What is Polyglaze Tyre Shine, and where should you use it?
Polyglaze Tyre Shine is a high quality, silicone based treatment that gives tyres a long-lasting, wet-look shine. It comes as a 350g aerosol can, it protects surfaces against UV rays, and Selleys states the finish lasts for weeks, not days.
It is designed for use on cars, trucks and vans, and can also be used on plastic mouldings on vehicles. Before you buy it, read the exclusion list further down: this product is explicitly not to be used on motorcycle tyres, vinyl seats, steering wheels or vehicle pedals. Those are stated limitations, not suggestions.
Technical specification
| Property | Typical result |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear, aerosol dispensed fluid |
| Solubility | Not soluble in water |
| Flammability | Highly flammable — extremely flammable aerosol |
| Pack size | 350g aerosol can |
| Application | Cars, trucks and vans; plastic mouldings on vehicles |
| Storage | Pressurised dispenser — do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50°C |
These figures are indicative data from the product's technical data sheet and are not intended for the preparation of specifications.
What "not soluble in water" and "lasts for weeks" mean in practice
The two most useful properties on that table are connected. Because the treatment is not soluble in water, rain and puddles do not simply wash it back off, which is what allows a silicone-based dressing to last for weeks rather than being gone after the first wet drive. It is also why the product is a treatment rather than a cleaner — it stays where you put it.
The same property has a practical consequence at application time. Anything you overspray onto a surface you did not want treated will not rinse off with water, so mask or shield adjacent surfaces you care about, and keep the spray directed at the tyre.
The UV protection claim is why regular use is worth more than an occasional heavy application. Ultraviolet light is what perishes rubber and greys plastic mouldings over years, and a UV-protecting dressing works by being present, not by being thick.
Why older tyres take more than one coat
Selleys makes a specific note about this: the appearance of tyre shine after application will vary depending on the age and condition of the tyres. Older tyres will soak up the product very easily, meaning more than one coat may be required to obtain the desired finish.
This is worth knowing before you conclude the can is faulty. A weathered tyre has a dry, porous surface that absorbs the first coat almost entirely, so the wet-look finish simply does not appear. The answer is another coat, not more pressure or a longer spray on the first pass. On a new or well-maintained tyre, one even coat will normally do it.
Where to use it
- Car, truck and van tyres
- Mudflaps
- Plastic mouldings on vehicles
How to apply it
- Shake the can well before use, and work in a well-ventilated area.
- Thoroughly clean the area to be treated and allow it to dry. A dressing applied over road film sits on top of the dirt rather than on the rubber, and it will not last.
- Shake the can well again, then spray even coats of Tyre Shine over the tyres and mudflaps.
- Wipe over the surfaces with a clean dry cloth for the wet-look finish.
- Apply a further coat if needed — older tyres soak up the product and may need more than one to reach the finish you want.
Limitations — where it must NOT be used
The data sheet gives a short, explicit exclusion list. Do not use Polyglaze Tyre Shine on:
- Motorcycle tyres
- Vinyl seats
- Steering wheels
- Vehicle pedals
What those four have in common is that they are all surfaces something or someone has to grip — a rider's contact patch with the road, a driver's contact with the seat, the wheel and the pedals. A silicone dressing that makes rubber and plastic glossy is the wrong thing on any of them. There is no application technique that makes these exclusions safe; use a product intended for those surfaces instead.
Safety — this is a pressurised, extremely flammable aerosol
The stated safety directions are:
- EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE AEROSOL.
- Keep away from sources of ignition.
- No smoking.
- Do not spray on or near sparks, flames or any incandescent material.
- Do not pierce or burn, even after use. An empty can still holds propellant.
- Use in a well-ventilated area.
Storage
- Pressurised dispenser — do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50°C. A closed car in an Australian summer easily passes that, so the boot is the wrong place to keep the can.
- Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, out of direct sunlight.
- Store away from foodstuffs.
Hazard classification
Classified as hazardous under Safe Work Australia GHS 7, with the signal word Danger.
- Aerosols — Category 1. H222: extremely flammable aerosol. H229: pressurised container, may burst if heated.
- Skin irritation — Category 2. H315: causes skin irritation.
- Eye irritation — Category 2A. H319: causes serious eye irritation.
Dangerous Goods Class 2.1 (flammable gas), UN 1950, proper shipping name AEROSOLS, under road, rail, sea (IMDG) and air (IATA) regulations. Under IMDG it is additionally classified a Marine Pollutant.
What is in it
| Chemical entity | CAS number | Proportion (w/w) |
|---|---|---|
| Heptane | 142-82-5 | 30–60% |
| Hydrocarbons, C3-4 (propellant) | 68476-40-4 | 10–30% |
| Non-hazardous ingredients | — | Balance |
Heptane at 30–60% is the carrier that puts the silicone onto the tyre wall and then evaporates. It is also why a tyre dressing carries the same H222 classification as a spray adhesive.
The marine pollutant classification is worth noting for disposal rather than use: do not rinse overspray into a stormwater drain. On a driveway, that is exactly where wash-off goes.
Two practical points specific to this product. Overspray onto the tread rather than the sidewall leaves a slippery contact patch — keep it to the sidewall and wipe any that reaches the tread. And do not spray near an ignition source in a garage: the vapour is heavier than air and a pilot light on a water heater at floor level is the classic case.
Protection
- Gloves — nitrile rubber for intermittent contact; assess against your own conditions.
- Eye protection — chemical goggles or safety glasses.
- Ventilation — use only in a well-ventilated area, with local exhaust where available. Vapour is heavier than air and collects in hollows; do not work in a confined space.
- Clothing — wash hands before eating, drinking or smoking, and wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
First aid
| Exposure | What to do |
|---|---|
| Eyes | Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, removing contact lenses if present and easy to do, then keep rinsing. If irritation persists, get medical advice. |
| Skin | Wash with plenty of soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse. If irritation develops, get medical advice. |
| Inhalation | Move the person to fresh air, keep them at rest and warm. If effects persist, seek medical advice. |
| Swallowed | Do not induce vomiting. Rinse the mouth and seek medical advice immediately. |
If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or the Poisons Information Centre — 131 126 in Australia, 0800 764 766 in New Zealand — with the container to hand. Selleys emergency line: 1800 220 770 in Australia, 0800 220 770 in New Zealand.
Common questions about Polyglaze Tyre Shine
Can I use it on motorcycle tyres?
No. Motorcycle tyres are on the manufacturer's do-not-use list.
Can I use it on the steering wheel or pedals to smarten them up?
No. Steering wheels and vehicle pedals are both specifically excluded, as are vinyl seats.
Why doesn't my tyre look wet after spraying it?
Most likely the tyre is old and has absorbed the first coat. Selleys notes that older tyres soak up the product easily and may need more than one coat.
How long does the finish last?
The product is stated to last for weeks, not days.
Will rain wash it off?
The treatment is not soluble in water, which is what allows it to last through wet weather.
Do I need to clean the tyre first?
Yes. Thoroughly clean the area to be treated and allow it to dry before spraying.
Do I wipe it off after spraying?
Wipe over the surfaces with a clean dry cloth — that is what produces the wet-look finish.
Can I use it on plastic trim?
It can be used on plastic mouldings on vehicles, and on mudflaps. It is not for vinyl seats.
What size is the can?
350g aerosol.
Can I leave it in the car?
No. It is a pressurised dispenser that must not be exposed to temperatures exceeding 50°C, and it should be kept out of direct sunlight. A parked car regularly exceeds that.
Can I throw the empty can in the fire or puncture it?
No. Do not pierce or burn the can, even after use.
Does it protect the tyres, or just make them look good?
Both are claimed — it gives a glossy wet-look finish and protects surfaces against UV rays.
What should I clean the wheels with first?
See Polyglaze Wheel Cleaner for the wheels themselves, and the Polyglaze Universal Wheel Brush for getting into the spokes.
What is Selleys Polyglaze Tyre Shine used for?
Selleys Polyglaze Tyre Shine is a silicone-based aerosol product that gives tyres a long-lasting, wet-look shine with easy application, restoring a brand-new appearance to tyres.
What size does Selleys Polyglaze Tyre Shine come in?
Selleys Polyglaze Tyre Shine is available in a 350g aerosol can.
What does Selleys Polyglaze Tyre Shine look like?
It has the appearance of a clear, aerosol-dispensed fluid.
Is Selleys Polyglaze Tyre Shine soluble in water?
No, Selleys Polyglaze Tyre Shine is not soluble in water.
How do you apply Selleys Polyglaze Tyre Shine?
Shake the can well before use, clean the surface and allow it to dry, spray evenly over the tyre, then wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
What surfaces should not be treated with Selleys Polyglaze Tyre Shine?
Do not use Selleys Polyglaze Tyre Shine on motorcycle tyres, vinyl seats, steering wheels, or pedals.
Is Selleys Polyglaze Tyre Shine flammable?
Yes, it is an extremely flammable aerosol, and it should not be exposed to temperatures above 50°C.
What surfaces beyond car tyres can Polyglaze Tyre Shine be applied to, according to the knowledge base?
According to the knowledge-base context, Polyglaze Tyre Shine can also be used on truck and van tyres, plastic mouldings, and mudflaps, in addition to car tyres.
What key protective benefit does Polyglaze Tyre Shine provide besides shine?
Per the knowledge-base context, Polyglaze Tyre Shine protects treated surfaces against UV rays while providing a glossy, wet-look finish that lasts for weeks, not days.
Why might older tyres need more than one coat of Polyglaze Tyre Shine?
The knowledge-base context notes that older tyres absorb the product more readily than newer tyres, so more than one coat may be required to achieve the desired wet-look finish.