303 Protectant

[HartS2K]

Don't know if they always do this but the 303 website has free samples available to try out some of their products. The address is http://www.303products.com/.

One requires you pay the shipping and another pays it for you. Thought I'd share the discovery.

[Cyclon36]

sweet deal. I have the 303 aerospace protectant for my soft top. Alot of people on S2ki recommend this product and it definitely makes your top nice and black again. Anyone who hasn't tried this should get the free sample. The protectant has free shipping.

[KatJ]

Sweet!

[Grainger49]

Very cool!

Thanks for sharing!

[KatJ]

I received my samples already! I hadn't checked my mail all week so I don't know exactly when they arrived. They move quickly, in fact they haven't cashed my $5 check yet.

[HartS2K]

I still haven't gotten mine but then I didn't do the pay option. I left it all on them.

[KatJ]

I signed up for them both and received both. The 303 packet says it covers a "softball sized area".

[dp]

i ordered the free shipping 303 samples! thanks for bringing this up...i must've missed it...

[Grainger49]

The 303 packet says it covers a "softball sized area".
It was almost enough to do the dash, but not quite, I brought out my spray bottle to do the remainder.

[Mario]

I bought another quart before I heard about the samples.

Stuff works great. Resist the temptation to use too much. I spray some on a sponge until it is damp then apply in orthogonal (I like that word, sounds intel-agent) directions. If you put too much, it will get on the rear glass when you put the top down.

BTW - Use their convertible top clearner first. It is relatively mild per the label, but works great. I use a soft brush for that. The cleaner you can spray on direct. I re-treat after the cleaner.

[Grainger49]

I wrote 303 and asked whether the fabric or 303 AP was the proper product for our tops. Their question back was, what is the top made of?

Honda didn't have the information at hand but one of the telephone jockies owned one and assured me that it is vinyl covered fabric. But for sure, the top layer is vinyl and that is what we should be protecting. And I use diluted baby shampoo on my top first.

So, all that to say, 303 Aerospace Protectant is it. And where do you guys buy it locally? Or is it from 303?

[Cyclon36]

I bought mine from here: http://www.properautocare.com/

They have good prices and a ton of stuff to clean your car with.

[1QUICK1]

And where do you guys buy it locally?I've bought it at Ace Hardware.

[Grainger49]

I've bought it at Ace Hardware.
Thanks, I will check mine.

[Mario]

Yes, the top is vinyl/not fabric. It has a very realistic cloth look to it. The cloth that you can see inside is another layer.

Properautocare.com is in FL, so they are a good source for 303. They have a lot of write ups about their products as well. Amazon via autogeek has 303 as well.

[REVS9K]

Question? When my car was getting repainted the top got some spots on it. Looks like from wetsanding primer. I have tried Raggtop cleaner twice using a soft bristle brush with no luck. I am looking fro something a little more potent, but I don't want to damage the vinyl. My top has always been coated with Raggtop protectant. I figured this stuff would come off a little easier. Any insight appreciated.

[Cyclon36]

Maybe some paint thinner? Don't know if it would melt the vinyl. Might want to try it on some excess areas on the inside first.

[REVS9K]

Maybe some paint thinner? Don't know if it would melt the vinyl. Might want to try it on some excess areas on the inside first.
I'm worried about fading or making the top look spotchy with paint thinner. I'd rather try some sort of specialty cleaner first.

[Cyclon36]

Oxyclean :goodjob:

http://www.lions-share-ent.com/Images/billy_oxyclean.jpg

:rolf:

[1QUICK1]

I'm worried about fading or making the top look spotchy with paint thinner. I'd rather try some sort of specialty cleaner first.Wonder if Orange-glo or Goo-gone might work. We should have a lot of extra trash tops after this coming weekend to try products out on.

[1QUICK1]

303 does make a cleaner:
303 Top Cleaner (http://www.303products.com/tech/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=457)


Combining with water causes the micelles to penetrate grease, oil and dirt and then hold them in suspension in the super-wet water…in effect making these substances dissolve in water.

Interesting: 303's colloid cleaners are excellent for washing fruits and vegetables to remove residue and dirt prior to cooking.
I don't personally know how well it works or if it will get off the spots.

[REVS9K]

303 does make a cleaner:
303 Top Cleaner (http://www.303products.com/tech/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=457)

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I don't personally know how well it works or if it will get off the spots.
It seems like it would be safe to use and worth a try. I have put a call in to Platinum also to see what they might use. I have tried so hard to keep this top perfect. The day I picked up my S2000 when I bought it the dealership had slung wax with a buffer onto my other top and I never got it off the two years I had it. http://www.s2katlanta.com/%7Es2katl/forum/images/smilies/mad.gif I will be so pissed if I am in the same boat.

[tonybell_57]

I have a bottle of 303 cleaner you can borrow.

[Grainger49]

Maybe some paint thinner? Don't know if it would melt the vinyl. Might want to try it on some excess areas on the inside first.I am almost certain that laquer thinner will melt vinyl. Mineral spirits probably won't but I wouldn't use it either.

You know, water is the "thinner" for the paint our cars are painted with. Isn't it latex?

[REVS9K]

I have a bottle of 303 cleaner you can borrow.
Sweet Tony, I may take you up on it. http://www.s2katlanta.com/%7Es2katl/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Grainger49]

Wonder if Orange-glo or Goo-gone might work. We should have a lot of extra trash tops after this coming weekend to try products out on.That is a fine idea. That way no one gets their top trashed, well, they will already be trashed!

[tonybell_57]

Sweet Tony, I may take you up on it. http://www.s2katlanta.com/%7Es2katl/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gifAny time.:goodjob:

[REVS9K]

I ended up purchasing the 303 vinyl care kit and am pleased with the outcome. The cleaner didn't remove all of the stains, but it lessened them drastically. I put multiple coats, let it sit and used a soft bristle brush to loosen and a damp cloth to remove the debris. What sold me on the 303 was the protectant that I used after the cleaning. I applied multiple coats spraying the product on a wax applicator pad and applying in a circlular motion to the top. The end result is amazing. The protectant covered all blemishes and the top looks as good as new. I have taken good care of this top since upgrading in late 2002 to the glass rear window top. I have used the Raggtop protectant which kept the top beading as if waxed, but it never shined like this.

I will update on how the product reacts to rain. :goodjob:

[tonybell_57]

I ended up purchasing the 303 vinyl care kit and am pleased with the outcome. The cleaner didn't remove all of the stains, but it lessened them drastically. I put multiple coats, let it sit and used a soft bristle brush to loosen and a damp cloth to remove the debris. What sold me on the 303 was the protectant that I used after the cleaning. I applied multiple coats spraying the product on a wax applicator pad and applying in a circlular motion to the top. The end result is amazing. The protectant covered all blemishes and the top looks as good as new. I have taken good care of this top since upgrading in late 2002 to the glass rear window top. I have used the Raggtop protectant which kept the top beading as if waxed, but it never shined like this.

I will update on how the product reacts to rain. :goodjob:You definitely want to wait a few days before going out in the rain with it or it will streak your windows.

[DosEquis Driver]

You definitely want to wait a few days before going out in the rain with it or it will streak your windows.

... your doors, fenders, hood, boot, the inside of your door jambs, and anywhere else the rain or your next car wash might carry it. Once the "excess" gets washed off, it seems to hold up quite well. I've just never seen where even after a wheel of being "baked-in" the stuff doesn't leave an oil slick all over Debbie's car in the rain or during a subsequent washing.

I'll be giving Raggtop a try once my current bottle of 303 is gone.

[tonybell_57]

... your doors, fenders, hood, boot, the inside of your door jambs, and anywhere else the rain or your next car wash might carry it. Once the "excess" gets washed off, it seems to hold up quite well. I've just never seen where even after a wheel of being "baked-in" the stuff doesn't leave an oil slick all over Debbie's car in the rain or during a subsequent washing.

I'll be giving Raggtop a try once my current bottle of 303 is gone.

What he said:)

[REVS9K]

What he said:)

:mad: That sucks. Sure looks nice now. Maybe I'll use Raggtop 3 out of 4 times or something like that.

[Cyclon36]

:mad: That sucks. Sure looks nice now. Maybe I'll use Raggtop 3 out of 4 times or something like that.

Tut, just rub over it with a dry towel a few times and it will reduce the amount it runs. It's had time to absorb into the top. If you rub over it with the towel once a day or so, it will keep it from running bad.

[1QUICK1]

Yeah, I've never had a problem with 303 running onto the windows.
I think the only threat would be if you sprayed it directly on the top.

Spraying on a sponge or some other applicator reduces the amount of overspray and you should be less likely for any to run-off.

[S2k Dude]

I'll be giving Raggtop a try once my current bottle of 303 is gone.

I swear by the stuff. Only need to apply it about once a year, maybe less. Just lay an old towel down at the edge of the top to catch overspray. I've not tried 303 but from everything I've read I'm staying with Raggtop.

[KatJ]

I'm a recent convert to Raggtop. :goodjob:

[Aaron]

I'm a recent convert to Raggtop. :goodjob:http://www.raggtopp.net/catalog/images/white8-ball.jpg (http://www.raggtopp.net)

[Johnyboy]

Raggtopp has a vinyl protectant that I am planning to start using.

http://www.autogeek.net/ravipr.html

[S2KJD]

I'm staying with Raggtop.

This stuff is awesome and I seriously need to pick some up for the new top:goodjob: :goodjob: :goodjob: