Frequently Asked Questions
TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat
TUF SHINE Spray & Shine
TUF SHINE Black Restore
TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat
Is it really permanent?
Just as the clearcoat on a car is permanent, so is TUF SHINE Tire
Clearcoat. With proper care, TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat should outlast
the tire tread. Normal pressure or hand washing will not remove the
coating. Occasional touch-ups may be needed to maintain the desired
shine level.
Is pre-cleaning of new tires necessary?
Yes. It is of utmost importance to clean the tire properly. TUF
SHINE Tire Cleaner has been specially formulated to remove silicone.
New tires have a factory silicone or waxy mold release agent on the
sidewall, which must be removed first. Both new and used tires must
be cleaned to remove oxidized rubber, road grime and especially
silicone residues from previous tire dressings. The TUF SHINE Tire
Cleaner is used only for the first cleaning and should not be used
after TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat is applied since it may dull the
finish. After that, wash the tires with mild soap and water. Read
and follow directions on the bottle for best results.
Is TUF SHINE Tire Cleaner safe for wheels?
The cleaner is generally safe for most wheels and mild compared to
competitors cleaners. In rare instances, it may cause minor spotting
on some uncoated aluminum wheels. These can be polished out. Always
test a small area first and clean only cool tires and wheels. Do not
use in direct sunlight or allow cleaner to dry on wheels. Rinse
thoroughly after cleaning.
What if the tire isn't cleaned properly?
Because TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat is water based, it will not stick
to silicone. The finish will flake or peel from areas where silicone
tire dressings were not completely removed.
How do I care for the tires following application?
Care for the finish as you do the paint. Wash tires with a mild soap
and water and a soft car wash brush or mitt. Always rinse the tire
thoroughly with clear water and agitate with a brush while rinsing.
Harsh tire cleaners and degreasers will dull and may remove some of
the TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat.
Can I touch up scuffmarks?
Yes. Just apply TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat to the area that needs
repair. Denatured Alcohol (available at most hardware stores) works
great to smooth and repair scratches in the finish and the rubber.
Apply the alcohol to a slightly damp rag and wipe across scratch
until it disappears or is marginalized. Build up the finish to
match the rest of the tire by dabbing clearcoat on the scuffed areas
only. Allow each coat to dry before applying additional coats.
Usually 2 or 3 coats should do the trick. You might want to blend it
in by applying a final coat to the entire tire.
How does it protect the tire?
TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat seals in lubricants that are built into the
tire at the factory. Without TUF SHINE, these lubricants will
evaporate or wash off and may cause the tire to oxidize and/or
crack. Other products are designed to lubricate the rubber, but must
be applied often to maintain protection. TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat is
PERMANENT.
Will it attract dust and dirt?
TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat is a dry, anti-static finish. Dust and dirt
will not stick to the tire. You can actually dust your tires or
rinse them off with a garden hose. Dirt and mud will wash off more
easily because TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat seals the pores in the
rubber.
Will it work on whitewalls and raised white letters?
Yes. In fact, TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat will seal the white rubber
and prevent dirt and road grime from penetrating and dulling it.
Whitewalls and raised letters will stay white longer than uncoated
tires. Always seal the white areas first with TUF SHINE Tire
Clearcoat and let it cure for 5 minutes or more before coating the
black portion of the tire. This way, if any black residue is wiped
onto the whitewalls, a dampened rag will remove it before it has a
chance to dry on the white sections.
Will it crack or turn brown?
No. TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat has over 500% elasticity and will not
crack. The finish was tested under extreme weather conditions by an
independent lab and remained clear. Extreme heat may cause amber
colored anti-ozonants to bloom to the surface and turn whitewalls
yellow. These anti-ozonants are formulated into the rubber compound
at the factory. All competitive dressings had the same yellowing
effect when tested under the same conditions.
Can you apply too many coats?
TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat is a super thin coating and can be applied
often. Generally, except for scuffmarks, the tires will not need
touch-up for 2 to 4 months or longer. It is not necessary to apply
as many coats as would be needed with other tire dressings to
maintain a shine.
Can I re-use the applicator sponge?
Yes. After each use, rinse with clean water and allow to dry.
TUF SHINE Spray & Shine – Quick Detail
Spray
How does it work?
TUF SHINE Spray & Shine is a quick detailer that acts as a cleaner
to remove light dust, bug splatters, fingerprints, tar and bird
droppings. It will level out microscopic imperfections in the clear
coat to give paint that just waxed look, enhancing the gloss and
shine in just minutes.
How long will the finish it last?
The protection will last for 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how the car
is stored, weather conditions, and how the car is washed. It is not
a substitute for regular wax, but will extend the time period
between wax jobs.
Does it contain silicone?
Yes. There is a trace amount of silicone (less than 1%), which helps
to enhance the shine and durability. Most waxes have small amounts
of silicone in them
Should the vehicle be washed first?
It is recommended that you wash the car first to conserve product
and use less towels. Dirt can be trapped in the towel and scratch
the paint. It is OK to use TUF SHINE Spray & Shine to remove light
dust. Just make sure to coat the surface thoroughly and lightly wipe
and buff with a soft towel. A light spray is all that is needed.
What is the best towel to use?
Micro-fiber and soft terrycloth towels are best. Avoid using stiff
or dirty towels. Spray a section, wipe it with one towel and then
buff dry with a second towel, folding often. This way, as the first
towel becomes damp, you still have a dry towel to use for the final
wipe.
How long will it take to apply TUF SHINE Spray & Shine?
Generally, it should take 15 minutes or less to do an average
passenger car. Trucks and vans will take longer.
Can I use it in direct sunlight?
Yes, It is always recommended to apply to a cool surface out of
direct sunlight. Most other quick detailers must be used on a cool
surface, TUF SHINE Spray & Shine may be sprayed directly on a hot
surface. It will NOT streak if wiped dry immediately.
Can I use it on the interior of the car?
Yes, but only on non-porous surfaces. Do not use on leather, vinyl
or cloth. Spray on towel and apply rather than spraying directly on
surface to avoid overspray.
Will it leave any residue?
No. As long as it is buffed off properly it will not leave any
residue or streaks. It may be used on black textured trim and
moldings, chrome, glass and paint without leaving any white chalky
residue. To avoid streaking, always buff the surface dry. DO NOT
allow to self-dry.
Can it be used on windshields?
Yes. It’s fantastic on windshields. The water repellant feature
allows water to race off the glass. Make sure all residue and
streaks are buffed off completely. It will repel rain and makes bug
removal easier. The windshield wipers will work better since it
makes the glass slicker and the wipers won't drag or chatter going
across the windshield. Always clean wiper blades to enhance their
performance.
How many times can I treat my car with a bottle of TUF SHINE Spray &
Shine?
On an average passenger car, it should take only 2 to 3 ounces and
provides 6 to 10 applications if the car is clean.
Is there anything in TUF SHINE Spray & Shine that can scratch paint?
No. Proper application and soft towels are a must to avoid
scratching the paint.
Will it cause swirl marks?
No. It is perfect for dark colors because it won't scratch or leave
swirls.
TUF SHINE Black Restore
What is TUF SHINE Black Restore?
TUF SHINE BLACK RESTORE is similar to the TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat,
but tinted black to restore the faded, rubber and chalky trim on
cars, trucks, golf carts, boats and more.
What surfaces can I use it on?
Use TUF SHINE BLACK RESTORE on black, hard plastic and rubber
surfaces. It will not adhere to some soft plastics like
polyethylene, polyurethane, or other similar plastics that look
waxy. It is best to first test it on questionable surfaces for
proper adhesion. Allow a few days to cure and then try to scratch it
off with your fingernail. If it does not scratch off with moderate
pressure, it should perform properly. Use it on tires if you prefer
a matte finish, but avoid getting it on whitewalls and raised white
lettering. Occasional touch-ups may be necessary.
How is it applied?
You apply it the same way as the tire clearcoat. Read also (Tire
Clearcoat Instructions) & (Tire Clearcoat FAQ’s)
Is pre-cleaning necessary?
Yes. All surfaces must be pre-cleaned to remove any silicone, oils,
oxidized rubber/plastic, and any dirt clinging to the surfaces. Prep
the area with TUF SHINE Tire Cleaner diluted 4 to 1 with water. Use
a brush with bristles similar to a toothbrush or a sponge to deep
clean textured surfaces. Avoid letting cleaner dry on painted
surfaces. Have a hose handy so you can rinse constantly while
cleaning. Test a small inconspicuous area first. Rinse thoroughly
with clean water and let dry before applying TUF SHINE BLACK
RESTORE. Read also (Tire Cleaner Instructions)
Is it glossy?
No. It will leave a semi gloss finish, similar to new rubber. For
added shine, apply one or more topcoats of TUF SHINE Tire Clearcoat
until the desired gloss level is achieved.
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