4 weeks.

FOR THREE YEARS!

The results have been pretty surprising. I'll pull it down tonight and post pictures.

I use it too! Anxious to see your experiment results.

This tickles my fancy. I've been using 303 ASP for more than 6 years, but I should apply more often (I apply once every 6 months and love it).

Anxious to see the results!

Subscribed (at least until you post the pics).
_

What a tease! Is this click bait? ;)

That's a crazy commitment to a test, dude. Props!

I'm gonna order the second one FREE....just gotta pay the s&h ;)

Now lemme get this straight.....you crawled up to yer roof 30+ times for this?

I just don't know McLovin...

Cool, thanks for the test.

Mebbe he lives next door to the Playboy Mansion or a sorority house.

That's still quite a commitment.

Interested in the results, as well.

Switched from armorall to 303+ some time ago. So, among the waiting...

I’ve been using 303 regularly on my 2004 daily BMW since the day I bought it (original owner). The rubber window trim is still soft and flexible, looks virtually new. I live in Phoenix.

Consumer Reports for the automotive DIY world. Cool.

(I've also done those tests with multiple products whenever I run out of something halfway through, but can never remember which is which ;) )

Can’t wait for the results! I use 303 on my boat and also vehicle rubber and convertible tops.

@GH85 - "5 SHOCKING SECRETS BIG PLASTICS DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW!"

@motion - I'm a very patient man! Seriously, I wanted to see if my years of religiously putting this stuff on all of my cars' plastic, rubber, trim, emblems, etc. was worth the time and money.

@KC911 - I'm able to get to it by just reaching, without a ladder, etc. (But I still had to do it regularly for three years!)

Without further ado, here's the results:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517617072.JPG
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517617072.JPG
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517617072.JPG
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517617072.JPG

Wow!!!

It's amazing how well it protected against aging.

After 3 years of rain, sun, wind, etc., on a roof, 24/7, the treated side still looks brand new.

The other side, not so much!

:eek::eek::eek::eek: all I can say is WOW!!! Well color me surprised!!!!

I'm glad I've been 303 ASP for so long already. Thank you for running this experiment for three years, I'm really glad to see it really works so well.

I also switched to 303 years ago. Glad to see there is something to all the hype.

I'm way to lazy....I just don't park my Carrera on the roof ;)

....but nice results!

To cop a phrase from The Ridiculous 6... "That's some mystical ****"
I have been using 303 on the smile, bumper boobs, chin, dash, and window seal for several years now. Good stuff.

Thanks for the results. The guy who turned me on to the stuff used it on his boat...

Nice, thanks for posting this.

Used this stuff for years.

I apply it on all rubber, tires,vinyl,leather after cleaning and conditioning. The stuff is a godsend!http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517619741.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517619789.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517619868.jpg

You should email this thread to the 303 people.
You should also post your photos on other car forums.

Why don't you do the same test on a piece of rubber ?

Wow! Impressive results. Costs a little more, but well worth it. I'd like to see how well it protects that *****ty interior plastic that BMW uses that turns to dust after a few years in the sun!

(Hmm, I wonder if it will work on my skin!)

Very valuable, great test, I've been doing the same thing with Cerakote in terms of UV stability. Black in a south facing window for over a year has done nothing to it.

What I want to know is what will either restore, slow down or arrest plastic degradation like on a 911 dash. I am restoring a 76 Carrera 3.0 with a crack free 1 year only dash. Amazon has 10 different automotive plastic conditioners.

Which one will actually work?

I’m thinking of mixing a little in in my smoothies!

..?

Will this stuff work on polycarbonate windows? I have two cars that have polycarbonate roof panels and also rear quarterlight windows. And what about plastic headlamp lenses?

I've never heard of this stuff but will now start using it in place of the other stuff I have been using. Thanks for the test.

Is 303 readily available at most FLAPS? Or is that a special order somewhere?

Never heard of the stuff either. I just ordered some, including their leather product.

Thanks!

According to Google, you can order it at Walmart.com or Amazon.com among others

I've head about 303 in the tech forum and bought one. You have inspired me to test, but I will compare it to Mother's Protectant, which is what I have been using before... Maybe just 1 month. I don't think I can do 3 years.

It's not oily/greasy/sticky once applied is it?

I hate getting a car detailed and then getting it back and the steering wheel and interior looks like it's got a thick coat of oil that gets on your hands and attracts dust and stuff.

I just get it on Amazon.

It's not oily/greasy, Imo it's perfect sheen for exterior things. i do use it more sparingly on the interior, but i prefer a drier, lower sheen interior than most.

I think it would great on polycarbonate windows. I've been using it in my 2007 BMW plastic headlights for 9 years, they are still crystal clear. I use it on all the lenses, emblems, etc. Pretty much all unpainted exterior things.

A 1 month test won't show anything. It took over a year before I started noticing anything.

This is all good to hear. I am in Texas, but fortunately, my car is in a garage at home and at work so it gets very little sun time, but still, some protection would be nice.

Also, +1000 on the dry, low sheen interior!

I actually learned about it at the aerospace company that I used to work at. Our flight mechanics used it on the canopy on the T-6.

I'd like to give this stuff a go. I can buy it locally at a car parts store.

Meanwhile, this is an excellent video (if you can get past his ascent and tattoos) of how 303 is used on leather. The use of 303 starts at 11 minutes.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6q0dS2MNugk" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

For leather I would rate Leatherique as better than 303. 303 is better on vinyl.