Your all-terrain vehicle gets dirty pretty fast — that’s part of the fun! But it’s important to clean your quad in between rides to keep your machine running smoothly. Keep reading for some quick tips for washing your ATV. If you have any questions or you are looking for ATVs for sale in California, contact RideNow SoCal. We are located in Vista, California and are proud to serve San Diego and El Cajon too!

Pre-Soak the Mud and Scrape

Start by finding a place to wash your ATV. Keep in mind that you’ll want to make sure to hose down the sidewalk and get all of the grime down the drain if you choose to clean your machine in your driveway.

If your quad is particularly muddy, you’ll need to scrape the mud or soak it off before you apply soap. A plastic mud scraper is the perfect tool to get off chunks of dirt without scratching your ATV’s paint. 

Use Your Pressure Washer

The next step of the cleaning process is to pull out your pressure washer. This tool will help you blast off stubborn grime that remains after your initial soaking and scraping. A pressure washer at full blast shouldn’t damage your quad, so try your best to get off as much first as possible so you don’t have to spend hours scrubbing by hand. If you don’t have a pressure washer, a hose and nozzle will work just fine.

Add Soap and Scrub

After your four-wheeler is rinsed down, use a wash mitt or sponge with some bike soap or automotive detergent to scrub the surface of your quad. Clean everywhere from the wheels to the handlebars. Focus on the plastics, the seat, the wheels, and the frame in particular. Use a stiff brush to get dirt out of all of the nooks and crannies of your ATV. Degreaser can help with especially oily areas.

Dry it Off

If the weather forecast is clear skies and sunshine, you can let your ATV air dry. You can also take your rig into the garage and use a lint-free towel to dry it off. An air compressor can be a great tool to blast out water from all of the crevices of your quad. Not to mention it will save you time and effort.

Polish

To put the finishing touches on your four-wheeler, apply a plastic polish and wipe it down. This will have your quad looking brand new! Just make sure to avoid getting any polish on the seat.

We hope this guide helps you keep your ATV clean in between adventures. Call RideNow SoCal today and we’ll offer more advice, and help you find the perfect machine to blaze through dirt trails on. We are located in Vista, California and are proud to serve San Diego and El Cajon. We look forward to helping you make the most of your next off-road experience!