FAQ's
Tire Clearcoat - Spray & Shine - Black Restore

Tire Clearcoat

Is it really permanent?
Just as the clearcoat on a car is permanent, so is TUF Shine's tire clearcoat. With proper care, the tire clearcoat should outlast the tire. It has to be chemically removed. Normal pressure or hand washing will not remove the coating. Avoid strong tire and wheel cleaners that may dull the shine.

Is pre-cleaning necessary?
Yes. New tires have a factory silicone mold release agent on them, which must be removed first. Both new and used tires must be cleaned to remove oxidized rubber, road grime and especially silicone residues from other tire dressings. TUF Shine tire and wheel cleaner has been specially formulated to remove silicone. It is used only for the first cleaning and should not be used after the Tire Clearcoat is applied. After that, wash the tires with mild soap and water. Read and follow directions on the bottle for best results.

What if the tire isn't cleaned properly?
Because the clearcoat is water based, it will not to stick to silicone. The finish will flake or peel from areas where silicone was not completely removed.

How do I care for the clearcoat?
Wash tires with a mild soapy solution and a soft car wash brush or mitt. Always rinse the tire thoroughly after cleaning. Harsh tire cleaners will dull or remove the clearcoat.

Can I touch up scuffmarks?
Yes. Just apply TUF Shine to the area that needs repair. 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 also blocks out UV rays and damaging ozone and is permanent.

Will it attract dust and dirt?
TUF Shine 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 seals the pores in the rubber.

Will it work on whitewalls and raised white letters?
Yes. In fact, TUF Shine will seal the white rubber and prevent dirt and road grime from dulling it. Whitewalls and raised letters will stay white longer than uncoated tires. Always seal the white areas first with TUF Shine 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 has over 300% 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 is a super thin coating and can be applied often. Generally, the tires will not need touch-up for 2 to 4 months or longer, except for scuffmarks of course. It won't be 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 let dry.

Spray & Shine

How does it work?
Spray and Shine acts a cleaner to remove light dust, bug splatters, tar and bird droppings. It will level out imperfections in the clearcoat to give the paint a real sparkle and a glass like feel.

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, 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 are silicone derivatives in the product, but are not harmful to the paint.

Should the vehicle be washed first?
It is recommend that you wash the car first to conserve product and use less towels. Dirt can be trapped in the towel and could scratch the paint. It is OK to use Spray & Shine to remove light dust. Just make sure to coat the surface thoroughly and wipe with a soft towel.

What is the best towel to use?
Micro-fiber and soft terrycloth towels are best. Avoid using stiff or dirty towels. If the towel is dropped on the ground, start again with a new, clean towel to prevent scratches from dirt particles picked up by the towel. Fold towel during use to expose clean, dry sections.

How long will it take to apply Spray & Shine?
Generally, it should take 15 minutes or less to do an average passenger. Trucks, and vans will take longer.

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.

Will it leave any residue?
No. As long as it is buffed off properly it will not leave any residue or streaks. It can be used on black textured trim and moldings without leaving any white chalky residue.

Can it be used on windshields?
Yes. Make sure all residue and streaks are buffed off. It will repel rain and makes bug removal easier. Your wipers will work better since it makes the glass slicker and the wipers won't drag or chatter going across the windshield.

How many times can I treat car with a bottle of Spray & Shine?
On an average passenger car, it should provide 4 to 6 applications if the car is clean.

Is there anything in Spray & Shine that can scratch paint?
No.

Will it cause swirl marks?
No. It is great on black paint because it won't scratch or leave swirls.

Black Restore

What is Black Restore?
Black Restore is similar to the TUF Shine's Tire Clearcoat, but tinted black to restore the faded, chalky trim on cars, trucks, golf carts, boats and more.

How is it applied?
You apply it the same way as the tire clearcoat. Read also (Tire Clearcoat Instructions) & (Tire Clearcoat FAQ's)

What surfaces can I use it on?
Use Black Restore on hard plastic, rubber, fiberglass and paint. It will not adhere to some soft plastics like polyethylene, polyurethane, or other similar plastics that look waxy. Do not use on glass. 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, it should perform properly. Avoid getting it on whitewalls and raised white lettering. Occasional touch-ups may be necessary.

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's tire and wheel cleaner. Wipe cleaner on and off with a rag and avoid getting it on painted surface. Lacquer Thinner can be used if necessary. Test a small inconspicuous area first. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and let dry before applying Black Restore. Read also (Tire Cleaner Instructions)

Is it glossy?
No. It will leave a satin 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.