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303® Vinyl Protectant Spray Review: Pros & Cons, Pricing, and More
The sun's extreme UV rays can eventually cause your spa cover to crack, peel, or fade. You can extend the life of your spa cover by keeping it clean and adding a protectant product like the 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray. Keep reading to learn more.
What is 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray?
The 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray, also known as 303® Automotive Protectant, was initially developed for aerospace and aviation applications. It offers the best defense against the sun’s harsh UV rays, which can damage vinyl, rubber, and plastic surfaces, causing discoloration, fading, and cracking.
The 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray helps surfaces resist lint, dust, dirt, and stains. It also dries to a clean matte finish without the sticky, oily feeling that many protectants leave behind. This finish also helps to repel water.
303 Spa Cover Vinyl Protectant Spray (473ml)
Can you use 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray on a vinyl spa cover?
Yes! You can use it on your vinyl spa cover. It’s also perfect for boat seating, car covers, inflatable boats, and convertible tops. Aside from vinyl, the 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray can be used on a wide range of surfaces, such as rubber (both synthetic and natural), plastics, polished leather, PVC, colored gel-coat fiberglass, and transparent vinyl (Eisenglass) windows.
However, do not use this product on fabrics like canvas, unfinished leathers, floorings, gauge panels, clear plastics, and headlights.
Does the 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray contain silicone?
The 303® Protectant Spray does not contain silicone formulation. Silicone oil is harmful and can damage and dry out your vinyl spa covers.
Is the 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray the same as the 303® Aerospace Protectant?
The 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray (303® Automotive Protectant [SKU-30382]) is the new look and repackaged version of the well-known 303® Aerospace Protectant (SKU-30308). It has an advanced formula that can give your vinyl spa cover the utmost UV rays protection.
What are the Pros of the 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray?
The 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray has many benefits;
- Keeps surfaces looking sleek and new
- Provides 100% UV protection for your spa cover to prevent fading and cracking.
- Helps your cover maintain its colour and brightens the surface to maintain a glossy finish.
- It is a non-oily protectant that leaves a dry, clean, and matte finish without the greasy feeling.
- Provides resistance to dirt, dust, lint, soil, stain, and water.
- Doesn’t contain harmful silicone oil.
- Not harmful to the environment.
- Non-flammable.
- Protects a wide variety of surfaces such as vinyl, plastics, rubber and many more.
Is the 303® Protectant Spray worth it?
If you are looking for a product that will help keep your spa cover from fading, drying out, and breaking over time, YES it is worth it! The 303® Protectants provide a sun protection factor (SPF) of 40, the highest level of defence against the sun’s UV rays of any surface protectant.
Thus, making them the most effective protectant available on the market currently.
Is the 303® Aerospace Protectant a cleaner?
The 303® Aerospace Protectant is not a cleaner. It only serves as a protectant. Apply it only to clean surfaces. You can use the 303® Fabric and Vinyl Cleaner - Trigger Spray to clean your spa cover before using the 303® Aerospace Protectant.
How long does the 303® Aerospace Protectant last?
Its maximum UV protection lasts for 30 to 45 days, making it cost-effective. It is recommended to re-apply it to your spa cover every 3 to 5 weeks for greater results.
Is the 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray the same as Armor All®?
Armor All® is a petroleum-based protectant that is primarily effective for being used on vehicle tires and interiors. It doesn't give sufficient UV protection, but it gives a shiny and gloss finish to surfaces.
However, it leaves an oily feeling, making the surface attract dirt and dust, instead of repelling them.
The 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray offers excellent UV protection compared to Armor All®. It repels dust, dirt, and water and leaves a non-greasy feel to surfaces. Yes, it is pricier, but for the average user, a bottle will last a very long time.
How do you apply the 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray?
Follow these simple steps to achieve the best results:
Step 1:
Since the 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray is not a cleaner but a polish, make sure that the surface is totally clean and dry before using it. You can use the 303® Fabric and Vinyl Cleaner - Trigger Spray to clean your spa cover.
A microfibre cloth makes cleaning easier for surfaces that have heavy dirt and mould. Let the surface dry.
Step 2:
Spray the 303® Vinyl Protectant directly to your spa cover. Apply an ample amount to completely cover the surface. You can also put it directly onto a towel or microfibre cloth.
Step 3:
Using a dry microfibre towel, wipe the surface and let it completely dry. Streaks show that too much product has been applied. Apply a damp towel to wipe away extra.
Step 4:
For best results, further polishing or buffing can be done to remove unbound polymers.
How can I protect my vinyl spa cover?
Here are the ways to protect your vinyl spa cover and ensure its excellent condition for years.
Keep it clean.
Maintaining cleanliness is one of the best ways to take care of your spa cover. Start by frequently cleaning off any dust, grime, and debris. Avoid letting your spa cover lay on grass or dirt to avoid extra effort in cleaning. If your spa is mounted under trees or shrubs, take care to brush away the leaves to prevent them from discolouring your spa cover over time.
To avoid scratching the vinyl, clean the cover with a delicate microfiber cloth, warm water, and a dedicated cleaner safe for vinyl. Using aggressive soaps and detergents could eventually dry up the spa cover.
For best results, we advise using a specialized vinyl cleaner like the 303® Fabric and Vinyl Cleaner - Trigger Spray. On the outside of the cover, you can use the 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray for maximum UV protection to prevent fading, cracking, and discolouring.
Avoid using oil-based protectants and those that contain silicone oil since they magnify sunlight, which scorches your spa cover.
Balance the water
Keeping the pH levels of your spa water helps preserve the condition of your spa cover. Acidic spa water can damage the underside of the cover, and it may eventually absorb moisture.
As a result, the cover will become puffy, waterlogged and heavy, making it hard to use. Eventually, your spa cover can start to disintegrate in your water balance is incorrect for an extended period. Use a test strip or an automatic pH reader to check the pH of the water in your spa regularly.
Spas should have a pH between 7.2 and 7.8. If the number is less than 7.2, it means that your water is acidic. Need help balancing your spa water? View our detailed article on measuring, adjusting and balancing spa pH and alkalinity.
Always keep it dry
Spa covers can become soggy, making it difficult to pull them on and off your spa. You can prevent this by taking the cover off from time to time, allowing it to air dry for a few hours. It will reduce the amount of water the cover absorbs.
Don’t store items on top of spa covers
Keep everything off the top of the spa cover and avoid climbing up on top of your cover. This will help extend the life of the aluminium bracing and foam core. By following these steps, you can extend the life of your spa cover and protect it from sagging or breaking prematurely.
Use a cover lifter
One way to protect your spa cover is to use a cover lifter. A cover lifter helps you lift the cover much more easily, but it will also help prevent your spa cover from getting scratched or damaged by reducing the need to man-handle or drag the cover on and off the spa.
Using a cover lifter also helps to disperse the weight of the cover evenly while you are lifting it, preventing undue load on one particular point.
Repair it
You can inspect the inner foam core by simply removing the outer vinyl cover. Most spa covers have a zipper mechanism so you can do this easily. Underneath the vinyl outer, you will see the foam core is encased in a plastic protective waterproof covering.
If you notice moisture inside the waterproof sheath then the foam core may be absorbing water.
You can seal any holes or seams with duct tape or a sealant product.
Otherwise, the cover is going to get heavy from the accumulated water in the foam, which may lead it becoming waterlogged and eventually breaking.
How much does the 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray cost?
The 303® Vinyl Protector Spray costs $29.95. It can be more expensive compared to other protectant, but the benefits you can get from it are worth the price. Its best feature is its maximum UV protection that other similar products can’t give.
Where can I buy the 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray?
You can find this amazing item and a wide range of spa cover items and cleaning products at Spastore.com.au.
In Summary
Spa covers are very important to protect the expensive components in your spa pool. The vinyl on your spa cover can be damaged by dirt, dust, mold and, most of all – the sun’s UV rays.
The 303® Vinyl Protectant Spray is a must-have to ensure that your spa cover lasts a long time. It makes surfaces resistant to dirt, dust, lint, stains, and water and has an SPF 40 (the highest in protectants) that will protect spa covers from getting damaged by the sun. It will definitely help keep your vinyl spa cover clean, looking-good, and well-maintained.
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DISCLAIMER: The following registered trademarks are owned by companies not affiliated in any way with Spa World™ or Vortex Leisure Pty Ltd – the parent company of Spa World Ltd:
303® Vinyl Protectant Spray (303® Automotive Protectant), 303® Aerospace Protectant trademark, and 303® Fabric and Vinyl Cleaner - Trigger Spray are owned by Gold Eagle Co.
Armor All® trademark is owned by Energizer Holdings Inc.
