Tips for Cleaning Muddy ATVs or UTVs
ATVs and UTVs are made for getting dirty, but caked-on mud and the debris it carries with it can damage both their exterior and interior components if left unchecked.
While ATVs and side-by-sides are designed to tackle the muddiest of terrain, the fun that comes with mudding ends for the day when it’s time to wash the machine. Because even if it’s meant to go back out and get filthy again, leaving mud, grime and debris on it could lead to rust and corrosion, seized chains and other hardware, a dirty air filter and paint damage, among other things.
Packed-in mud will hold water and rot your machine, so it’s important to clean it thoroughly after each ride. Here are some tips for cleaning mud off an ATV or UTV.
Presoak and Rinse
Before you get to washing, it’s a good idea to get rid of the big chunks of mud first. You can do this by either using a plastic mud scraper and/or doing a simple pre-soak to loosen up clumps.
A plastic mud scraper removes chunks of dirt without damaging anything, if used correctly. You can also hose down the machine and let it pre-soak to loosen up the caked-on mud before you get to the actual washing part.
If the mud is really stubborn and set in, a simple garden hose might not do and you’ll need a pressure washer, which has the necessary force to blast off heavy mud and grass. If you don’t have a pressure washer, use a hose with a powerful nozzle instead.
Blast every section of the ATV or side-by-side with water, then wait a few minutes to allow the water to penetrate the mud and rinse it again. If you’re using a pressure washer, just make sure not to use a setting that’s too powerful, as you can damage plastics or force dirt into seals.
Start from the top and work your way down. Use a round brush to scrub any hard to reach spots with dirt in them. A round brush helps get the soap to penetrate crevices not easily reached by hand. Get into the undercarriage, axles, and all other areas at the bottom of the machine most heavily exposed to mud.
Clean the Tires and Wheels
Don’t forget the wheels and tires when you’re cleaning up a muddy ATV or side-by-side. Give those mud-soaked tires a thorough soap-and-water scrub before rinsing them off.
Use a spray-on gel for the wheels that’s designed to penetrate and lift off-road grime, so you can easily wipe it off. To give the tires some extra protection and shine, use a silicone coating, which is not only for a shiny finishing touch, but also to repel mud from sticking to the tires in the future.
Clean the Skid Plates
Skid plates underneath an ATV or UTV protect the underside of the machine, and the venting holes on them take on a ton of mud that gets packed into the bottom of the machine.
Remove the skid plate(s) and wash off all the mud collected on each ride. Use a small thin brush to get up in the drain holes of the skid plates, and remove any accumulated grime and water before it sets in.
Dry the Vehicle
After the machine is washed, dry it with a lint-free cloth, let it air dry or use an air compressor to get it dry even faster. If you’re going with cloths, use clean microfiber cloths or towels to dry every inch of the ATV/side-by-side as quickly as possible.
Drying it fast prevents water spots and rust from forming. If you go the compressed air route, it not only saves you time and energy, but it also helps to dislodge any mud that might be stuck to crevices on the machine.
Polish the Machine
After drying, use a metal polish with corrosion blocker on all moving parts, and plastic coating to protect the fairings. Make sure you wipe down the polish thoroughly after spraying it on.
Clean the Upholstery
Don’t forget to clean any mud and water stains off the seats with an all-purpose degreaser, and then use a vinyl/leather spray for an added layer of protection.
Clean Muddy Wiring
Low-hanging wiring and electrical components take on a lot of mud as well, so it’s important not to overlook these connections when it comes to cleaning your ATV or side-by-side.
While wiring on powersports vehicles is well protected by plastic coverings like heat shrink tubing, water and mud could still end up pooling into these connections and corrode the wiring. Make sure to clean up any caked-on mud stuck to the wiring and other electrical components on the machine. Use dielectric grease on clean electrical components to help repel mud on future rides.
Finally, when dealing with mud on an ATV or side-by-side, make sure to keep an eye on the CV boots. These covers protect the vehicle from axle damage, and need to be inspected and replaced if they’re worn out so they can continue shielding off water and mud.
