Keeping 303 Aerospace from streaking

The title pretty much says it all. On some vehicles that have never had the exterior plastic dressed, I can NOT get the plastic to look uniform, there's always streaks. This isn't a huge concern, as I don't really do much to the exterior other than wash (and that's all I'm advertising and getting paid for, most of my focus is on interiors ) It's more for personal use, I collect typewriters and am using 303 Aerospace on the platen (cylindrical rubber thing that the paper goes around), no matter what I do it always streaks and it's getting on my nerves! I've been applying it with a small foam applicator and wiping the excess off with a microfiber towel after a minute or so...should I be waiting longer or not wiping any of it off at all?

Thanks,

Clark

 

Are you using your microfiber dry because when I use 303 on my matte finished laptop I use a damp microfiber and it takes care of the potential streaking

 

I dislike 303 aerospace on plastics that have already been hammered by UV light

My supra for instance, it's door handles and vents are chalky and white. 303 on them just makes them streaky and white. You literally need to hide such defects with a more substantial dressing that remains on the surface....something greasy, really.

I like meguiar's natural shine personally for black (turned white) exterior trim. easily available, works great. two coats increase gloss if you like. I also carry some stoner's trim shine for hard to reach areas, but the meg's natural shine gets used the most.

I have some black wow, aswell...but I charge them extra for that.

bottom line.. just stop trying with 303 on really poor condition stuff.


I use aerospace on the interior, only. I apply very liberally over everything ,after every panel has been thoroughly cleaned. Then I follow up with a clean microfiber and buff any streaks (although, there usually aren't many). After I finish everything else I give another final walk around and make sure everything is in order. One thing I have noticed is that sometimes on dark coloured dashes they can be extremley hot in the direct sunlight and the stuff will instantly streak. Always apply it in the shade.

 

Paint exterior trim/rubber with a brush or soft foam block.
Before doing so though, you really need to make sure the trim is cleaned - as slow flashing panel wipe, as used by the bodyshops prior to painting to remove silicones and other stuff.
That should give you the best clean surface to apply 303, and you shouldn't have any issue whether you buff or leave it.

 

where did you get the 303???

 

Try more than one coat.

Hahaha

 

I second the notion of cleaning the surface first. I've had luck with a quick wipe using 1:1 deionized H2O and IPA mix with an MF towel. You will see the worn out rubber/trim/dirt top layers coming off on your towel. Applying multiple coats of 303 is a good idea too.
HTH.