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How To Wash Your ATV

Apr. 23 2021 Maintenance By Langston Motorsports

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ATVs are powerful and tough little machines designed to conquer any terrain—but the terrain sometimes fights back. Even when your ATV wins, it comes away muddy, and it’s important to clean it regularly, for both its looks and its longevity. We here at Langston Motorsports want to help you keep your quad sleek and healthy, so we’ve put together some tips for washing your ATV. If you want to know more, or you’d like to see the ATVs we have for sale, contact our store in Perris, California, today!

Prepare

Step one is to park your ATV on flat ground with good drainage, preferably on pavement or gravel to avoid damaging your lawn. You’ll need some supplies, including:

  • a hose—pressure washer if possible, but garden hoses will work fine
  • a mud scraper
  • some sponges
  • cleaning fluid like a car wash fluid or bike soap
  • a degreaser (optional)
  • a bucket
  • a stiff brush
  • an air compressor
  • lint-free towels

For bonus points, grab some good powersports vehicle polish and some tire shine.

Soak The Mud

If the mud and dirt is caked on and dried out, you’ll want to soak it. Spray it with your hose and let it sit for a few minutes. Take your mud scraper and get rid of as much of the buildup as you can. Spray it again to dislodge anything you can now that the big stuff is gone.

Soap And Scrub

Next, soap up one of your sponges and wipe down your entire ATV, starting at the handlebars and working your way down. Make sure you cover everything, from seats to wheels. The stiff brush can help make sure you get soap into all the nooks and crannies. If you have degreaser, use it to help remove oil residue.

Rinse And Dry

Once it’s all scrubbed up, it’s time to rinse your ATV off. Take a few passes with your hose to make sure you remove all the soap and that you haven’t missed any dirt. Use the air compressor and lint-free towels to help dry the ATV off, but you’ll probably need to let it air-dry in the sun for a bit. 

Polish

If you want to help protect your ATV from future dirt and weather damage, or just want that factory-fresh glow, you’ll want to use a powersports vehicle polish once the ATV is dry. Buff it to a shine, but avoid getting it on the seat. Use the tire shine to get your wheels sparkling as well, and you’ve got yourself one clean machine.

We hope this helps you keep your ATV healthy and stylish! If you have any questions, or you’re looking for an ATV to dirty up a bit, contact us at Langston Motorsports. We proudly serve the people of Temecula and Orange County, California—let us serve you today!