303 Vs. Detailer's Pro Series Interior Surface Protectant

Angus

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For this comparison test I'm going to use Detailer's Pro Series Interior Surface Protectant vs. 303 Aerospace Protectant on my 2009 BMW 335i convertible.

Prior to applying these two products, I cleaned the entire interior with Detailer's Pro Series Total Interior Cleaner:


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(Click here for my comparison review of DP TIC).

Detailer’s Pro Series Interior Surface Protectant:
For applying DP ISP I sprayed 2 shots on a foam applicator pad. DP ISP was given a quick shake before use:





Note: I tried taking a photo of ISP on the applicator pad but had difficulties capturing a good shot. It has a slight gel consistency that is quickly absorbed into by the foam pad.

From DP ISP product page on AG:
“Detailer’s Pro Series Interior Surface Protectant is a multi-surface shield for your vehicle’s interior. It maintains the supple, fresh texture of vinyl, leather, plastic, and rubber while blocking out harmful UV rays. Treated surfaces resist fading, drying, and cracking so your interior maintains a fresh new look. Detailer’s Pro Series Interior Surface Protectant keeps interior surfaces looking like new for the life of your vehicle.”

303 Aerospace Protectant:
For 303 I’m using the wipe version. No shaking required!





From 303’s product page on AG:
“Of all the products offered at the Autogeek, this one has to be the most versatile. Vinyl convertible tops, boat enclosures, tonneau covers, car bras, vinyl RV awnings, headlights, spa covers…these are just a few of the places that benefit from this protectant that contains an SPF 40 sunscreen.”

Side by side results: After applying both products to the driver’s side door trim I waited a moment before giving them a quick buff to knock down any high spots and removed the blue tape to expose my clean control surface:

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W/ iPhone flash on:
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As you can clearly tell, on both the textured vinyl and smooth plastic trim surfaces 303 left the finish MUCH darker then ISP. I couldn’t believe it when I removed the tape. I figured it would be close, but not this dramatic.

Smell: Both 303 and ISP have a fairly neutral smell. ISP may have a very slight hint of banana but I couldn’t tell for sure.

Cost: Since I used 303 wipes, I’m going to base my cost break down based on the 32 oz size of 303 available on AG so the price is more closely comparable:

  • DP ISP $.72 per oz/ $22.99 per 32oz bottle
  • 303 $.62 per oz/ $19.99 per 32oz bottle
Ok so there is a very minor difference in price, and with the right sale or BOGO you could really make out nicely on either. I choice the wipes mainly for dressing my engine compartment - one less MF to clean.

Conclusion: This is a tough one. Both products are competitively priced, don’t have offensive odors, can be used on all types of interior and exterior surfaces,and have UV protection from the damaging effects of the sun. Since both my wife and I have cars with dark color interior surfaces, I have to give 303 the advantage since it clearly makes black darker.

I decided to remove ISP from the driver side door and apply 303 to the whole surface as well as the dashboard and passenger side door. But used ISP on the rear deck and also in the rear passenger’s compartment. I’ll be sure to update this tread with any observations I have over the coming weeks.

A special thanks to the folks at AG for sending me a Detailer's Total Interior Combo kit as a surprise gift for coming in 3rd place in the “Post a Selfie” Facebook contest. I truly appreciated it. :dblthumb2:

Hope this review was helpful!
 
Did you do a final dry buff? They might be a little closer after that. I like the matte factory look, so I always do a final dry buff whether 303 or the other interior protectant I use is BF Interior Protectant. I do the final dry buff after I have applied to all surfaces, so the product gets about a 10-15 minute "cure" before the final wipedown.

Thanks for taking the time to put your review together! :props:
 
Great write up. I look forward to seeing updates down the road. Personally, I really like 303. Durability is exceptional and the finish is pretty spot on for my taste. Nice job :xyxthumbs:
 
Did you do a final dry buff? They might be a little closer after that. I like the matte factory look, so I always do a final dry buff whether 303 or the other interior protectant I use is BF Interior Protectant. I do the final dry buff after I have applied to all surfaces, so the product gets about a 10-15 minute "cure" before the final wipedown.

Thanks for taking the time to put your review together! :props:

Thank you for the props!

Interesting, so you wait 10-15 minutes allowing for a cure time before buffing the surface? I too prefer a matte finish over any sort of gloss or satin finish which is why I tend to wipe the surface before the product has a change to dry. My wife's car is due for a full detail, I'm going to re-do this test but will allow for a cure time and post those results to this tread. :dblthumb2:

Great write up. I look forward to seeing updates down the road. Personally, I really like 303. Durability is exceptional and the finish is pretty spot on for my taste. Nice job :xyxthumbs:

Thank you! I agree, 303 is just one of those solid go-to products that doesn't disappoint.
 
Thank you for the props!

Interesting, so you wait 10-15 minutes allowing for a cure time before buffing the surface? I too prefer a matte finish over any sort of gloss or satin finish which is why I tend to wipe the surface before the product has a change to dry. My wife's car is due for a full detail, I'm going to re-do this test but will allow for a cure time and post those results to this tread. :dblthumb2:

Yah, I guess I would call it cure...don't know if that is the right term. I don't put it on real heavy so I don't get much shine to begin with, but usually see some high spots that are more glossy and the dry buff blends everything in and leaves a matte finish.

A good thread is Todd Helme's on Autopia with the BF Interior Protectant. Talks about 4 different ways to apply to get different looks. Not sure if it works for all IP's.

I have a detail this weekend and could do a tapeoff test with the 303 and post some results up here on your thread if you don't mind me adding to it?
 
A good thread is Todd Helme's on Autopia with the BF Interior Protectant. Talks about 4 different ways to apply to get different looks. Not sure if it works for all IP's.

I have a detail this weekend and could do a tapeoff test with the 303 and post some results up here on your thread if you don't mind me adding to it?
Thanks for the tip on Todd's article. I'll take a look for it.

Sure man, please feel free to add to this post. I'm interested to see the results.
 
Thanks for the tip on Todd's article. I'll take a look for it.

Sure man, please feel free to add to this post. I'm interested to see the results.

I looked up Todd's thread just now and it is under "Blackfire Product Discussion" on page 1.

EDIT: just jumped in there and see you found it!
 
wdmaccord: Did you find the wipes had too much product on them?

I have 303 in both the wipes and the spray, but never use the wipes as they are almost dripping with product which leads to the product going on too thick and lots of extra buffing. With the spray I'm much better able to control how much I put down.
 
wdmaccord: Did you find the wipes had too much product on them?

I have 303 in both the wipes and the spray, but never use the wipes as they are almost dripping with product which leads to the product going on too thick and lots of extra buffing. With the spray I'm much better able to control how much I put down.

I don't have the wipes, I have the spray, so I spray it onto a 200 gsm MF towel then wipe down. I do final dry buff with thick nap side of a 530 gsm MF. Angus used the wipes, so he could comment...Angus?
 
I don't have the wipes, I have the spray, so I spray it onto a 200 gsm MF towel then wipe down. I do final dry buff with thick nap side of a 530 gsm MF. Angus used the wipes, so he could comment...Angus?

Sorry...I was scanning for the OP's name and somehow queued on your name. Yes, I meant Angus.
 
Thanks for the comparison.
303AP is hard to beat!

Bob
 
wdmaccord: Did you find the wipes had too much product on them?

I have 303 in both the wipes and the spray, but never use the wipes as they are almost dripping with product which leads to the product going on too thick and lots of extra buffing. With the spray I'm much better able to control how much I put down.

I wouldn't say my wipes are dripping with product, moist yes. Do you take the wipes from the center or outside of the roll? That could make a difference. I pull mine from the center and fold them into quarters before use and re-fold as needed. I also work the product in up/down then side to side for even application.

Next time around, I'm ordering the liquid version of 303. The wipes are great but not as cost affective, plus I'm further along in my product application learning curve. In rare cases 303 wipes are susceptible to mold growth. Late last summer my prior tube developed mold spots but since there was only a few left I pitched it. Now that the weather is getting warmer I'll move my current supply into the fridge in an effort to stop that from reoccurring.
 
I looked up Todd's thread just now and it is under "Blackfire Product Discussion" on page 1.

EDIT: just jumped in there and see you found it!

I sure did! Great info in that article - thank you again for the tip.
 
Ive been using Blackfire ISP, It has a nice matte look and no odor. DP was just too much banana for me.
 
I need to get a second opinion on just how odiferously banana DP ISP is.

I've read good things about Blackfire IP - it's too bad AG doesn't offer samples of that one.
 
Thanks for the comparison.
Last weekend was the first time I used DP ISP on the interior of my car.
The previous product was Adams Interior detailer which I liked but thought in the long run was too expensive.
So i got DP ISP. First off......very happy with the results.
As for the banana smell, it was quite pleasant while using it, not overbearing at all....just a hint but it did not linger afterwards (which is good).
 
Lasted about 3 days in my experience.

I'll stick my head into my 335i when i get home and have a sniff. It's been sealed up since I applied DP ISP on Sunday so if it stinks like a big banana I'll know pretty quick.

Question - how long ago did you receive your bottle of DP ISP? I'm wondering if the one I just got is possibly a newer version w/ a dialed back banana punch.
 
Thanks for the comparison.
Last weekend was the first time I used DP ISP on the interior of my car.
The previous product was Adams Interior detailer which I liked but thought in the long run was too expensive.
So i got DP ISP. First off......very happy with the results.
As for the banana smell, it was quite pleasant while using it, not overbearing at all....just a hint but it did not linger afterwards (which is good).

You're welcome! And thanks for verifying I'm not loosing my sense of smell!

How long ago did you purchase DP ISP?
 
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