Muc-Off De-greaser

Muc-Off’s water soluble degreaser is a very proficient solvent based cleanser that makes short work of accumulated grease and grime and to that end makes a very handy workshop companion. The fact it easily washes away without obvious trace or harmful effect is a real bonus-especially if you're working on a patio or more ornate surface. However, while in a pinch it will tackle headset overhaul, it struggles with waterproof marine greases and care is required on delicate finishes.

The 500ml aerosol spray is simplicity itself. Shake the can furiously for a minute to agitate the contents before applying liberally to the affected area. Observing the waiting times saw it make short work of my RTB's grime and dung encrusted inner chain rings and rim sidewalls-watch carefully and you can literally see the solvent transporting the gunge away and pooling on the ground. Some particularly stubborn areas demand reapplication and assistance from a suitable brush and while the solvent largely evaporates without obvious ill effect, for peace of mind rinse thoroughly with water.

Effective on old school wet-lubes and lithium greases, it will manage impromptu headset strips, leaving bearings and surfaces primed and ready for re-lubrication. However, it’s not as aggressive as some pump-spray citrus-based cleansers, demanding continual reapplication and making little impression upon super stiff marine greases. In fairness, I suspect the aerosol propellant dilutes the solution’s true prowess and would be interested to see how the five litre workshop-sized drum compared.

Summing up, despite some small shortcomings, this degreaser is a versatile addition to the tool box/cleaning arsenal so long as exposure time and contact with more delicate areas are carefully observed.

Verdict

Versatile general-purpose degreaser.