Had any problems using "Muc-off"?

flyer

My bike is only six months old and only done about 300 dry miles.

The decals started to peel off the wheels, Specialized say it may be Muc-off that's caused the problem.

If so what should I use?

Also I do use some de-greaser, could it have been this?

Thanks

Ian

alaric@epicmtb

I've never had a problem with it removing decals. It can occasionallly mark anodised components if left to sit too long, but not badly.

Jet washing is more likely to lift stickers than anything else, and even then you'd have to work pretty hard of they were properly applied in the first place.

Alaric.

AlanW

I would suspect that the de-greaser is the cause, rather then the Muc-Off.

pbracing

+1 for the de-greaser. Though are you using it on the rims, or being too liberal with it elsewhere? I'd say it only needs to be used on parts that actually get oily/ greasy. Muc-off should be enough for everywhere else. Scrub rims rather than using de-greaser to lift the gunky stuff.

Monty Dog

No, I disagree, Muc Off is pretty agressive - it makes paint go flat and 'ages' elastomers, particularly if its not rinsed off correctly. I only use warm soapy water on the bike frame and rims and leave the special cleaners for the oily bits. I know the guys at Specialized - they know their onions and have more knowledge that your typical LBS employee too.

System_1

Yep, I used it once on a carbon frame which turned an alarming misty grey colour. It obviously only effected the lacquer as over the next few days the blackness returned but I'll never use it again. There's nothing that a mild car shampoo can't get off with a bit of elbow grease, and for cleaning chains and other oily stuff I'd use a decent degreaser anyway.

You wouldn't spray that crap on a Ferrari why do it to the paint on your bike? If you care about your bike don't put your faith in harsh chemicals like Muc Off and instead put a bit of time in with some elbow grease and a mild soap like car shampoo, or even washing up liquid if you really must. Muc Off is for lazy MTBers who wouldn't know what a sponge was if it bit them in the arse. Best avoided I reckon.

softlad

can't say I've ever had any problems using muc-off type cleaners, and certainly never had any problems with decals lifting, which makes me think there must be something else going on. Those types of cleaning solution are designed to be sprayed on and then rinsed off immediately and so long as you do this, you should never have any trouble with it affecting any aspect of your bike's finish.

singlespeedexplosif

Muc-Off destroys stuff. Your degreaser may not be helping either, depends on what you're using. But I certainly won't use Muc-off anywhere near any of my bikes. Might give it a try on this door I need to strip however.

jellybellywmb

Is it only me that thinks Muc Off and like are a total waste of money, never really shifts the dirt and ebded up useing soapy water afterwards anyway.

Can't beat warm soapy water and a bit of hard work.

Barrie_G

I just use some car wash such as triple wax or turtle wax, it cleans the dirty bits and leaves a nice shine once the bike is rinsed and dried

Slow Downcp

Another vote for car shampoo and warm water, and Fenwicks for chain/cassette.

softlad

singlespeedexplosif wrote:

Muc-Off destroys stuff. Your degreaser may not be helping either, depends on what you're using. But I certainly won't use Muc-off anywhere near any of my bikes. Might give it a try on this door I need to strip however.

I use my own (cheaper) version of muc-off - a commercial automotive, non-caustic TFR diluted about 60% with water. I use this on all of my cycles (and motorcycles) - never had any problems and they always come up spotless...

gkerr4

agree with above - muc-off and similar are bloody aggressive - it dulls paint and attacks matt-finish alloy parts

it might be OK diluted but I won't use it on my carbon bike no way.

I use tesco car wash solutiojn which is a great cleaner and leaves a nice wax enhanced finish too.

mcflyss

Slow Downcp wrote:

Another vote for car shampoo and warm water, and Fenwicks for chain/cassette.

I use a diluted Fenwicks solution for the whole bike, then neat for the chain... this is wat it says on the bottle... or is this as bad as the muc-off?

softlad

if you've been using it without issue then I would just carry on...

softlad

gkerr4 wrote:

it might be OK diluted but I won't use it on my carbon bike no way.

muc off and other bike cleaners like pro-clean, etc are all basically just diluted TFR and most of what you get in a muc-off/pro-clean bottle is probably water anyway. I can't think of any reason not to use it on a carbon bike...

NaB

Wilkinsons do a cheaper version of muc off...not more than £3 for same size bottle. Great stuff never had any problems with it. Never had a problem with muc off either I'm just too tight to pay for it! Also re stickers peeling off...who cares? Just peel them off if they're coming off...might shave a few grams off who knows

mcflyss

softlad wrote:

if you've been using it without issue then I would just carry on...

Cheers

maurice

It's never given me a problem in two years of using it.

Slow Downcp

mcflyss wrote:

Slow Downcp wrote:

Another vote for car shampoo and warm water, and Fenwicks for chain/cassette.

I use a diluted Fenwicks solution for the whole bike, then neat for the chain... this is wat it says on the bottle... or is this as bad as the muc-off?

It's okay - but car shampoo is cheaper :oops: