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How are you washing your Skidoo?

9.3K views 43 replies 33 participants last post by  UP Rider  
#1 ·
Hey Folks, so I just got my sled just in time for spring so I'm going to get it ready for storage but what I'm after is how people are washing their sleds. Is anyone using power washers and if so any tips, anyone using that car wash in a bottle stuff were you just soak a micro fiber cloth and the surface to be washed and wipe away, I used that on my stang and worked well on metal.

LMK what you guys are doing to clean the salt and crap off the sleds and thankks in advance.
 
#4 ·
I'm going to use foaming engine cleaner on the engine compartment after I remove side panels, muffler and sound deadening panel or whatever it is. Then I'll scrub with a small harbor freight brush. I have 2 stroke dribble right where the y-pipe and pipe meet. Made a gummy mess and I want it out of there. Once I get the engine compartment soaked and scrubbed up a bit, I'll simply run a hose over the engine with a 5 gallon bucket under the muffler side ski. Let it drain out and then blow it out.

Then was the outside with whatever I have for my autos. I'll then spray a little wax on it and dry it off. Then finally grease all joints to push any water out and spray down the engine lightly with silicone spray and put her away for the year.
 
#5 ·
I use a auto wash not a lot of water and carefully rinse with a microfiber. Then I apply turtle wax ice polish to the hood and painted panels. I usually use wd40 on the shock shafts although I'm aware it's not a rust proofing it has served me well over years. And I usually throw a dust cover over it for the summer months to keep the dust off. And in the fall I usually repeat the wash and wax because I'm a bit anal when it comes to that for some reason and hit the windscreen with rain x.


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#7 ·
Thanks for the quick replies guys.
 
#8 ·
I'm anal about getting it very clean. I use brake clean inside the bottom of the engine compartment to get all the oil an grime out. Then hot soapy water with a power washer but on low and a big fan making sure it's all clean. Of coarse when I'm doing this the primary as well as the muffler has been removed and a rag is stuffed into the pipe with a piece of plastic is zip tied to the over the end.

After it's all done and before I put it away I leave in my my clamshell opened for a few days in the sun to make sure it's as dry as I can get it so to cut down on the inevitable mildew that with be there when you open it in the fall. I also put the grease to her and before I close the cover I give it all a dose of armourall or something like that, as I'll go over the entire sled both pre as well as post storage and take notes to make sure I don't miss anything.

I actually make a check list of what I need or want to do before the next seasons ride, get the parts over the summer and after hunting season (Nov) I do all the work to make it ready while it waits in the garage for snow.

The clutch gets cleaned separately by hand and stored in a helmet bag on a shelf in the coat room.
 
#10 ·
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#18 ·
Sorry for taking up your valuable time. what would you like to talk about ? Perhaps start your own topic in the forum of your liking and one of the dootalk customer service representatives will be happy to help. As you can see here at dootalk we have members well trained and ready to answer any and all questions big and small. And yes hahaha even the dreaded can question will get addressed here.

Sorry OP little rant there powers out here. I will add that an ounce of prevention goes along way. The occasional mid season wash helps also especially if you trailer. I'm lucky enough that I never have to trailer to snowmobile but others that do. A bit of wax and wd 40 or fluid film on certain areas can really keep the machine looking its best when it's time to move it along. When I traded my 06 this fall the mechanic came out to give it the ounce over and I'm sure there not supposed to tip there hand but he was a bit amazed at the overall condition off the sled. Even the under hood engine components get a good wipe down with an electrical approved brake clean prior to storage for me.

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#17 ·
#21 · (Edited by Moderator)
lots of damage can happen from power washers even tho they can make cleaning easy and stuff look nice

water can get forced into places that will corrode/rust/seize and a few other possible issues

garden hose and good degreaser,air hose,scubby pads,towels,,and some sort of spray lube to prevent corrosion
 
#22 ·
Cmon give him a break he drives a vette.

There are no stupid questions. I see "how do I wash my car?" threads in automotive forums all the time. :)
 
#23 ·
Biggest mistake many do is use dish soap which is the worst thing you could use for a car truck or sled. It removes all wax and actually changes the paint finish on most everything. Do some research on what kind of soaps that work well on paint or what ever type of surfaces you are washing. just don't use dish soap.

Simple Green in a spray bottle works very well for engine cleaning, that and a tooth brush. I use "groits" (sp) car care products for most of my paint and gel-coat applications.
 
#24 · (Edited by Moderator)
lots of damage can happen from power washers even tho they can make cleaning easy and stuff look nice

water can get forced into places that will corrode/rust/seize and a few other possible issues

garden hose and good degreaser,air hose,scubby pads,towels,,and some sort of spray lube to prevent corrosion
x2 on the powerwashers.Thats why I use the spray bottle