How To Clean A Muddy ATV

ATVs are made for exploring nature, which means they can get dirty in no time. All it takes is one heart-pounding ride and your quad is left covered in mud. This gunk is more than an unappealing sight, however. Caked-on debris can damage the four-wheeler's exterior, clog vital engine components, and reduce the ATV's performance. Regular cleaning is key to keeping your ATV looking great and running great.

Here at S&N MotorSports, we strive to make your life easier. That's why we rounded up the following ATV cleaning tips. If you want more maintenance advice or want to shop ATVs for sale, head over to our dealership. We are based in Port Charlotte, Florida, and also serve those in Fort Myers.

Choose The Right Spot

It matters where you clean your ATV. Remember that each trail ride creates the opportunity for weeds to get stuck on the ATV. If you wash your quad on your lawn, these weeds can get introduced into the grass and cause damage down the road.

If possible, clean the ATV on a driveway rather than a yard. But remember to hose down the sidewalk at the end of the cleaning process. This ensures the gunk gets down the drain, rather than running into a neighbor's yard or sitting on the street.

Target The Caked-On Gunk

Start by tackling the big chunks of grime first. There are two key ways to do this. One strategy is using a plastic mud scraper, which removes chunks of dirt without damaging the exterior finish or paint. Another approach is to hose down the quad and let it pre-soak. This will loosen up the caked-on grime, which you can then hose off.

Sometimes, these approaches alone are no match for the most stubborn pieces of dirt. In that case, harness the power of a pressure washer. This handy tool will provide the force needed to blast away the dirt, but without hurting the ATV’s exterior finish or paint. Use the pressure washer to remove as much grime as possible, which will reduce the time spent hand scrubbing later.

Scrub The ATV

Once the initial layers of dirt are removed, the next step is to scrub the ATV by hand. Use a wash mitt or sponge combined with bike soap or automotive detergent. Start at the top and work down. Give extra attention to the spots that tend to get the dirtiest, such as the wheels. If there is dirt lurking in the ATV's nooks and crannies, use a stiff brush to reach it. If you uncover an oily spot, spray degreaser on it and let it soak for a minute. Then scrub or rinse the degreaser off, which should also remove the oily spot.

Dry The ATV

After the ATV is washed, the next step is to get it dry. Either let it air dry or use a lint-free towel to get it dry faster. If you own an air compressor, use it to get the ATV dry in no time.

Polish The ATV

The last step to cleaning an ATV is polishing it. Spray a plastic polish onto the four-wheeler, then wipe it down. In a few minutes, your quad will appear like-new! Just make sure you don't get any product on the seat, which will make the seat slippery.

We hope you found these ATV cleaning tips helpful! For more advice or to shop ATVs for sale, visit S&N MotorSports. Our expert staff can assist you with whatever you need, from answering questions to suggesting compatible models to fit your lifestyle. Our powersports dealership is located in Port Charlotte, Florida, and we also serve those in Fort Myers.