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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Decent deal on 303 protectant |
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01/17/2020 02:17PM
Figured I'd post this here so it gets more eyeballs... Amazon has a 32oz bottle of 303 protectant for about $9 after tax & free shipping w/ subscribe and save.
Link (fixed)
Thought some of you might like a heads up.
Link (fixed)
Thought some of you might like a heads up.
When a man is part of his canoe, he is part of all that canoes have ever known. - Sigurd F. Olson, "The Singing Wilderness"
01/17/2020 10:10PM
As someone who works with 303 professionally as a detailer, it is a legitimately worthy product, but I also know that it washes away with water very quickly and easily. There are more durable, longer-lasting ways of protecting your canoe. I know this is an unpopular position to be taking around here. 303 has its uses, but protecting a canoe is a silly waste of the product because the first time it hits the water or gets rained-on, that 303 is already washing away.
EDIT:
Someone will ask what I use, but because I'm a detailer and like going overboard with some things, my answer won't be helpful. My canoe is currently ceramic coated with a coating from CarPro--ceramic coatings provide robust physical and chemical protection for literally years on daily-driven cars. If I didn't have access and the inclination to indulge in the excess...I'd use a wax like Finish Kare 1000P, a polymer sealant like Sonax Net Shield or Jescar Powerlock, or one of numerous silicon-based (none at all to be confused with greasy silicone) sealants available such as Meguiars Hyrbid Ceramic Wax, McKees 37 Hydro Blue, Gyeon CanCoat, etc (the list goes on for a long time).
EDIT 2: I forgot about 303 Touchless Sealant because it's just not a product I use, but if you're committed to the 303 brand, 303 Touchless Sealant will do a better job of protecting your canoe that Aerospace Protectant will.
EDIT:
Someone will ask what I use, but because I'm a detailer and like going overboard with some things, my answer won't be helpful. My canoe is currently ceramic coated with a coating from CarPro--ceramic coatings provide robust physical and chemical protection for literally years on daily-driven cars. If I didn't have access and the inclination to indulge in the excess...I'd use a wax like Finish Kare 1000P, a polymer sealant like Sonax Net Shield or Jescar Powerlock, or one of numerous silicon-based (none at all to be confused with greasy silicone) sealants available such as Meguiars Hyrbid Ceramic Wax, McKees 37 Hydro Blue, Gyeon CanCoat, etc (the list goes on for a long time).
EDIT 2: I forgot about 303 Touchless Sealant because it's just not a product I use, but if you're committed to the 303 brand, 303 Touchless Sealant will do a better job of protecting your canoe that Aerospace Protectant will.
01/17/2020 10:29PM
fadersup: "Let's hear about those better ways to protect a canoe. That's why we're here. "
Was editing it in while you posted. Anything you'd protect the exterior of a car or larger boat with is what I recommend. No one would ever attempt to protect a car exterior with 303 Aerospace Protectant (I use it to protect interior plastics and vinyls that are not exposed to water). Even the few detailers who think that using it on a vinyl convertible top or exterior plastics on a car find-out very quickly that it washes right off in rain (and streaks-up the nearby paint in the process).
What I'd recommend to just anyone depends on how they personally would prefer to apply a product. If you like a hand-applied liquid or paste, FK1000P or Jescar Powlerlock or 3D Poxy are some of many examples that spring to mind. If you like to spray and wipe, go with something like Meguiar's HCW, Hydrosilex Recharge, Sonax Net Shield...heck, I've even heard that Turtle Wax Ice Seal N Shine doesn't actually suck for what it is. The third option is products like McKee's 37 Hydro Blue or Sonax Spray and Seal where you actually spray the product onto the wet (but clean) surface then immediately spray it with pressurized water. Very fast and very easy, and Hydro Blue is what I use exclusively on my girlfriend's work car, and it'll last through tons of hard Milwaukee/Chicago area miles for 1-3 months all by itself.
(I must stress that products listed above just scratch the surface of all the good options)
Heck, if you're a 303 loyalist, don't use Aerospace Protectant, use 303 Touchless Sealant.
EDIT: P.S. Because I have a Nova Craft with the boot lace seats, the lacing of the seats is not coated by actually treated with 303 Fabric Guard. Because of my weird yoke, my pad is a Level Six Helium, and I treat that with Fabric Guard as well as our PFD's, packs, and tarps/tents.
01/18/2020 08:08AM
I've always used 303 on the gaskets on my dry suit and dry tops. Just something I've done. No idea if I really should be doing this or if there is a better product, but I've been doing it for years. Can anyone recommend something better?
If not, I'll order more 303 at this price!
If not, I'll order more 303 at this price!
01/18/2020 08:11AM
I purchased a Royalex Old Town Penobscot some years ago that has fading. I assume that this was due to sun damage, but really don't know. I tried the 303 and it looked great until I put it in the water and it appeared to just wash off. Any ideas for a product that will bring the color back and last?
Live Young --- No Regrets
01/18/2020 09:23AM
mschi772: "fadersup: "Let's hear about those better ways to protect a canoe. That's why we're here. "
Was editing it in while you posted. Anything you'd protect the exterior of a car or larger boat with is what I recommend. No one would ever attempt to protect a car exterior with 303 Aerospace Protectant (I use it to protect interior plastics and vinyls that are not exposed to water). Even the few detailers who think that using it on a vinyl convertible top or exterior plastics on a car find-out very quickly that it washes right off in rain (and streaks-up the nearby paint in the process).
What I'd recommend to just anyone depends on how they personally would prefer to apply a product. If you like a hand-applied liquid or paste, FK1000P or Jescar Powlerlock or 3D Poxy are some of many examples that spring to mind. If you like to spray and wipe, go with something like Meguiar's HCW, Hydrosilex Recharge, Sonax Net Shield...heck, I've even heard that Turtle Wax Ice Seal N Shine doesn't actually suck for what it is. The third option is products like McKee's 37 Hydro Blue or Sonax Spray and Seal where you actually spray the product onto the wet (but clean) surface then immediately spray it with pressurized water. Very fast and very easy, and Hydro Blue is what I use exclusively on my girlfriend's work car, and it'll last through tons of hard Milwaukee/Chicago area miles for 1-3 months all by itself.
(I must stress that products listed above just scratch the surface of all the good options)
Heck, if you're a 303 loyalist, don't use Aerospace Protectant, use 303 Touchless Sealant.
EDIT: P.S. Because I have a Nova Craft with the boot lace seats, the lacing of the seats is not coated by actually treated with 303 Fabric Guard. Because of my weird yoke, my pad is a Level Six Helium, and I treat that with Fabric Guard as well as our PFD's, packs, and tarps/tents."
Thanks for the details. I've been using 303 for years and this is the first I've heard about it rinsing off. If what you're saying is true it's time to pivot. The suggested alternatives are very much appreciated, thanks again.
01/18/2020 05:35PM
mschi772: "As someone who works with 303 professionally as a detailer, ...."
thanks for posting, as a FORMER user of 303 ....
you are correct
it is fine for a car interior, but even so, there are better and cheaper solutions
ultimately I use nothing since the canoe at most sits in the sun for a 8-10 hours exposing the interior which itself is blocked by a pack and or two and me, the exterior is under water with only the sides exposed
the rest of the time out of the sun
But I welcome all suggetions
let science, not politics decide, ... but whose science?
02/08/2020 08:14PM
Does it matter which variant to use? I at least see several variants: 30214 Marine and Boat, 30306 Aerospace Protectant, and 30313-CSR UV Protectant Spray
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KN0UOEE
https://www.amazon.com/303-30306-Aerospace-Protectant-Furniture/dp/B000XBCURW
https://www.amazon.com/303-30214-Protective-Cleaner-Fluid_Ounces/dp/B00TBHXC4E/
https://www.rei.com/product/153090/303-aerospace-protectant-16-fl-oz
The one on REI seemed to match exactly the one shown on Northstar website:
https://northstarcanoes.com/accessories/repair/
Scratching my head!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KN0UOEE
https://www.amazon.com/303-30306-Aerospace-Protectant-Furniture/dp/B000XBCURW
https://www.amazon.com/303-30214-Protective-Cleaner-Fluid_Ounces/dp/B00TBHXC4E/
https://www.rei.com/product/153090/303-aerospace-protectant-16-fl-oz
The one on REI seemed to match exactly the one shown on Northstar website:
https://northstarcanoes.com/accessories/repair/
Scratching my head!
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