
SPECIFICALLY, ONE OF THE BETTER OPTIONS readily AVAILABLE: 303
One of my mentees reached out to me tonight about some problems he was experiencing with a product I recommended. A week or two ago, he asked for a good interior protectant that he could find at an auto parts store or Walmart. I suggested 303, which I believe is the best choice under those circumstances. I’ve used this product off and on for over 20 years, even when it wasn’t as widely known.
However, he called tonight and mentioned that he was having issues with streaking and it didn’t seem to dry properly. He was struggling to achieve good results, so I thought it would be helpful to share this with everyone, in case others are facing similar challenges.
303 is absolutely top-notch. It provides excellent protection, repels dust, and leaves a factory-like finish on materials that lasts a long time. I highly recommend it. That said, it can be tricky for beginners, and there are other products that perform nearly as well but are easier to apply.
One common issue arises during the application process. Many detailers are used to spraying products directly onto the surface and wiping it clean, but I don’t recommend this approach. For 95% of the chemicals most beginners will use, I believe it’s much better to spray onto a microfiber towel or your cleaning material, like a scrub ninja, before applying. This method helps eliminate problems like streaking, chemical staining, and overspray dots.
For 303 specifically, I recommend following this application procedure: use a microfiber applicator pad or towel (the pad is better) and spray a small amount on it (you don’t need much for it to be effective). Then, apply it to your clean door panel or dashboard etc. After that, take a completely CLEAN & DRY microfiber cloth to remove any excess and dry the surface thoroughly. 303 does not air dry well; it needs to be completely buffed or dried off to avoid the issues my mentee experienced. Another important tip is to avoid is oversaturating the panel, which can happen when spraying directly on it. If you’re seeing streaks with 303, you’ve likely used too much. A light coating is all that’s needed. I hope this helps a few of you
303 is a fantastic product that I can confidently recommend, as it won’t damage anything and is suitable for beginners. Just be mindful of its application, as it can be a bit finicky. If you’ve struggled with 303 in the past or faced the same issues I described, try this application method for better results. I hope this helps anyone who has had trouble with 303. It really is a great product.
–Bobby
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