Muc-Off Cleaner money saving tip

[rcx132]

A money saving tip I found, could be useful for someone.

I started using Muc Off bicycle spray to clean auto part parts I'm working on. It's mild, can safely go onto brakes, paint etc. But it's pretty expensive so I switched to Fenwicks Bike Cleaner, half the price.

But the stuff has been so useful I started searching for something available in bulk. Looking at options via ChatGPT I found that Muc Off is apparently similar to, or maybe even is just repurposed pH Neutral Road Traffic Film Remover. The latter being available much much cheaper.

I haven't bought it yet as I still have a fair amount of Fenwicks to use up. Will post a follow up.

 

[JOEPRO]

If chat gbt says it, it must be true

This time next year Rodney....

 

[Anguz]

i thought the way TFR worked was because it was not ph neutral

 

[rcx132]

i thought the way TFR worked was because it was not ph neutral

There is both alkaline and non alkaline. Alkaline is stronger but not as safe on paint.

 

[JOEPRO]

Traditional TFR, the red stuff you buy in 1 or 5 gallon format is acidic. Hence it should be diluted and used according to instructions but can be effective.

I've seen the local car washes use it neat sprayed all over new car paintwork and wheels and the same wheels don't see a sponge! That's an example of poor application of acidic TFR.

 

[Turbo]

I used to sell Tfr, it is normally alkaline and varies in strength according to how much added water you have paid for.

During manufacturing the excess caustic rises to the top of the tank and forms a skin. They are supposed to scrape it off but unscrupulous companies don't bother. I have seen 20l drums with a skin on the top! This makes the detergent too strong for paintwork, ok for oily greasy plant.

We sold a concentrated detergent that was 3 times stronger than normal but we had to be careful who we sold it to. If it wasn't diluted properly it bleached paint quite badly, as a car valeter customer discovered to his cost! He had to machine polish the car to restore the paintwork!

There are acidic detergents out there but they are really for cleaning the brake dust off alloy wheels.

Autosmart have cornered the market here now and supply all the car washes and valeters. Turtle wax tfr is also available in 5l and 25l drums and is a good detergent. I use it at a 25% premix before using it through the washer. Also have a pump up sprayer for pretreatment.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Traditional TFR, the red stuff you buy in 1 or 5 gallon format is acidic. Hence it should be diluted and used according to instructions but can be effective.

I've seen the local car washes use it neat sprayed all over new car paintwork and wheels and the same wheels don't see a sponge! That's an example of poor application of acidic TFR.

Worked for a hydraulics outfit years ago when I came out of school. Run by narcissists convinced of their own importance. Covered one of the vans in tfr as per their request and though “I’ll nip for a pee while it soaks” came out to find no van as one of the clowns had decided to clock off early. Turned up the next day with some not very healthy paintwork/company graphics. Just laughed at them when they started shouting.

 

[Misterg]

I started using Muc Off bicycle spray to clean auto part parts I'm working on. It's mild, can safely go onto brakes, paint etc.

Muc-Off cleaner does dull paint - I concur that it's similar to diluted TFR.

 

[rcx132]

I've taken a quick look at the data sheets and some of you have sowed some doubt in my mind. There is a lot of similarity between Muc Off and TFR, but also some differences.

I think it's worth a go though.

 

[Greeves246]

On one of my days off a young lad out of the stores decided to was a new bike that was going out but where as I would have used a wash and wax he used TFR. It had to have a new set of crankcases they were so badly marked.

 

[pedrobedro]

I use Elbow Grease kitchen cleaner, it gets most stuff off my bike. I spray it on, leave it a bit then wash it off and then wipe it down.