This product does what it says it will do, unlike other products. As the company says, it's like "SPF 40 for your stuff". This is especially important if you don't have a garage or covering for your car, like me. I was horrified when I used Armor All on my dash, which led to some cracking. A tire guy told me not to use it literally 1 day after I had applied it liberally to my tires & dash, and sure enough, he was right. Before this prophecy came true, and right after he told me, I did some actual-user research which backed up his claim (look for yourself), which backed him up. I learned the cracking/drying of rubber, plastic & vinyl with Armor All was because Armor All uses a plasticiser of low molecular weight. It gets in there and everything looks great for about 3 months, but during this time, it is evaporating and taking the original and higher-quality (higher molecular weight and much more slowly-sublimating/evaporating) plasticisers with it out from your original material! That leads to cracking and drying--exactly what you were trying to avoid! If you keep using Armor All, you won't have cracking, but your dash will become dependant on it, and then if you stop, it can be disastrous. I'm going to take the hit and now use only 303. 303 does not act in the way Armor All does. It will not damage your stuff if you stop using it, unlike Armor All. An application of 303, I would say, lasts up to 3 months in the sun (apply more often if you are careful). Now, when I spray my tires, I don't even wipe it off--I want it all to stay there--and although it looks like it will dry with drip streaks, it doesn't. I used 303 sporadically on my car for years, using it primarily for boating, not knowing the potential ill effects of Armor All. Now I use 303 exclusively.I'm not sure exactly what's in 303, and the bottle doesn't say, either. I can say the liquid itself looks exactly like Armor All (direct comparison--milky watery, nearly odorless liquid), but it is very different stuff. 303's website states there is no silicone in the 303. And 303 is definitely water-based, not alcohol- or oil-based.
At the time of this writing, the 8oz version does not seem to be directly available from Amazon, but the 16 and 32 oz is. This review is of the 32 oz, though I have only tried the 8oz. Amazon's price for this is the best. I need some quick, though, so I will be buying an 8 oz locally and then will stock up with a 32 oz bottle in my next Amazon purchase. 32 oz is huge, though, so I would only suggest purchasing it after you've purchased a smaller quantity and know you like it.
303 does not leave a greasy feel like Armor All, either. Because of that, you can use 303 on things like inflatable boats, and it won't interfere with any patching. 303 is used by people who have niche hobbies like inflatable kayaking/boating, outdoor hot tubs, off-roaders with fiberglass or vinyl soft tops, etc.
303 is frustratingly hard to find locally. I went to Wal-Mart, Target, and Auto Zone trying to find it--no dice. I originally bought mine from K-Mart, but I no longer go to K-Mart just like I no longer go to Wal-Mart--those stores just frustrate me too much. (...)K-Mart no longer comes up as carrying it, and neither does their website--only specialty stores like pool, spa, and boating places. It's good to see Amazon carrying this product, and at the best price. I've never even seen the 32 oz for sale in any store. You won't feel like you're 'poaching' because so few local stores sell it anyway.
Turtle Wax seems to be something intended to compete with 303 called "F21 Super Protect" ("With Sun-Stop"--oooh). F21 is apparently an abbreviation of "Formula 2001", its original name, the marketing dolts at Turtle Wax apparently not realizing that using the year 2001 to denote advancement of technology would someday make a product seem OLD and out of date. It is much cheaper than 303, and easily available at stores for around $4 or less for 20 oz, Amazon not being the best price here. I was tempted after not finding 303 anywhere but finding F21 at all of the above-mentioned places, but after my scare with Armor All, I'm going to stick with 303, at least for now. I currently can't find any actual user feedback on F21 compared with 303 (nor is there currently any Amazon feedback on this product), and the F21's packaging copy is insulting to one's intelligence ("revolutionary nonotechnology formula"). But Amazon's copy does disclose that F21, while being water-based, does contain silicone (in my mind, a good thing). Maybe I'll experiment with that later. But if you want to be sure (as I do right now), go with 303, a tried and tested product.
Finally, don't put any of these above-mentioned products on leather, no matter what the bottles say (all of them claim they're okay for leather). Putting silicone on leather could be a good or bad thing depending on the leather & what it's used for (probably bad, esp for car seats). Use a dedicated leather conditioner/moisturizer, period.
Bottom line on 303: expensive but worth it--possibly even indispensible.
Click Here to see more reviews about: 303 Aerospace Protectant 32 oz. Bottle w/Spray
Product Description:
This is the maintenance product manufacturers recommend most.Only 303 beautifies as intensely, protects as powerfully or lasts as long.Powerful UV screening protection for colored gel-coat fiberglass, inflatable boats, vinyl, clear vinyl (isinglass) windows, rubber, plastics and leather. Spray on/wipe dry.Treated surfaces repel dirt, soiling, staining, water spots, salt water and mildew.Non-toxic and environmentally safe.
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