[snowman_44077]

Hello everyone,

Did some searching on this, and didn't see much about it...

I live in a fairly rural area, but my yard just isn't big enough to ride in (only 3 acres). That said, I take my 07 Rancher 420 4x4 to different locations, tear it up for the weekend, and trailer home. If I'm lucky, I get to do this once a month.

The last time I had her out in the mud, I didn't get a chance to clean it. I usualy like to take it to a car wash and pressure wash it squeaky clean. While it didn't obviously hurt it, the mud sat on her for about 2 months untill this weekend.

The question is, for you guys who ride more frequently than I do, how often do you clean them up? Of course, mud will inhibit rust. I know that. But, I don't pressure wash the bottom of my truck everytime I use it! Just curious about your habits...

 

[DAN400ex]

In the summer I wash my 400 about once every week or two, I try to take care of my stuff and keep it clean. Can't do that in the winter cause it will freeze so I try to keep it relatively clean. I don't think your really gona hurt anything by leaving it dirty. I have several friends who NEVER wash there machines and other than them being filthy all the time they run fine. Although I have noticed they are more rust prone on unprotected parts such as the headers and racks.

 

[tomgodd]

I clean mine after every use. But it usually gets pretty dirty.

 

[Green]

I've had mine for 1 1/2 years and have washed it twice...both because it was covered with blood. It's in my garage with the plow on it now and it's dirty...won't get washed till this spring.

 

[Mud Dog]

After every use. The longest mine goes dirty is during trail fest thats 4 days. and some times i even run it through the car wash while I'm there.

 

[snowman_44077]

I've had mine for 1 1/2 years and have washed it twice...both because it was covered with blood.

Sometimes, someone tells a story no one else can top, and to that I usually say "Jesus, how did THAT happen?!?!"...:huh:

 

[Pyetime]

Clean freak here! I wash and detail both of mine after each use.

 

[tomgodd]

I've had mine for 1 1/2 years and have washed it twice...both because it was covered with blood.

Sometimes, someone tells a story no one else can top, and to that I usually say "Jesus, how did THAT happen?!?!"...:huh:

He is a hunter. I hope thats the blood he is talking about.

 

[838xcracer#1]

I pressure wash it after EVERY ride. Then I take a can of wd-40 and spray it down, after it has completely dried. Mud is a killer on a quad. Be careful when using a pressure washer. It can do more harm then good if your not carefull. But I take very very good care of his quad.

 

[mud99]

I wash mine after every trip because they get pretty muddy.

 

[DAN400ex]

I pressure wash it after EVERY ride. Then I take a can of wd-40 and spray it down, after it has completely dried. Mud is a killer on a quad. Be careful when using a pressure washer. It can do more harm then good if your not carefull. But I take very very good care of his quad.

I agree, gotta be careful with pressure washers. You can also blow your decals off like my buddy did. lol

 

[n328]

After each ride

 

[Reece616]

i usually try to do it after each ride, if it actually gets dirty (sometimes just riding around the yard it doesn't) but lately since it's cold and the hose is off, i dont get to wash as often.

 

[demon250r]

I would be a clean freak as well, I have washed both my atv's in the woods just pull right up to a clean puddle.

 

[ostrx250]

yea if it rains before i put it up hahaha jk i washed a few times in the last 6 or 7 months ive had it

 

[JBGill06]

There's no reason to wash it every ride. But, like most situations, its rider preference.

 

[beanodamus]

i live in town, so i cant ride at home. therefore after i get back to town, i wash it completely before it goes back into the garage. THATS the best way to inhibit rust.

 

[mud99]

We had a discussion oh here a while back and someone said you can use cooking spray on the plastic and its easier to wash the mud off at the end of the day. Im going to give it a try this year on my sons MX bike. Go to look good for the race.

 

[Green]

I've had mine for 1 1/2 years and have washed it twice...both because it was covered with blood.

Sometimes, someone tells a story no one else can top, and to that I usually say "Jesus, how did THAT happen?!?!"...:huh:

I haul deer on the rear rack.

I've had mine for 1 1/2 years and have washed it twice...both because it was covered with blood.

Sometimes, someone tells a story no one else can top, and to that I usually say "Jesus, how did THAT happen?!?!"...:huh:

He is a hunter. I hope thats the blood he is talking about.

You got it.

 

[snowman_44077]

Good to see the deer on the back, and not Uncle Louie.

I'll have to try the WD-40 idea. Seems like good preventative maint. Also, I'm well aware of the dangers of a pressure washer. I was a porter at an auto dealer years ago and had one cut right through the sidewall of a tire when I was cleaning it! Ouch!hmy: