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review
Cleaning products
BG Innovations PROclean-gold cleanerPROclean-gold Premium Cleaning Solutions

BG Innovations PROclean-gold cleaner

7
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published May 30, 2014

0
£9.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Versatile multi surface cleaner but just a touch too gentle for drivetrains
Weight: 
538g
Contact: 
bginnovate.com
How we test

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BG Innovations PROclean-Gold degreaser is a very clever formula made from plant extracts, designed to sweep away gunge and grime while being kind to host surfaces and environment alike. Nonetheless, it remains an extremely flammable cocktail that doesn't work particularly well on super scuzzy chains and cassettes.

It still deserves a place in your cleaners and lubes box, though. Perhaps you've an '80s road frameset with sparkling electroplate hibernating beneath a thick blanket of WD40 during the winter months; maybe you've bought some tubing from a steel stockholder and need to clean it before brazing it into a touring trailer. No? Well, what about that cork wrap or pale leather saddle cover sullied by spilt energy drinks, grimy shorts or fingers following roadside mechanicals? Ah, thought that might get your full and undivided.

First up was a set of five piece 'school chair' forks with a distinctly second-rate factory paint job and that had been left in storage for eons.

A good dousing in PROclean-Gold - best applied in short bursts from 20cm away - produced a foaming white blanket, reminiscent of dry powder fire extinguisher foam. After giving it 20 seconds to take effect I went to work with a clean, lint free cloth take over.

The fork needed a secondary, light dusting but positively gleamed after two minutes' nominal effort.

Filmy residues such as GT85 were easily dismissed but longer-established home brewed preps demand three, sometimes four reapplications and several clean rags before mummified chrome plated and polished aluminium alloys regained their showroom fresh lustre.

However, BG Innovations hail from an automotive background and the gentler nature really excelled when tackling grimy leather, cork bar tape and space age polymer wraps, which needed but a liberal blow-over to purge ingrained crud.

Ultimately, I'd stick with relatively inexpensive, industrial strength lube strippers for drivetrains but PROclean-Gold is excellent for those surfaces needing firm, yet gentle dirt removal.

Verdict

Versatile multi surface cleaner but just a touch too gentle for drivetrains

road.cc test report

Make and model: BG Innovations PROclean-gold cleaner

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?

"ProClean Gold from BGinnovations is our benchmark 100%natural plant based degreasant and cleaner"

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

* non-irritant

* VOC free

* 100% solvent free

* does not contain any flammable aerosols

* Metals

* Glass

* Leather

* Wood veneers

* Fabrics (check colour-fastness in small non visible area before use)

* PROclean-gold removes dirt, grime and grease to create a clean grease free surface

* PROclean-gold is an exceptional degreasant for preparation of paintable surfaces

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

Much nicer to use than many traditional petro-chemical brews.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Surprisingly frugal compared with traditional aerosols, which suggests a better product/propellant ratio.

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

Overall, the formula works surprisingly well on most surfaces, especially those requiring a more gentle touch. However, traditional brews are better suited to drivetrain duties.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Gentle, yet efficient nature on a broad spectrum of surfaces.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing given the design brief but not my first choice for badly sullied drivetrain components.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, for general workshop duties and with the above caveats in mind.

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,

 

BG Innovations PROclean-gold cleaner
BG Innovations PROclean-gold
BG Innovations
Shaun Audane

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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