GOODS & GEAR

Let me introduce you to my new favourite lubricant and penetrating spray - Bulldog BDX.

Incorporating the latest anti-friction and antiwear technology, Bulldog BDX has worked wonders around Muddy Towers. I’ve had a pair of front recovery points for Deux Smurf for over a year now and the reason I’ve haven’t fitted them is because I’ve not been able to remove the 27 year old tie-down hooks. I’ve sprayed the rusty, mud and salt encrusted bolts with the usual yellow and blue spray many times, but without any success.

After a squirt of Bulldog BDX and a bit of time to let it soak in, the nuts loosened like they were only tightened yesterday. Amazing stuff.

I’m told that it works incredibly well on winch cables, too. Spray the cable with BDX and the next day you will see them all rusty and horrible - but don't panic. The BDX has pushed any rusty water, etc out of the core whilst lubricating each strand. You then simply wipe the surface clean and give it another application and you’re good to go. Not only has it displaced the moisture and dried the metal, but it’s left a rust inhibiting film on all the strands.

During the -7º cold spell we had last month I found myself locked out of Deux Smurf, our 27 year old Toyota Surf, with a frozen lock. After a quick spray with BDX it didn’t take long to defrost, and it hasn’t frozen since, in fact, the whole locking mechanism is so much more smooth to operate.

Not only does it combat moisture and corrosion leaving a clean and lubricated surface, but it’s proven to be a superb release agent. Another great thing about BDX, apart from that it works incredibly well on everything I’ve sprayed it on, is that a little goes a long way, so there’s no need to douse stubborn nuts and bolts with half a can. And, it won’t damage delicate rubber, plastic or decorated and painted metal.

Quite honestly, I won’t be buying anything else in the future as it’s worked so incredibly well at everything I’ve used it on, and at just £12.99, it’s a worthy investment.

price: £12.99 more at » lubricantsuppliers.com

Wild Mats

Available from Matt Savage, Wild Matts are made from a tough, rot-proof synthetic fibre compound.

With dimples on each side to grip both the ground and your tyres, they are also flexible enough to contour with uneven ground, yet stiff enough to avoid rucking up like other roll-up self recovery mats making them perfect for soft sand, slippy mud, wet grass and snow.

Weighing only 1.4kg each they have no sharp edges, and are very easy to handle and store in your vehicle.

What sets them apart from other recovery mats are that they also have many other uses, such as a windscreen sun shade, tent door mat, wind shade for cooking and even as outdoor shower mats.

Wild Mats are old in pairs with each one measuring 120cm x 45cm.

price: £112 (+VAT) (now only available in black) more at » mattsavage.com