Cleaning your UTV Guide

After a successful day of heavy duty work on your UTV, it’s probably going to be due for a good cleaning. It’s important to routinely wash your UTV because all the dirt and grime buildup will eventually threaten the quality of your vehicle. Not to mention that your passengers may not want to sit in a filthy vehicle or get their belongings dirty either. If your UTV is mostly used for construction work then it’s most likely going to be pretty dirty after endless heavy payloads of soil and clay. After a while, your UTV starts to look pretty rough with mud caked all over it. 

If you take the time to wash your UTV every now and then, you’ll not only have a nice looking ride but its powerful performance will remain intact for quite some time. At McKibben Powersports of LaBelle, we’ve prepared a quick guide to properly cleaning your utility vehicle without causing damage or creating additional work for yourself. 

Prepare Yourself

There are some things you need to do before you get your UTV wet. First, you should seal off the air intake and plug up the exhaust so no water can leak inside. You should also protect any electric components and fuel systems from water as well. These steps are critical because they will save you from more hard work later when you’ll be attempting to repair the damage that could've been prevented. Next, you should gather what you’ll need to clean your UTV like a hose, gloves, a pressure washer, degreaser, a good bike soap and a polish.

Scrape off Mud & Degrease

The first step in the cleaning process is to scrape off the layers of mud and grime that have built up on your UTV. You might want to use a heavy-duty plastic scraper to help get into the nooks and crannies without scratching the plastic. Another useful method is applying a degreasing solution mixed with water in a pump sprayer, which will help remove any oil or grease that’s built up on the metal parts of your vehicle as well as the engine. If you use a degreasing solution, you’ll want to avoid getting it on the plastics.

Soap, Scrub, Rinse

When it comes to soap, you have a few different options to choose from. You can probably manage with warm water and dish soap, but a good bike wash is more suitable for handling the intense dirt and mud buildup. You can scrub with a washcloth or washing mitt to avoid scratches. For rinsing, you can use your everyday garden hose if you’d like but a pressure washer will surely get the job done more efficiently. Pressure washing can blast away any tough dirt or mud you weren't able to remove with a scraper. Be sure to adjust the settings on the pressure wash prior to use so you don’t damage your vehicle’s graphics or decals.

Tires

Your tires can always benefit from a good pressure washing, but you can also invest in special tire cleaners that will speed up the process. Tire cleaners can be sprayed directly on the tires and wiped off. Always wear safety goggles and gloves when applying cleaners that contain hazardous chemicals.

Polish & Shine

Last but not least, your UTV will be looking mighty fine if you finish the cleaning process by polishing it up. Polishing your side-by-side is just like waxing your car after a good wash. You’ll apply a finishing wax that is specifically designed for utility vehicles and before you know it, your UTV will be looking brand spanking new.

If you are in the market for a UTV, check out the selection at McKibben Powersports of LaBelle. We are a UTV dealer located in LaBelle, Florida. We also proudly serve those in Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, and Naples, Florida.