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303 on what bits?

pawsplus

Paddler
Joined
Jan 19, 2015
Messages
1,063
Location
Landlocked in Tennessee
Having had a poly boat in the past, I'm not sure what to 303 on the new glass boat. Hatch covers, natch. But also the exterior rim of the hatch and coaming? What about the boat itself? I just did the hatch covers but was unsure what else to do. Thanks!
 
But also the exterior rim of the hatch and coaming?
I want the maximum 'friction' between the sprayskirt and coaming, so I definitely wouldn't put 303 on the coaming.
I'm not a big fan of 303 'Protectant' - it's expensive. I do use it (only) on the rubbery hatch covers, but often just grab one of the auto products (Auto Glym Vinyl and Rubber Care) which (IMO- others disagree) do the same thing.
 
I have used 303 on the deck of my boats when I think of it. Not familiar with John's other products. Some claim a good paste wax job is more durable. I definitely do not use anything like 303 on the coaming.

I seem to recall that 303 is designed more for soft goods like cockpit covers, etc.

The hull does not have as much exposure to UV, so I usually do not apply anything to the hull. If you need to repair a scrape or fracture, the 303 has to be removed aggressively because it may prevent good adhesion on new glass, etc. Eighty grit sandpaper, until no shine remains seems to work.
 
I have used it for years on my kayak and my car. It is especially good when applied to the black fiberglass trim around the cockpit. When polished up, it allows me to slide in/out with minimal friction. It darkens up the painted black rudder, the black trim along the sheer line and helps to give an airtight hatch cover seal when applied to the rubber trim around the hatches. Used on my my paddle, it brings up the shine and transparency of the gel coat and makes it slide easily in my hands. As the faces on my watch, gps, vhf radio age they are harder to see in bright conditions. The 303 makes them look like new and shed water much better. For my vehicles, I have an even longer list of uses for 303.
 
Would you use it on the lens of an waterproof camera (it's actually a clear screw on lens protection filter)?
 
Yes. Very important to keep the latex supple and well lubed. On multiday trips, over 3 days and up, I relube every third day or so. Some sunscreens kill latex, so if you use sunscreen on your neck or wrists, you might want to lube each night.
 
By "lube" you just mean the 303, right? Yes.] Mine is in a spray bottle--is there another way to get it that allows you to take it on trips?
Mine comes in a small 2 ounce nonaerosol spray bottle that I refill from a bigger bottle. I packit into one zip loc inside a second zip loc. No leaks ... yet. The spray bottle has a protective cap that prevents inadvertent squirts.
 
Yes. Very important to keep the latex supple and well lubed. On multiday trips, over 3 days and up, I relube every third day or so. Some sunscreens kill latex, so if you use sunscreen on your neck or wrists, you might want to lube each night.

By "lube" you just mean the 303, right?

303 is popular with sea kayakers, and Kokatat recommends it in their dry suit care guidelines:
https://kokatat.com/pdf/KokatatDSstorage.pdf

In the diving community, my friends tell me that using talc on the dry suit gaskets is the standard. Same as described here:
http://www.seaskin.co.uk/acatalog/SeaskinUserManual.pdf
SeaSkin also emphasize washing the gaskets with soapy water (to remove traces of oils from skin as well as sunscreen).

BTW, SeaSkin in the UK is an excellent place to get replacement gaskets - about 1/4 the cost charged in Canada/USA.

I've tried both 303 and talc on my drysuit gaskets and prefer talc.
 
I think talcum powder simply functions as a lubricant, checking various sources. As a "dry" lubricant, no liquid is transferred when you don a dry suit. The lubrication helps prevent tears. 303 does the same thing, but some do not like the feel of extra 303 on their skin.

Dry lubes like graphite perform a similar function.
 
Do you have a source in Victoria for large size containers of 303 at a decent price?
Sorry, my regular source is MEC or Ocean River Sports, whichever is cheaper at the time. I find that the regular size lasts a couple of years with regular use in my car and occasionally on the kayak.
 
I think talcum powder simply functions as a lubricant, checking various sources. As a "dry" lubricant, no liquid is transferred when you don a dry suit. The lubrication helps prevent tears. 303 does the same thing, but some do not like the feel of extra 303 on their skin.

Dry lubes like graphite perform a similar function.
Dave: The last time I used graphite to lube automotive parts, I was covered from head to toe with black smears. I would not recommend it for your latex drysuit gaskets.
 
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