Washing Your ATV

Washing your ATV is part of the list of regular maintenance and upkeep you’ll need to perform if you want your machine to continue operating for many years to come. Washing will help prevent grime and dirt from building up on areas where it can cause damage. Not to mention, your four-wheeler will simply look nicer when it’s clean. Whether you’ve just gotten back from a long ride, or you’re getting ready to put your ATV away for the winter, you’ll want to take some time to clean it. America’s Motor Sports Madison has provided a guide to keep you organized and focused. If you need additional help, or if you’d like to see our ATVs for sale near Henderson and Lebanon, stop by our location in Madison, Tennessee. 

Grab Your Owner’s Manual

First things first, you’ll want to review your owner’s manual. This may seem like a strange first step, but the manual is filled with tips and guides to caring for your ATV. This includes a section on how to clean it. It’ll tell you about the best practices and products, or tell you what to avoid. While what we provide are good general tips, you’ll want to review information specifically on your model by going through the manual. 

Hose Down the Quad

Now you’ll want to start by hosing down the entire quad. This is especially important if the grime and dirt are dried on. Sometimes, the act of moisturizing the dirt is enough for it to fall off and can help you with some of the hardest to clean spots. You might even might want to consider soaking parts of it to make removing the dirt easier. Some spots might need to be pushed off by hand. Make sure when you’re doing all this, that the runoff goes somewhere it’s supposed to, like into a drain, rather than in a neighbor’s yard.

Power Washing

Another way you can hose off the top layer of dirt is to use a power washer. Power washers release water at such a high intensity that it’ll strip even some of the most stubborn mud spots, without also damaging the paint. If you don’t want to spend money on a power washer, you can use an adjustable nozzle on a hose and use the most focused setting to get a similar effect, although it might take a little longer to finish.

Apply Soap and Scrub

Once everything’s hosed down, use bike wash or automotive cleaner to start scrubbing down all surfaces of your four-wheeler. These products are designed to be tough on dirt but not harmful to your vehicle. We recommend using a wash mitt or sponge for the majority of the cleaning, although you might want a thinner, stiff brush to get into those hard-to-reach places where dirt might be collecting. Once that’s done, hose down the entire machine to remove all remaining suds. 

Let it Dry

Now it’s time to let the quad dry. Of course, the easiest way to do this is to let it air dry, which on a nice day can be quite easy. However, if the weather’s not right or if you’re on a time crunch, you can also use a lint-free towel to dry it by hand. An air compressor can help you blow away all the moisture in some of the nooks and crannies. It can even be used for the entire ATV, but it might take a little longer. 

A clean ATV is an ATV that’s ready for storage, ready to run longer, and probably more enjoyable to ride. Never underestimate how it feels to ride an ATV that looks brand new. Speaking of brand new, you might still be looking for a quad to ride and care for. If that’s the case, then stop by America’s Motor Sports Madison and let the staff at our ATV dealership show you what we have available right now. We welcome all patrons from Madison, Henderson, and Lebanon, Tennessee.