A Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning Your Utility Vehicle
Utility vehicles are made to get dirty! They coast through mud, drive over dusty trails, sweep through grass, and plunge into puddles. After a while, all that grime can build up and if it’s not addressed, it can slow down your vehicle and clog up the engine. That’s why it’s important to regularly clean our utility vehicle to keep it looking good and operating well. Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning your UTV to get it ready for your next adventure.
1. Gather the Cleaning Supplies
Park your utility vehicle on flat, even ground with good drainage. You don’t want to wash it over your lawn because the debris and soap will damage your grass. Try to park the vehicle out of direct sunlight so that soap streaks don’t dry onto it as you clean.
Get all the supplies you’ll need in one place so you don’t have to stop what you’re doing to hunt for that sponge or scrub brush. You’ll need a source of clean, fresh water, a UTV-friendly soap (there are several brands of washes specifically designed for off-road vehicles), a plastic mud scraper, some hard-bristle brushes, sponges, a few buckets, a polish, rubber gloves, and some towels.
2. Rinse and Scrape the Mud
Your utility vehicle is probably covered in mud and debris that’s caked on to some degree. Use your hose, soak the whole vehicle from top to bottom, and let it sit for 15 minutes to loosen up the grime. You can use a plastic mud scraper to get rid of the big chunks easily. If you have a pressure washer, you can use it to blast off the mud.
3. Soap Up and Scrub
Dilute some of your washing fluid in a bucket of water and scrub your vehicle from top to bottom. You can use a wash mitt or a sponge. Rinse these items regularly and refresh the bucket of water and soap as it gets dirty. A degreasing solution can help to remove oil; just spray it on and wait before rinsing it off. You can also use a stiff brush to clean out oil and dirt in nooks and crannies.
4. Rinse and Dry
Now it’s time to rinse off all the soap. You can then let your utility vehicle dry in the breeze or you can towel it off yourself. An air compressor or leaf blower can expedite the process while also helping to blast water out of those little nooks.
5. Finishing Touches
To get your utility vehicle to shine, apply a plastic polish over the exterior and wipe it down. Avoid getting the polish on the seats as this can make them too slippery and dangerous. Tire shine is another thing you can apply if you so desire. Now you can stand back and admire your utility vehicle before you get ready for your next off-road adventure.
Trying to find utility vehicles for sale in Little Rock, AR? Visit Central Arkansas Mahindra to take a look at our vast selection. If your UTV needs some professional maintenance, contact our service department to schedule an appointment with our mechanics. We proudly serve all those in Sherwood, Conway, and Hot Springs.