I came across this YouTube video today and thought I would see what others thought about it. I got some of this preservative in a goodie bag at a show some years ago and never did use it...maybe now I have a good use for it.

 

I have a hard time seeing how that won't collect all kinds of dirt. Also skeptical about his statement that "any kind of protectant" is OK. The 303 he uses in the video, maybe. ArmorAll?

I worked with big belt-driven HVAC fans and recip air compressors, with multiple drive belts that were matched lengths and cost hundreds of dollars each. If something like this worked, I would think I'd have seen it, but I never did. I would love to hear what Gates says about using this stuff.

 

Here's some FAQs on 303. https://www.goldeagle.com/brands/303-faqs

 

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't. I've worked in heavy industry and maritime all my life (lots and lots of pumps, fans, compressors, and blowers), and in one case with a six part C-section single belt driving a HVAC air handler (a huge *****). Any snake oil that was ever used diminished the life of the belts. Heat is the biggest belt killer, dust and dirt the second. The only belts that I have come to admire for their longevity are those segmented belts produced by Fenner Drives.

 

How about slippage on P/S V-belt?

 

Are you talking to me?
I haven't used them in a p/s application, but I have them on my dozer, excavator, skid steer, drill press, and table saw. A very noticeable reduction in vibration on the drill press and table saw. They will be on the mixer when I get around to it.

 

I have Vintage Air Frontrunner accessory setups on both my SBFs and I was told by V/A to remove the serpentine belt until such time as I was driving the car regularly. This got me thinking about the stresses there are on these belts as they make some fairly sharp turns and changes in direction of pressure. If there is a way to isolate the rubber in the belt from the oxygen in the air then the belt should stay pliable for a longer period of time. As for Gates and what they might say...if I were in the business to sell belts I don't think that I would want one that lasted longer than the normal life of the car. Planned obsolescence is a fact of life. The cost of the treatment is minimal and if it doesn't work then you wouldn't be out much, at worst the belt would last for 30K miles and get replaced in the normal cycle.

 

I'll post a picture of the serpentine belt I changed out on my '08 F-350 six months ago at 122,000 miles. The coolant pump is even driven from the back non-grooved side of the belt.

 

All I can is that 303 is the stuff. No greasy feeling, no dirt collection and really stops the UV rays. We use it on our outdoor hot tub cover that sits in the sun at 6000 feet and gets buried in snow (800+ inches last year) It has more than doubled the life of my cover.
That being said I don't know about usong it on a drive belt but like Charlie said what are you out if it doesn't work 40-50 dollars and if does time and money ahead.

 

I have a little tool Gates gives out for measuring the wear on multi-rib belts. Personally I've never found a multi-rib that wore out before it cracked, but I have to wonder if wear wouldn't limit the belt's life if it is treated. Gates gives out the tool for free, How to Check Serpentine Belts for Wear | Gates Corporation

Good video there too.

 

Very skeptical the so called 300000 mile belt still have the bends in it from when you take it out of the package. If it had that many miles on it would be round.