POLISHES in General (Start separate threads for specific brand names)

**Wired** · 2004-Sep-12 10:07

Hi all,

I use the polish that Cocoon[rdx]72[/rdx] sells. Milky pale blue stuff with a nice smell to it. It doesent give that gleaming ,glossy look that you see in photo's but gives a sort of satin effect and leaves a very smooth almost frictionless feel to the latex.

Regards,
Wired.

RubberLizard · 2004-Sep-13 04:34

I agree that websites (including this thread, at times) can give a lot of conflicting advice about the use or stuff like Armor All.

From personal experience, I've used it occasionally on all my gear, and I have never had a piece "turn to goo" or had glue seams come undone. I've got some suits that I've had for about 5 years now and no observed ill effects. I now generally give them a coat first thing.

It does make the a bit tacky, but JUST a bit, and it offsets that by making the rubber seem to "flow" a bit better, feels softer to the touch, generally more sensual. The coating can smudge a bit, but one wipe and its back to a nice mirror surface..

**Sandi** · 2004-Oct-15 17:11

I seem to have run into a problem with the Knees of my stocking no longer wanting to take a shine using Armorall.

It was fun having the dress for Southern Comfort lots of compliments and folks wanting to "feel".
Sandra

**RubberKat** · 2004-Dec-20 21:18

How often should you polish your latex? does polishing keep it in better condition? I've never polished mine, and I'm worried if I dont it wont last as long! Can you recommend a good polish for a cocoon inflatable catsuit? Preferably a cheap polish that will protect it.

Cheers

HK

**Gord** · 2004-Dec-21 00:15

Hi HoagieKat and others,

I have to agree with RubberLizard that information on this subject can conflict and certainly confuse! This thread and its predecessors has been going for years, but with no clear recommendations - but would YOU like to be the one to tell everyone to use Brand X, then find everyone's gear melted? I sure wouldn't! The one bit of clear advice seems to be to avoid anything with petroleum distillates or other oragnic solvents - that's a clear path to goo!

With regard to your question on your Cocoon suit - just flick down 4 posts to Wired's note on Cocoon's own 'polish' - seems to be made for the job. It's probably not as cheap as you'd like - but I guess the suit wasn't cheap either so it might be a good investment.

I would like to ask generally how many members actually DO polish their gear - is that ALL of it or just some outer wear, do you polish it EVERY time or just for certain occasions, and do you have any gear that you NEVER polish at all?

Most of my stuff never sees polish, and some of it is over ten years old; I wouldn't have thought that NOT polishing would have any adverse affect - unless YOU know otherwise

Gord.

Dark · 2004-Dec-21 02:18

Polish or perish?

Since you need some sort of lube get the tight stuff on... if you use talc... it will inevitably make its way to the surface. This kinds of makes the normal shiny surface go dull and in an uneven way... emphasizing the seams. Polishing will make the surface look more uniform, hide the seams.

But polishing tend to be the road you go down... you can't come back... well it's work getting back again. Removing the residual polish can be work because it tends to really sticky... and that can become sticky. Sticky attracts dust.. so you see what you are up against.

Polishes make the surface not only shiny but super slick.. and when applied generously some can "rub off" when it contacts other materials. So consider this when slipping on a coat or some other garment.

And speaking of slipping, be careful not to accidentally apply the silicon to the floor because you will find your floors as slippery as ice to walk on.

Polishes are a must for snappy epics. Most photographers are using some form of silicone. And they can get to all the places you can't reach. Polishing for couples is definitely part of the fun.

Silicone polishes offer some level of protection and maybe even UV protection if you are going into the sun a lot.

Seems to me that when you are flying solo.. polishing may be more trouble than it's worth. But you can't be seen without it... and it's expensive too.

**Wired** · 2004-Dec-21 16:42

Hi all,

I polish all my latex gear,suits,hoods,gloves,tights and even my gasmasks usually before I gear up. Only on the outside though. I use ,as Gord points out, the milky blue polish available from Cocoon. I believe it's water based with the addition of natural waxes. I've experienced the tacky, dust gathering effects caused by using Silicone based polishes as described by Dark and I much prefer the not so glossy but very smoooooth feeling provided by the Cocoon polish. It makes any dust or other detritus that may land on the surface removable by a quick blow of air or a dry cloth. The polish is applied with a damp cloth,allowed to dry and then gently buffed with a dry, lint free cloth. Once dried and buffed the effect is one of almost frictionless feeling, very sensous to the touch and your legs wont stick together if you cross them

. I think it's the same liquid that's available in larger quantities from,

Micro Chemical Products
Tel. 0208 876 7775,
Fax. 0208 878 8915.
Their postal address is -
24a Grove Road,
London, SW13 0HH.

although I would appreciate confirmation about this from more informed members.

I dont think leaving your gear unpolished will harm it, I suppose it's just a question of personal preference or aesthetics.

Regards,
Wired.

**RubberKat** · 2004-Dec-22 07:52

I think in the new year I'll be investing ?5 in some of the cocoon polish, I like the sound of it! I wouldn't order it off the cocoon site though, it seems to want to charge me ?8 for postage!

Cheers guys...

**Wired** · 2004-Dec-22 13:33

Hi HoagieKat

Postage to the UK is only a quid for the bottle of polish see below.

Price ?5 per 250ml bottle Order Now
Postage ?1 UK, ?2 Europe, ?3 Overseas.
When sent with clothing order no postage is needed as this will be included with your order.

from cocoon1.com

hth
Wired.

**Gord** · 2004-Dec-22 19:14

Whether you polish or not ...

I find on older garments that the inherent glossy surface of the latex rubber tends to get worn on rub points such as knees and elbows (and that's without too much grovelling either!)

I have tried a couple of shining agents as described in these threads but never managed to restore that 'as-new' gloss to those points. I guess it really is just wear. But, has anyone found a secret remedy for this problem?

Gord.