Muc-Off

[Steve H]

Probabaly only of interest to the minority polishers in the club. So the rest of you turn over now
I decided to clean the SRX yesterday and sprayed the bike in Muc-Off, something I'd bought for the mountain bike (which like all my other two wheel vehicles is not working) , it seems to loosen the muck reasonably well, so washed it down and put the bike back in the garage. When I went out later in the evening the rims and engine casings were covered in a fine salt like corrosion, which took a fair amount of polishing to remove. So be warned that Muc-Off and polished aliminium dont mix well.

[Steve Lake]

funny that Steve.....I had EXACTLY the same thing happen with Halfords engine cleaner.... used it lots of times, but this was the first time i put the srx away 'wet', usually i run it up and go for a ride round the block, and finish off with a bit of chain wax and a polish. Must be some corrosive element in the cleaners which doesn't get completely washed off with the hose i guess

[squirrelciv]

Good stuff that muc-off. use it on engine only, as it will take the wax off the paintwork and dull the finish. Makes short work of chainlube though.

[Andy M]

I've used Muc off for years and find it really works. There are two sorts though, one is for off road muc and I guess is stronger. I use the road stuff, wash it off with gallons of cold water then spray with the muc-off protection stuff. The Bonneville is coming up to it's third winter and only had three bits of rust (Exhaust bolts, carb bolts, inside final tube of exhaust), so I'm well happy.

Andy

[Steve H]

How much exposed aliminium (as apposed to laquered) is there on the Bonneville ?. The chrome work etc seemed fine, it just effected the ally parts.

[Andy M]

Silver type exposed alloy, I can't think there is any on the Bonneville. The engine cases and fuel tank are painted, the exhausts etc. are in "chrome"/silver coloured paint and the rest is plastic.

I used Muc-off on BMW's in the past that did have seemingly unpainted alloy. That stuff simply corroded regardless (went dull then furry, so I doubt it is painted/lacquered), but I never saw the white oxide/over strong detergent type reaction you describe. There again all alloys used on bikes seem different, so I guess it's a case of not using it on this one again.

Andy

[J Hop]

I use muck-off and I rate it highly for loosening all types of dried on/baked on crud.

There is no polished aluminium on any of my bikes so this is only a guess, but maybe the white powder is aluminium polish residue that the muc-off has lifted out of the metal ?

[themoudie]

Reads as though the Muc-Off is alkaline and containing sodium salts. That is the same as road salt!! Thats why 'Fairy' is not good for washing your vehicle, or using to lubricate tyres onto rims. The rims rot from the inside out!! Especially bare alloy ones.

Gunk or Auto Glym Motorcycle cleaner on the engines and bare metal bits, followed by an overall wash with Halfords Advanced car shampoo solution. Thoroughly rinse with a low pressure fan spray. Dry off, Solvol bare metal, Mer polish bodywork, then ScottOiler 365 or ACF50 everything apart from the brakes and controls.

Living beside the A85 with a 24 hour 'Trunk' road status salt application regime, I suspect we get as much brine solution, aerial salt dust as Peel prom! The routine works for us.

Try this site if you wish to know more:

http://www.kcpc.usyd.edu.au/discovery/9.5.5/index.html

Keep up the 'Bull'!