UTV Cleaning Guide
Regular maintenance is an important part of owning and riding a UTV, especially when it comes to cleaning your side-by-side. The last thing you want to do after coming back from a trail ride is to clear away all the mud and grime from your machine. However, if you leave your utility vehicle covered in mud for a long time, the dirt will possibly affect its performance.
Cleaning your UTV isn’t only about keeping it looking nice, it will also help it last longer and prevent debris from clogging up critical components. Bobcat of Pittsburgh/Erie/Indiana County has provided some helpful cleaning tips below. If you’re still shopping around for the perfect side-by-side, give us a call or visit one of our dealerships in Pennsylvania.
Pre-Soak & Scrape
If your UTV happens to be extremely muddy when you go to clean it, you may need to scrape the mud or soak it off before applying any soap. A plastic mud scraper will allow you to remove chunks of dirt without damaging your vehicle’s paint or finish. Otherwise, you can simply hose it down and wait for the dirty to run off, then hose it down again until the first layer is removed.
Pressure Wash the Grime
A pressure washer can be instrumental in blasting off stubborn grime that’s left after your soaking and scraping efforts. Even when you use it on full blast, the water shouldn’t damage your side-by-side. You can decide whether you’d prefer to use a gas or an electric pressure washer. The gas option is more powerful. A hose and nozzle can also help blast water away if you’d rather not be bothered with pressure washing. Your goal is to make sure that you get as many layers of dirt off the vehicle as possible without spending ages scrubbing by hand.
Soap & Scrub
Once you’ve got your UTV hosed down, you can use a sponge with some automotive detergent or soap to scrub it down. You’ll want to scrub every surface, from the frame to the seats and wheels. Don’t forget to work on the plastics. A stiff brush will help you drag out dirt and oil that’s stuck in nooks and crannies.
Dry It Off and Polish
If you’re lucky and you’ve got good weather, you can simply allow your side-by-side to air dry in the sun. Alternatively, you can take it into your garage and dry it with a lint-free towel. If you have access to an air compressor, you can blast water out of each crevice to get it dry in no time. This prevents rust and saves you the time and trouble of drying it by hand.
This last step is optional, but it’s definitely worth it. A good polish that you can spray over your UTV and wipe it down is ideal. It will do wonders in making it look shiny and new again.
If your UTV is due for service, you can count on your friends at Bobcat of Pittsburgh/Erie/Indiana County. We’ve also got an impressive selection of side-by-sides for sale if you’re still shopping around. We have multiple locations throughout Pennsylvania, and we proudly serve all those in Ohio and Indiana.