You’ve had a great day out on your ATV, but arriving home sees both you and the machine caked in mud, which is hardly surprising when you remember the fun you had. Keeping your buggy in good shape is obviously essential, and with that in mind, here are some great tips on cleaning your ATV after a long day of riding.
The Power Wash
Simply put, there’s no better way to completely remove caked-on mud and dirt than a power washer. These handy little workhorses don’t cost a great deal and once you are the proud owner of a jet wash machine, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. If you have yet to purchase your ATV, look for a Yamaha buggy from an online supplier, who would have a wide range of great models at affordable prices. Once you have thoroughly washed the machine off, it is just a question of drying the vehicle, which will leave you with a clean machine that is ready for lubrication.
Soak the Machine
If the mud is caked on and has formed a hard crust, removing it can be a problem, and soaking the machine and leaving it for 10-15 minutes, should make the removal that much easier. If the mud is really stubborn, you might have to do this several times, which will gradually eat into the hardened mud, making it easier to remove. The sooner you clean the vehicle, the better, and while you might not feel like getting your hands dirty straight after the riding session, leaving it will make the job that much harder. If you would like to know more about ultrasonic cleaners, there is an informative article that makes for interesting reading.
Consider the Cleaning Location
Removing mud and grime using high-pressure water brings with it other concerns. You don’t want to cover your garage wall with mud, so choose an outdoor area where you have space and by approaching the ATV from different angles, you should be able to remove most of the mud and dirt.
Post-Cleaning Lubrication
Once the bike is clean, you can focus your attention on lubricating the chain and other moving parts, while plastic fairings and parts can be polished up to leave a nice shine. Tires can be blackened with special tire cleaning products to leave them looking like new. With a clean bike, you can now carry out the maintenance tasks, such as checking engine oil and brake fluids, while also looking for excess wear and tear.
Avoid Delays in Cleaning
No matter how tired you feel after a hard day’s riding, resist the temptation to clean the ATV the next day, as this will make the cleaning much more difficult. If the machine is left in the sun, the mud will begin to harden, and removing it will be more difficult, so wash the bike at the first opportunity.
While you are using the power wash to clean the bike, lay your jacket and trousers on the floor and give them a good blast, which will remove a lot of the mud and save your washing machine a little.
