I'm a long-time believer in 303 as an alternative to most other protectants on rubber and vinyl. I see 303 has a convertible top cleaner for fabric and vinyl tops. Ours are fabric, right?
They also make a 2-part kit for top care, but it says on the packaging; for vinyl. Does 303 aerospace protectant work on our tops after the cleaning step? Or is there something better?

Ken

 

Ken,

Yes, our convertible tops are fabric construction. I have not used any 303 products, so I can't speak to their effectiveness. I did notice on their website that they offer a product called 303 High Tech Fabric Protectant. I would be more apt to use the 303 HTFP in lieu of the Aerospace protectant, if I were using 303 products. I personally use Raggtopp brand protectant, with very satisfying results!

Cheers!

Jon

 

I've used the 303 High-Tech Fabric Protectant on my wife's XK8's ragtop twice. First application in April 2012, second application in April 2013. 16 ounces of product used in each application. Great stuff indeed....

 

I was not a big supporter of 303, however that might change. This is how I did my roof.

Link http://www.jagrepair.com/RoofConditioning.htm

 

I am a big fan of 303 products. They are highly regarded in boating circles and boats take more abuse (generally) than do our cars.

The vinyl protector is all I use for interior plastics and it works great. Much better than the ArmorAll-like products. The fabric guard I used for the first time on my top this spring. Love it. Water just beads off and it was simple to apply.

 

inspired by earlier discussions on topic at this forum I used 303 for the first time; Seems like the rag had never seen any protection in 16 years, so I had to use a full bottle; Top is beautiful as ever, and all the water Pearls off. So far so good!

 

I have used the Raggtopp fabric cleaner and protectant on our '98 with great success. We try to treat it 3 times a year. So far,so good.

 

Both products have their pros and cons. I use Raggtopp, but I'm sure 303 works just as well. Both need to be applied seasonally, so it doesn't really matter which one you pick, IMO.

Raggtopp needs to be applied somewhere there is absolutely no wind or breeze. 303 is messier, from what I gather.

Pick one and go with it I say, you can't really go wrong with either product.

 

When applying the 303 product, the key is to pick a day with no wind and to use a big scrap bath towel to block off the windows and trim when you spray. Having a second person hold and drag the towel around where needed makes the job go much quicker....

 

With a roll of painter's tape and a lot of newspapers, it is fairly easy to tape off everything and make it a one person job.

Use either method, but do use one of them. The overspray is tough to get off.

 

If you are using 303 the best application is with a paint roller...

 

I used Raggtopp and was not impressed. Switched to 303 and the top now beads water like it is waxed. Been on for almost a year now and still works great. Used the Raggtopp I had left to coat an umbrella.

 

I have used 303 for years. It is primarily used in the marine environment to protect Bimini tops. Sunbrella, the most recognized manufacturer of marine fabrics recommends 303 fabric protectant. The sun drenched marine punishment far exceeds anything you can get with a pampered car. I spray the 303 by use of a small paint gun. First I open my top slightly, then slip a 2 mil disposable painters tarp (Home Depot or Lowe's) over the windshield and through the car extending over the side windows and doors. This shields the bonnet and sides. I then use another tarp on the back taping it around the trunk. It only takes a few minutes. Finally spray the top twice allowing it to dry between applications.

 

Having used Raggtopp for the first few years, and then switching to 303; IMO the 303 is far superior.

I notice that some 303 users were using a brush or roller to apply. I seem to recall that 303 specifically warned against this method; advising user to wet w/ spray.

 

I've used 303 for a while and it works fine. I used to mask off but now just use a largish piece of carboard in one hand for a shield and spray with the other hand. Pick a very still morning. The spray won't be even, so I use a microfiber wax applicator to spread the 303 around especially near the windows. It will foam a little, but that goes away as it dries. Dry in direct sunlight all day before lowereing top. Granted, I'm not entering any car shows, but the results look good and last a year in FL sun and salt air. I wish protecting the underside of the car was that easy.

 

one more 303 testimony; I applied it in large quantities about a month ago; Overspray rubbed off easily, and forgotten parts where removed with some wax.

Anyways, last weekend I had to park the Jag under some trees, and after a lovely afternoon the hood had been covered with a lot of very nasy bird droppings.

They had been drying for a couple of hours, and I could not brush the stains off from the hood; Returning home I toke the water hose and sprayed very intensly on the spots, using a car wash brush aswell; No more Pearls, just wet patches after a few seconds. Spots however disappeared after a minute or so.

I let the hood dry and amazingly now, when it rains, there are pearls again on the spots I brushed as well.

Don't ask em how it works, just enjoy!

 

I use 303 because of the spray bottle. I had previously used Raggtop but didn't like the aerosol spray. I believe the 303 last longer too.