Review: Muc-Off’s Wunder Shine
(2023) Attach the word ‘wonder’ to anything and it instantly gains traction. For example: Small Wonder, Wonder Boy, Boy Wonder are instances of bad examples involving ‘wonder.’ Meanwhile Muc-Off, the Wonder in bike maintenance brings the ultimate polish in Wunder Shine. It’s any wonder just how much faith rested on this polish.
Having sported a Giant TCR with an improperly installed brake hose, the head tube collected a look of wear and tear. The constant turnings scraped at the Giant TCR’s clear coat. White streaks became stubborn of elbow grease. It was eventually concluded this was the way. Fortunately a mechanic intervened by rotating the brake caliper and following up with a Muc-Off product that seemed comically under-suited.
Once the brake line had been correctly set, the mechanic tapped out a dollop of Muc-Off Wunder Shine. It was instructed to apply the red goo much like old car wax - apply for thirty seconds, wipe off at time. Faith about a marked change was so low, I did not take ‘before’ photos of the head tube. Yet what glowed afterwards was unexpected. The head tube was suddenly nearly back to new in its appearance. Without a doubt, Muc-Off’s Wunder Shine worked its wonder.
Made from a Muc-Off concoction involving fluoro polymer technology, Wunder Shine fills in the imperfections and blemishes of clear coats. It also includes Carnauba Wax, a key ingredient in car wax and Haribo gummy bears. Carnauba wax additive brings a heavier luster to the bike’s appearance. According to Muc-Off, applying a layer of Wunder Shine can make future bike washings easier and more effective while protecting frame paint. The solvent repels water and atmospheric pollutants, creating a more effective product.
Directions state the affected area of the bike should be cleaned and dried completely. Dab a small amount of Wunder Shine to a lint-free cloth and apply. Let sit for thirty - 45 seconds before buffing off. Multiple coats can be applied so long as a twenty-four hour cycle has elapsed. While an entire frame could benefit from Muc-Off’s Wunder Shine, areas such as the bottom of the down tube and back of the seat tube (where dirt and debris impact the frame) could be prioritized. Further, the top of the top tube could be polished just to give that sparkly look to the adoring rider.
The downside to Wunder Shine is the toxicity of the solvent. There are numerous warnings about keeping this product from children, what to do if the product contacts the eyes, what to do if ingested, but alarmingly, what to do if the product is inhaled. Muc-Off tends to have serious products, but Wunder Shine warnings are straight to the point. Something this serious should be used carefully and in well-ventilated areas as well as with the proper protective gear.
As most Muc-Off products, sixteen fluid ounces seems excessive for the home service course, yet the modest price is hard to turn down. We have added Muc-Off’s Wunder Shine to the service course to finish the job of protecting the Giant TCR’s frame from the daily wear-and-tear. Given the long list of companies that approve of Muc-Off’s Wunder Shine, it’s unclear why Giant/ Liv does not currently endorse it for their frame finish. Either way, it’s a wonder that such a small dab could remove the effects of an improperly installed brake hose. All it took was a dab and thirty seconds to restore the appearance to a brand-new bike.
