Muc-Off Silicon Shine
I've been pleasantly surprised by Muc Off's silicone shine. Dubbed the workshop in a can, it harmlessly restores that seductive showroom lustre to everything from Chrome to carbon. That said, good quality furniture polishes are markedly cheaper and will achieve comparable effects without betraying clandestine front-room fettling.
Silicone Shine's exact composition isn't clear but it seems to be a blend of silicone polymers that deep clean, leaving behind a protective film of dry lubricant and a fruity cherry odour. In practice the solvent gobbles light grime and spray up without hesitation but grubby mountain, cross and winter bikes will need the time honoured 'full works' wash and dry first. Shake the Silicone Shine for thirty seconds or so before spraying liberally in short bursts, working methodically around the bike(s). Buff to a high gloss using a lint free cloth and you're done.
Even after a quick once-over, the Univega positively gleamed as if someone had given the livery additional coats of rich, glossy lacquer. The transformation of my ageing but worthy resin bodied track pump from dour to delectable was no less remarkable and it breathes new, protective life into leather saddles, bar wrap, carbon, chrome while attracting remarkably little dirt. Successive wet road outings have left their calling card along the forks, chainstays and bottom bracket but these vanish with the first caress of a clean cloth or kitchen paper.
Such qualities are useful when it comes to storing season specific mounts (e.g. crossers, summer road bike, winter trainer etc) seeing them emerge more or less ready to go. Playing devil's advocate, WD40 and similar water displacers go on in a flash and do a pretty good job of masking chrome and other vulnerable surfaces so long as you accept they attract more grime and steer clear of suspension/seals.
Verdict
Convenient aerosol polish with long-lasting sheen but furniture waxes are just as fast and considerably cheaper
road.cc test report
Make and model: Muc-off Silicon Shine
Size tested: 500ml
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?
"Fresh from the Muc-Off Research and Development Lab comes the
ultimate bicycle detailer! Silicon Shine not only leaves your bike looking
and smelling divine but it's also an amazing friction reducer for suspension
parts. Spray it on to your fork stantions and shock to reduce resistance
Silicon Shine not only repels water but dries completely, leaving a
protective, non sticky and ULTRA SHINY layer that will extend the lifetime
of your bikes finishes by preventing the build up of dirt and grime.
means that treated parts and surfaces will be easier to maintain and will
even stay cleaner in-between washes."
Refreshingly faithful to the claims.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Ideal for use on off-road fenders to reduce dirt build up
Effortless application - leaves a dry, long lasting shine
Restores colour and shine to all parts
Colourless, Non Staining Formula
Available in a 500ml aerosol
Instant friction reducer
Cherry Pop fragrance
Seems notably better than most products of this type
Better than I was expecting.
Nice to use.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
To my surprise, Silicon shine is very effective, breathing new life into plastics, genuinely accentuating the beauty of carbon and metallic frame finishes-effortlessly. It doesn't overly attract dirt and seems perfect for dressing seasonal bikes for hibernation.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Quick, easy and effective.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Not completely sold on the "Cherry Pop" fragrance and good quality furniture polishes will achieve similar effects.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Quite probably
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, in the main
About the tester
Age: 37 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,
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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)