``What about UH being shiny? people say you can fix this by rubbing it before sticking your hair down, can this be done?`` --- hi there ..not being smart with you..but try it and see ....I don`t use Ultrahold,so I can`t give you any definitive answer but I have read other wearers saying it can be done...as you probably know, you may have to try a few different glues before you find one suitable for your lifestyle... what works well for one person may not be so good for another. You can apply glue using one of those wooden coffee-stirrers [or even plastic ones] which you get at those drinks vending machines in shops/petrol stations etc.... I see a guy saying the stick-glue Debbie sells as working very well for him---- it`s always a good plan to get a few different glues/tapes at the start so you have a fall-back/alternative if you find one is not doing such a good job for you.... if you are ordering knot-sealer you might as well just get some `extra`glues etc.....sorry I can`t be more definite about things but it`s really very dependent on `local`conditions and your own body-chemistry and how it reacts to glues etc....as to life-span of your system ...again...varies a lot but try not to over-shampoo the hair but do use a good leave-in conditioner with sunscreen frequently and that will help a lot.... chlorine in water is not good for growing hair let alone system hair ...having said that many wearers have an active lifestyle including surfing and swimming.. I guess if you `nurse`the hair after such exposure with a good conditioner you should manage to prolong its`serviceable-life...some last 2 or 3 months, other wearers get 7-9 months out of a system... Scalp -protector is really for oily skin/scalps to give a better foundation for glues etc..oily scalps can prevent a good bond...have you looked at the thread concerning Oil-resistant white glue [ORWG] as many people find it very good with a strong longer -lasting bond. Again, sorry I can`t be more specific but it really is a very `variable`scenario...hopefully other guys will chip-in with their experiences of different glues etc.... regards for now, Paul.