Are Rub ‘n Restore® products safe? A plain look at the ingredients.

Rub ‘n Restore® product labels carry the statement “suspected of causing cancer.” That language is required by law and reflects the precautionary principle: regulations assume a worst-case exposure scenario, specifically long-term, chronic exposure using the most hazardous method of application (spraying, rather than brushing or sponging).

Most customers operate well below that threshold. Occasional refinishing of a sofa, vehicle interior, or boat seat involves brief, intermittent exposure, typically with a brush or sponge, in volumes far smaller than those assumed by the SDS.

Our founders, CC (mother) and Lesandre (daughter), have worked with these products on a daily basis since 1987 and 2000, respectively, often spraying, without developing related illness. That is anecdotal rather than clinical evidence, but it reflects decades of hands-on exposure at levels most customers will never approach.

Rub ‘n Restore® coatings are chemically comparable to many latex paints used on interior walls. They sit within the same industrial ecosystem as other materials already present in a typical home, including the chromium salts used to tan leather, the PVC used to manufacture vinyl upholstery, and the flame retardants applied to foam, carpets, and fabrics. Regulatory changes in California and the European Union continue to improve coatings safety across the industry, though standards are not always consistent (some double standards exist).

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

• Color I (colors containing white)
• Color II (colors without white)
• Clear Prep+Finish™
• Satin Sealer
• Leather Filler & Vinyl Repair Putty
• Heat Cure Filler
• Flite™ Vinyl Cleaner
• Cross-linker

Ingredients

• 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene – A component of petroleum distillates, used in protective surface coatings. Our products contain less than half a percent. It is also a common constituent of aerosol insecticides and furniture polishes.
• Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether – A solvent found in liquid soaps, cleaning products, and cosmetics. It is the main ingredient in many home, commercial, and industrial cleaning solutions, and the U.S. FDA permits its use as a direct and indirect food additive (functioning as an antimicrobial, defoamer, stabilizer, or adhesive component).
• Solvent Naphtha – A petroleum-derived solvent closely related to mineral spirits, the familiar paint thinner found in most garages.
• Titanium Oxide – A white mineral pigment used in paints, sunscreens, cosmetics, and skin care products. Its UV-resistant properties are a functional advantage when refinishing marine vinyl, convertible tops, or leather exposed to direct sunlight.
• Quartz (SiO2) – The most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust, used here as a component of the white pigment in colors containing white. The SDS assumes spraying, which produces airborne silica dust; prolonged inhalation of airborne silica is associated with silicosis. Application by sponge or brush does not generate the same exposure. In fact, silica is also used as a fining agent to clarify beverages and is considered safe for ingestion in small quantities.

Our colors are classified as low VOC. Clear Prep+Finish™ is classified as medium VOC. More information on VOCs is available here.

The Practical Tradeoff

These are industrial coatings. They are not benign, and we do not describe them that way. They are, however, the reason a torn or sun-faded leather sofa, a cracked dashboard, or a weathered boat cushion can be restored to service for a fraction of the cost of replacement, and kept out of a landfill. Used as directed, exposure is brief and manageable, and the problem the product solves (extending the useful life of existing goods) is substantial.

Handling Recommendations

1. Do not ingest.
2. Wear gloves.
3. Apply with a sponge or brush whenever possible. If spraying is required, work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Users who are particularly sensitive should wear a respirator.
4. Keep containers closed and stored away from children and pets when not in use.