Latex polish
A latex polish is an agent used to make latex clothing shiny. There are many brands of polishing agents for latex, dispensed in spray cans or bottles.
Examples of brands are:
- Armor All
- Pjur Cult
- Black Beauty
- Made by Skyhi of High Wycombe, England. It is available in 8-ounce (227 gramme) spray cans.
- Rubba Glow
- Deviant Slick
It is vital that latex is only be exposed to substances that won't degrade it. Products containing petroleum distillates, oils, and organic solvents will dissolve latex over time and will reduce the lifespan of latex garments.
Latex safe polishes
Latex safe polishes can be divided into two types:
- Water with waxes or silicone in suspension, e.g. Armor All, Black Beauty
- Silicone oil, e.g. Pjur Cult.
- There are actually several kinds of silicone oils with different chemical names. Those considered to be safe for contact with skin are: Cyclomethicone or Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone
- Some brands of silicone-based personal lubricant are mixed with oils such as Vitamin E (Tocopherol Acetate) which will degrade latex, e.g. Gun Oil, ID Millenium (newer batches)
Health and safety
Many polishes used by the latex community have been appropriated from the automobile or other non-health related industries and so they're not intended for prolonged contact with human skin.
Water-based polishes packaged in pump spray bottles and silicone oils in squeezable bottles are also generally considered safe.
Silicone dispensed in aerosol spray cans as lubricant, including those designated as "food grade", is necessarily mixed with organic solvent which is a mild neurotoxin and possible skin irritant.
