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review

Muc-Off MO-94 Multi-use Spray

7
£6.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Excellent workshop staple but there are plenty of similarly competent formulas around
Weight: 
371g
Contact: 

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Muc-Off MO-94 Maintenance Spray does exactly what it says on the tin and with reasonable aplomb, though some claims should be taken with a gentle pinch of salt.

The cynical among you might think that the maintenance tag is just another clever way of rebranding water displacers '' these lubricate, loosen rusted parts, prevent corrosion, stop squeaks, remove tar, grease, mud and so on.

Yes, but many household names were conceived long before polymer waxes, elastomers, composites and similar space age stuff that's been commonplace on bikes these past 15 years or so. With the emphasis upon prevention, maintenance formulas are finely blended mixes of Teflon and less intense solvent components, theoretically avoiding softening of greases, polishes, chain lubes and similarly good stuff when giving pivot points, cables precautionary post wash blasts.

Science wise, the aerosol relies on a butane propellant to traffic a fine mist of solvent, petroleum distillate and PTFE. The solvent ensures sprayable consistency, gobbling gunge and grime upon arrival whereupon it evaporates, leaving only the ubiquitous non-stick elixir behind.

Post wash blow-overs bring out a really jewelled effect in flamboyant and metallic enamels and unlike heavier preps, is more easily built up in stages to mask tooling and other electroplating whether preparing ornate framesets, old school rollers for, or just topping up during hibernation. Speaking of indoor trainers, rider coolant can quickly induce seizure of front brake callipers, so give your slave bike's regular, generous helpings.

To date, there's been no hint of unsealed decal/chainstay protector lift, though daily drivers will accumulate that familiar grimy patina around their cantilever pivots, fork crowns, brake bridges, bottom bracket shells and mech hangers given a couple of weeks, sooner in dusty conditions. Mind you, I've been perfectly happy to let it accumulate at frame ends.

Did I mention it also stops those infuriating phantom squeaks and resuscitates budget blinkies with suspect seals/corroded contacts? However; it isn't quite the Holy Grail. Less prestigious brands boasting similar credentials (costing half as much) have proved more effective in locks, trailer hitches and for spreading homemade frame preservers inside thin wall tubing. Similarly, MO-94 will loosen seized parts but penetrants are vastly superior, saving time, waste and energy.

Verdict

Excellent workshop staple but there are plenty of similarly competent formulas around

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Muc-Off MO-94 Multi-use Spray

Size tested: 400ml

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

"Looking for an all round wonder spray? Look no further! Muc-Off MO-94 covers all the bases with its incredible PTFE formula to quickly and effectively penetrate moisture, lubricate moving parts and leave a long lasting protective film. MO-94 prevents dirt adhesion and also drives out excess water to keep rust and corrosion at bay.

MO-94 isn't just for bikes, motorcycles or cars. Nope. It works on just about anything. Whether you've got a squeaky door hinge, a rusty lock or a bolt that you just can't turn, MO-94 is all you need."

Good but not markedly better than a wealth of cycling specific maintenance sprays I've used over the past twelve months.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

PTFE based aersol spray with solvent/butane carrier

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Overall, Muc-Off MO-94 is a great little spray for giving cables, pivot points, locking mechanisms, tooling etc a quick hit of light, water repelling lubricant but in real terms there's a hairs breath separating it from a wealth of similar brews.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Great for weekly once-overs and seemingly safe on most surfaces.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing particularly but in keeping with this genre generally, the penetrant properties are somewhat overplayed-genuinely seized stuff requires infinitely more bite than these deliver.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes but not over and above the competition.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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