ATV Plastic Cleaner Mega Guide - All You Need To Know

Cleaning your ATV is something that you need to do. It isn’t pretty, but sometimes fun and a long ride out in the sun on your vehicle is going to lead to a bit of mess.

Over time, your ATV can fade and crack and receive some serious scratches. However, a deep and properly clean and dry with some special products and techniques can prevent the damage from lasting long.

If you have some spare time and are looking to make your ATV shine again, here is the best way to do it.

The First Step Of Cleaning ATV Plastic - Clean Off The Gunk

The first and maybe most important step when cleaning your ATV is getting all that yucky, crummy gunk off it. Now, something you can do before your next ride in an attempt to not even accumulate that gunk is to coat your ride in something like SC1 high gloss coating. That will hopefully prevent some of the mess that can build up on the ATV.

You can do other things to clear off the gunk to use Torque Detail Decon Soap to do away with and eliminate some of the mess. There are other deep cleaners on the market too, they all help wipe out some mess.

You can always use something like X-Team Spray Cleaner or Simple Green to wipe off dirt and grime and keep your ATV looking brand new and shining.

If you are looking to make your ATV appear like it just came off the lot, you can restore oxidized plastic with a 60/40 mix of paint thinner and boiled linseed oil. You can find some videos online of people doing just this, and it does have quite an impressive effect.

Types of ATV Plastic Damage

No matter how hard you try and the precautions you take, there is a good chance that at some point, the plastic on your ATV is going to be damaged. These things are bound to happen; it is the nature of ATV riding.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t educate yourself and do all you can to prevent these sorts of damages, though. Knowledge is power in this case, and knowing the kind of issues your ATV plastic will undergo is vital in avoiding them to the best of your ability.

So, what sort of plastic damage can your ATV experience?

ATV Scratches

ATV scratches are among the most common complaints you will hear about when it comes to issues related to an all-terrain vehicle. There are different ways to get scratches and also different types of scratches too. You have light scratches and deep scratches.

Branches and brushes and everyday shrubbery often cause light scratches. Those aren’t the real headaches. The serious problems are the deep scratches, which can often be fixed with a plastic bonder or filler. There are numerous products out there that help with deep ATV plastic scratches. Use a putty knife and a plastic bonder product to fill in the blanks and fix the scratches the best way possible.

If you feel adventurous, you can also use sandpaper to work on the plastic scratches, but that will require you to disassemble your ATV’s component, which can be a very long process.

ATV Cracked Plastic

Cracked ATV plastic is a whole other issue that owners have to grow accustomed to. Depending on how well you take care of your automotive vehicle, they can dry and crack over time after being out in the sun.

Thankfully, cracked plastics are fixable without too much hassle. You can use products such as JB Weld to fix cracks or invest in something more heavy-duty like a hot staple gun kit to staple the pieces back together. It is as simple as lining up the pieces and stapling them together. A heated staple can sink into the plastic and create a super-strong bond.

ATV Plastic Fading and Discoloration

Plastic fading and discoloration with your ATV is, sadly, something that happens far too often. There is nothing worse than seeing a faded and dull ATV.

The truth is that oils in the plastic evaporate over time, leading to a fade that seems inevitable. But it is not. There are solutions to keeping your vehicle looking fresh and new. You can sand down the plastics a bit, carefully use a heat gun to bring the oils inside the plastic to the surface, or apply Torque Plastic Restore to the ATV.

How To Clean ATV Plastic After Washing (Best Method)

Now that you have your ATV plastic washed, you are ready to give it a deep clean before putting it back together and enjoying your ride once again.

But what is the best way to get into every nook and cranny of your ATV and give it a deep clean and wash? You will need to follow a few steps if you want to do it right, so pay close attention.

Tip: Remove Components

Sadly, this is an important step, one that many people forget, and it will only cause a hassle later. You need to remove as many components from your ATV as possible. That means the skid trays, rack, and any other bulky pieces you can detach need to be taken off to get a real clean and wash on your vehicle.

Restore The Plastic

Once you have all the pieces you can detached removed; you can get to the hard work of restoring the plastic on your ATV. Thankfully multiple products on the market can assist you with this.

A particularly popular and effective plastic restorer for your ATV would be Torque Detail Plastic Restore. It is an easy-to-apply creation that is effective on most surfaces and uses nanotechnology to deeply permeate plastic and change the chemical chemistry to bring it back to its original state.

Plus, Plastic Restore is both water and sun-resistant and is safe and eco-friendly too. It is a great choice when you want to get your plastic good as new again.

Apply Anti-Mud Coating

Some ATV owners use an anti-mud coating when they are cleaning their vehicles. Is it necessary? Not technically. It also costs more too, so that is a drawback for many people.

Yet, a good anti-mud coating will prevent mud, gunk, and grime from building up over time and is an extra step that some people take to ensure their vehicle looks fantastic long into the future.

Summary - How To Clean Your ATV Plastic Well and Efficiently

Cleaning your ATV plastic is a long process; it certainly isn’t a two-hour affair. You are going to want to set aside some time to do it and do it right.

It is a necessary process, however. And while it may take some time (and money), there are just a few steps you need to follow to ensure your ride looks brand spanking new in no time.

Tend to the scratches and fades in your ATV, then take apart as many components as you can, and use a plastic restorer and maybe an anti-mud coating, and you will be good to go. It isn't many steps; they just take a while. But your ATV is worth it.