Tools and Materials
Preparing your UTV
Park your UTV in a suitable spot for cleaning. A lot of mud will be washed off the vehicle, which would be damaging to grass. It's best to park on concrete.
If there's a thick layer of mud on your UTV, scrape it off with a plastic scraping tool. You may even need to soak it first if the mud has hardened.
Spray with UTV Cleaner
To clean your UTV, you can use an all-purpose cleaner or a specialized car wash product. Mix the cleaner of your choice with water as per the manufacturer's instructions. Opt for a mild UTV cleaner to prevent corrosion. Put this mixture into a garden sprayer, which will help you spray it evenly. Spray the mixture all over the vehicle. Start at the top and move downwards. Make sure to get the inside of the UTV as well. If you don’t have a garden sprayer, use a foam cannon attached to a garden hose. For an economical and old-school option, use a sudsy bucket and large sponge. Whatever you use, let the soap soak for at least 30 minutes to break down caked dirt.
Rinse With a Pressure Washer
UTV’s are sturdy enough to handle the high intensity of a pressure washer. The pressure should be 1300-2000 PSI with a flow rate of 2-4 GSM. This range is just right for cleaning your UTV. Use a 15 degree nozzle to get a tight stream and spray down the vehicle thoroughly. A basic garden hose with a pressurized nozzle can also work if you don’t want to invest in a pressure washer. At this point, 90% of the dirt should have come off your UTV.
It's always best to start with a lower-pressure nozzle (zero degree) and gradually increase the pressure as needed to avoid damaging the surface.
Cleaning Specific Parts
- Nooks and Crevices: Use a brush or cloth and some detergent to get to the places that are harder to reach.
- Windshield: If you have a polycarbonate windshield, do not use a regular window cleaner as it will corrode the surface. Instead, use gentle soap like hand soap or dish soap.
- Seatbelts: This is optional but a bit of fabric cleaner can revive your UTV seatbelts. It will make them look and smell fresh again.
- Stubborn Tires: The soap and pressure washer usually remove everything from your tires. If there are some stubborn leftovers, scrub them with a brush and some tire cleaner.
Drying it Off
If the weather permits, your UTV will dry off in a few hours under the sun. If you need to speed up the process, take it inside the garage and wipe it down. You can also use a leaf blower to dry your UTV. The faster you dry it off, the less likely rust development will occur.
Protecting your UTV
The last step in the cleaning process is to shine up your UTV. A spray-on plastic polish will make it look like you have a sparkling new UTV. Stick to a water-based silicone product as some solvents could damage the plastics on the UTV body. The polish is quite slippery so avoid getting it on your seats.
Finishing Up
While it's clean, check up on your UTV for maintenance issues. Replace essential fluids, filters, and components to guarantee a safe and enjoyable ride every time you hit the trails. Cleaning your UTV after each ride is easier than you think, and it goes a long way. It protects your UTV from rust and keeps it running well. Plus, a clean UTV looks impressive.