A Guide to Cleaning Your ATV
If you’re making good use of your ATV, it probably gets dirty on a regular basis! These four-wheelers are all about crashing through creekbeds and riding over dusty trails, and they often come home covered in mud. However, just because your ATV is destined to get dirty, doesn’t mean that it should stay that way.
Cleaning up that muddy mess can seem like a chore, but this is a necessary step to keep your quad in good working order. Fortunately, keeping your ATV clean is a simple task that gets easier the more often you do it! Read on for a quick primer on cleaning your ATV.
Remove Excess Mud
If your quad is caked in thick layers of mud, you should either scrape or soak off the mud before you proceed. You can use a plastic mud scraper to gently remove chunks of dirt without scratching the finish on your ATV. Or, you can hose down your ATV and let it soak for a while, then hose it down again to loosen up and remove the outer layer of mud.
Use a Pressure Washer
A pressure washer will help you remove any stubborn grime that remains after hosing off your ATV. Even a pressure washer at full pressure should not harm the surfaces of your 4-wheeler, so feel free to blast away! If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can still get good results using a garden hose with a spray nozzle. Just make sure to get as much dirt off as possible before you begin the next step.
Add Soap and Scrub
Once your ATV has been thoroughly rinsed, you can scrub it down with bike soap or automotive detergent using a soft sponge. Work your way down from the handlebars to the wheels, paying special attention to nooks and crannies that can trap dirt and oil. If you have a particularly oily mess on your hands, you can reach for a degreaser.
Dry Off
On a warm sunny day, you can simply let your ATV air dry. But in cold or wet weather, you should take the time to towel off your quad in the garage. You can also use an air compressor to blast water out of small crevices, preventing rust and saving you the trouble of drying these areas by hand.
Give It a Healthy Shine
When your ATV is clean and dry, you can spray it down with plastic polish and give a thorough wipe to achieve a sparkling finish. Just avoid getting any polish on the seat, or you might slide right off when you go riding! Once your quad is clean and shiny, you can feel the satisfaction of a job well done, and show it off with pride on your next adventure.
Regular cleaning gives you a chance to inspect your quad for damage. If you find anything that needs repair, don’t hesitate to call the service department here at Interstate Cycles in Lake City, FL. Our factory-trained technicians can handle all your ATV maintenance needs. We welcome customers from Jacksonville and Gainesville.