*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

Just my experience with both products and countless others that are used in a similar manner.

Not to mention 303 sucks on trim. Looks great running down the paint after a rain.

 

What do you mean by “long term effectiveness”?

303 washes off in the first rain or your next wash. It can’t be that effective if it doesn’t stay on the applied area.

My trim and tire gel lasts 3-4 months before fading and doesn’t run at all.

303 has never impressed me.
I put it in the same boat as all the other cheap products at Walmart.

I think the product is very much like Turtle Wax and Armor All. They just advertise really well, have a cheap product, and make it readily available at big box stores.
Professional detailing products rarely advertise because they typically sell to businesses. They are 2-3 times more expensive (but they are 10 times better and last 2-3 times longer). And you really only get them direct from the producer. So people tend not to use more professional products and thus be able to compare them to the cheaper ones.

I used 303 once on my Softopper then gave the rest of the bottle to my neighbor. It just washed all down my bedsides in the rain.

 

What tire shine are you using? And does it add a gloss shine or more of a flat/new tire look? 2-3 months is a long time!

 

Petroleum products will definitely degrade weather stripping, but silicon is perfectly fine. Silicone, itself, is not a solvent, but the propellants in most silicone sprays are. Also, most weather strips and door seals are made of EPDM, and silicone is compatible with EPDM (see pages 14&15 here: http://www.mossrubber.com/pdfs/Chem_Res.pdf)

Edit: you can spray the silicon onto a clean cloth and apply it that way.

 

Chemical Guys tire and trim gel.

It gives a deep black look that is semi shiny.
I have matte black wheels so I don’t want tires that look wet because of how it looks with the matte.

It makes the tires and trim look new but not wet like the cheap tire shine stuff does.

 

Packcon,
Seriously, gave the rest of the bottle to your neighbor, after only using the product once?

Long term effectiveness is my set of tires, on the car I just sold, that look like they are two months old, but are actually 10 years old. I treated them both sides, and the tread, with 303 every 4 months.

Some of the material does wash off the surface. I don't like that either, but what soaks in appears to do the job. Trim and Tire Gel looks good after 3 to 4 months, but does it protect the tire long term, if it is reapplied every 3 to 4 months? Can you direct me to any test data, testimonials, or comparisons? I can't find anything.
Thanks,
John

 

Of course. Because I already owned and used better products, so why keep around a product I won’t use?

My yearly detail inside and out takes me two full days. Why would I continue to use a product that runs and causes me to have to redo work?

Plus I can’t use it on a client’s vehicle because it would make me look unprofessional.

I am unaware of any peer reviewed data indicating how effective CG Trim and Tire Gel blocks UVA and UVB radition to preserve the structural integrity and hydration of rubber compared to other products. But then again I’m unaware of the same data from 303.

I’ve been using my CG gel for 3 years. It stays as nice as the day I put it on for 3-4 months depending on time of year. It does well on my 15 year old Jeep as well.

I cannot speak to extended use as I would never run a set of tires for 10 years. Most tire manufacturers recommend replacement after no more than 8 years for safety reasons.
Selling a car to someone with tires that old would worry me.

You don’t need to take it personally I don’t like 303.
I just have superior options in my shop so I go with those.

 

For my part of the country tires last more like 5 years. Some fool upsold my wife a few years back on 70K tires when she does 8-10k a year. Things had a lot of meat left but dry rotted to hell..grrrr

 

Asking for trouble running tires for 10 years. Pretty sure there are plenty of test results out there about the age of tires.

 

I've been using 303 for years, never had an issue. I wonder why?

 

Has nothing to do with what a tire manufacturer recommends.

Works for you great. Some of us prefer a product that doesn’t need to be reapplies every other week.

 

Is this the CG product you recommend?
Chemical Guys TVD_107_16 V.R.P. Vinyl, Rubber and Plastic Non-Greasy Dry-to-the-Touch Long Lasting Super Shine Dressing for Tires, Trim and More (16 oz)

 

No their Tire and Trim Gel

 

Thanks for info. I was in a hurry had researched it too quickly.

 

Which chemical guys or other brand rim cleaner is safe for matte black rims? I’ve seen a quick detailer such as the Meticulous Matte Detailer for quick wipe down but is there any cleaners to actually wash them?

 

You want a De-Ironizer on wheels, then just use a soap to wash. Outside of that theirs not a need to use an aggressive wheel cleaner.

I use their Decon DeIronizer and the Diablo Wheel Gel with their wheel brushes.
I have matte black wheels

 

I hope the guy who bought that car is well aware of the age of those tires.

If he ever goes to a tire shop I’m sure they’ll refuse to touch them and let him know.

 

He did, and he didn't care, because of the look and feel of the tires, and he was planning on putting a more aggressive tire on it anyway. He drove the car 1000 miles home over the next two days without an issue. He was more concerned about overhead cam belt (also treated with 303) that was twenty years old. Again he didn't have an issue with that either. Go figure.

 

Was going to get my truck detailed - clayed, polished/waxed. Then he said for about $100 more he can do the sealer and its WAY better. Said wax would only last a month or so living near the beach but the sealer would last months.

Does that sound right and is sealer better especially for living at the beach?

TIA

 

Sealer is better. No way would I pay $100 for a sealer. How much is the total?