Yes RaggTopp is a UV protectant as well. The reason that 303 is getting harder to find is that less vendors are willing to carry it because it does not sell as well.

 

I used low-gloss Armour All on it after a wash and it looked and still looks like new. It brought back the dark color and I feel better in that I think it is protected from the UV rays and rain. I'll probably do this 2X a year.

 

I guess then I should be buying, say, ArmorAll (which still sells well) and avoid harder-to-find, low-volume products like, say, Zaino?

I haven't seen any market analysis of 303, but if you have, and indeed its getting harder to find because vendors are unwilling to carry it -- I'd like to know so I can hoard large amounts of the stuff. My sailing-fanatic friends would probably like to know as well.

I was introduced to 303 by the boating community here -- maybe its because of the large boating community that swears by it for all manner of marine plastics (read: more sun and elemental exposure) including fibreglass (as an alternative to wax) that I have a hard time finding it. The few suppliers here can't keep it on the shelf.

Is RaggTopp good for anything else? I am wondering how RaggTopp can be both a cleaner AND a protectant in one, and be effective at either. Forrest2b was concerned about products that are "all in one".

I have been slowly moving to different parts of my car with 303 and am impressed with how well it works on...so far...everything that is plastic in nature. It doesn't clean, it just nourishes and protects.

I keep running into this quote on automotive detailing sites that carry it:

> RAGGTOPP Protectant was specially developed to protect and
> maintain fabric convertible tops from harmful elements.

Probably is great stuff. However, I'll stick to a product designed especially for plastics (read: vinyl) and primarily with UV protection in mind.

303 isn't a cleaner. There is nothing special about cleaning vinyl -- regular soap and water works just fine.

There's a few other threads around talking about the uses of 303.

Enjoy!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SilverFog

I haven't seen any market analysis of 303, but if you have, and indeed its getting harder to find because vendors are unwilling to carry it -- I'd like to know so I can hoard large amounts of the stuff. My sailing-fanatic friends would probably like to know as well.

Your sailing friends will be happy to know that the replacement for 303 is now available... it's called BiminiTopp. I have not looked to see if the online supplies carry it yet, but it would be the best for their needs... as has been reinforced by the top manufacturers.

I was introduced to 303 by the boating community here -- maybe its because of the large boating community that swears by it for all manner of marine plastics (read: more sun and elemental exposure) including fibreglass (as an alternative to wax) that I have a hard time finding it. The few suppliers here can't keep it on the shelf.

Since RaggTopp is specifically formulated to answer to the harshness of all outdoor issues (read:sun, elemental, high wind, road debris, racing). This is the preferred product of people who know car care for high-speed and exotics. (Read: Porsche, Honda, Audi)

Is RaggTopp good for anything else? I am wondering how RaggTopp can be both a cleaner AND a protectant in one, and be effective at either. Forrest2b was concerned about products that are "all in one".

An actual read of the product data would reveal that there is a RaggTopp Cleaner product and a RaggTopp Protectant product. They are not one and the same. Written from the manufacturer and Haartz:"provided the most protection from U.V rays, smog, tree sap, bird droppings, salt, tar, dirt, grease and grit...is recommended and approved for Vinyl, Fabric, Nylon, and additionally Plastic Windows..."

> RAGGTOPP Protectant was specially developed to protect and
> maintain fabric convertible tops from harmful elements.

It is regrettable that some sites do not repeat the correct verbiage in enough places to catch your eye. But on these sites when you select the 'Vinyl Protectant', RaggTopp is what you get. In addition the product description does in fact specifically name Vinyl. I have also here the documentation from the manufacturer as well as the cans and I am reading the Vinyl/Fabric verbiage quite clearly on all.

Probably is great stuff. However, I'll stick to a product designed especially for plastics (read: vinyl) and primarily with UV protection in mind.

It is great stuff. I do hope you get to try it. And since it is specifcally designed for plastics and Vinyl as well as fabric(read: the documentation) then I am sure it will exceed your expectations as it has every person who has tried it. No one so far has gone from RaggTopp to 303, but plenty are going from 303 to RaggTopp.

303 isn't a cleaner. There is nothing special about cleaning vinyl -- regular soap and water works just fine.

After you have had your top for a while you will realize why the rest of us use a cleaner on the top. Soap and water alone will start to cloud the finish of the top and there will be adverse effects after. Adding the ArmorAll or 303 on top of this is simply sealing in the dirt and decayed fibers. This is specifically addressed in the press release from HAARTZ.

I don't work for RaggTopp. But I did do my homework on this stuff and I did maintain conversations with the presidents of several vendors in addition to the one at RaggTopp to learn the facts before I chose a product and then relayed it to my fellow Stook owners. I welcome you to embrace the facts as well, or contact any person you would deem knowledgeable. For starters:

Jim Hunt, President, Autofanatics
Rich Donley, HAARTZ
Rick Hesel, Owner, Rick's Signature Accessories
Rick Goldstein, President, Wolfstein's Pro Series

Bottom line, if you want a product that works 'OK, nothing spectacular' and requires application more often with less protection, by all means use 303. If you want serious protection from UV and all the other elements that are specific to owning a high performance Car... RaggTopp is your best option. You are welcome to read the other threads you were referring to... they all come around to endorsing RaggTopp over 303.

Also, if you want to send me a fax number, I will send you the documentation directly since I only have a printed copy.

CHEERS!

 

I am always up for trying new products. So far, 303 has exceeded expectations -- perhaps they were too low to begin with (having been happy with the Meguiar's line before that...)

I'll look into it. Thanks. Just one thing though:

Given that its textured, there isn't really a finish to cloud. There is a nice solid satiny black to it, yes -- keep that nourished, like any other plastic, and it'll stay that way.

As for "sealing in dirt" -- anything that acts to bead up water will potentially seal in dirt, including RaggTopp. Nobody should apply any sort of wax or protectant (303, RaggTop, etc.) over a surface that has not been thoroughly cleaned. As for the few websites I hit that told the virtues of RaggTopp, unfortunately, all of them seemed to think it was primarily for fabric and a cleaner/protectant. I'll go looking deeper for more accurate product descriptions when it comes time to redo my top.

When my last 303 treatment wears off (its still beading after 2 months, parked outside frequently) I'll clean it well and try RaggTopp. If the 303 continues to last as it has, that might be a while.

I've only been away a couple weeks -- maybe I missed something.

Either way, I'll eventually have my own evidence to rely on. As with 303, I was a "believe it when I see it" consumer.


Its next on my list then. I don't work for 303 either, and I specifically avoided the opinion of anyone who works for 303 or who was trying to sell me product. I looked at some very expensive watercraft at the marina here with a friend who knew the boats, their age, etc. and as far as these guys knew, 303 was a no-brainer for plastics.


In other news -- what are you using on your tires and trim?

 

Tires and trim... that depends. If I am showing and need it to stay slick and shiny then I would use a silicon like Westley's Bleche-White. However that is not wise if you are running tight corners as we do here during our mountain runs, so for after wash shine and drive I just use Finish2001. Lasts longer than ArmorAll, doesnt send you into a sidespin. Cheers.