12 Snowmobile Cleaning Tips You Need to Know

Did you know that some of the best snowmobile trails can be found in the US? More people than ever are realizing that when the summer sun fades, lots of outdoor fun can still be had. But when the time comes to get the snowmobile out of hibernation, how do you keep it maintained?

The amount of dirt that can accumulate on the trails can put many people off. Read on as we give the essential snowmobile cleaning tips.

1. Get Stocked Up

When you first purchase your snowmobile, invest in some quality products and tools to maintain it. Normal household cleaning products can be used for most of the jobs or for a professional finish, you may wish to invest in some high-end specialist goods. The products you should stock up on are listed below.

• Stiff nylon brushes
• Microfibre towels
• Car wash sponge
• Bucket
• Air compressor
• Pressure washer (optional)
• Spray cleaner and polish
• WD-40
• Degreaser
• Wax

Most of this can be bought cheaply if you don’t buy the electrical goods. If you are on a budget you may be able to get these second-hand.

2. Blow Away Dirt

Before starting, you can make your job easier by blowing away the larger chunks of dirt and debris. By the nature of the terrain it rides on, this can accumulate quickly when riding a snowmobile. If you go straight to the wash, you may find it extremely stubborn and tough to remove.

Do this with an air compressor. Adding one to your snowmobile maintenance list of tools is a good investment.

Start at the front and move to the back of the vehicle. Blow every area you can, from the suspensions to the rear hood. You may need to maneuver yourself so the dirt is always being blown outward and not inward.

3. Soap and Water

There are a number of cleaning products on the market to help with your task. At first, you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of them. Yet you should always remember that nothing is better for snowmobile maintenance than simple warm water and mild soap.

Make sure you replace the bucket regularly. Doing so ensures you are not spreading the dirty old water from the sponge back on the vehicle. Park the snowmobile on a flat and level surface before you begin.

Using a pressure washer is fine as long as the stream is not too powerful. Make sure the stream does not go too close to the in and outtakes of the vehicle. If water gets in, it can damage the shocks and electrics in the snowmobile.

4. Clean the Steering

Grease is essential to keep your snowmobile moving fluently. It also helps keep it going for longer, making sure parts do not rub against each other and wear out. It is important that the snowmobile is well greased for this reason.

One problem occurs when people do not remove old and excess grease. When left, the grease can hold grit, salt, and other particles from the road. All of this can cause excessive corrosion around the ski saddles and spindles.

Removing grease is easy, and you can do it with a small flat tool or even your finger. Once the bulk gets removed, take off the remaining excess with a small towel. The steering can then have soap, water, and a stiff brush taken to it before the application of fresh grease.

5. Cleaning the Engine

The engine should not require that much cleaning. Be wary as you could damage its fragile components. Unless it is so dirty that it could increase corrosion or performance, then it is probably best left alone.

A time may come when it has to be done, and it is then you need to tread carefully. Of all the parts in the snowmobile, damage in this will cost the most to repair. That means taking precautions when conducting the task.

Start by getting a lot of plastic bags, ideally large garbage bags. Wrap all of the electronics under the hood and the oil tank. Tape them down so they are watertight, preventing spray and droplets from seriously interfering.

Spread a cleaner solution on the engine. There are a number of great products you can find online. Leave this for five minutes, then wash it off with warm water and soap solution.

Don’t use a pressure washer, as you will damage the engine and bearings. Instead, scrub with a stiff brush and the water solution. Dry it with a microfibre towel then grease everything needed.

Now all you need to do is take off the plastic bags. Your engine should look shiny and good as new.

6. Cleaning the Carburetors

Carburetors are essential to the function of your engine, and so need cleaning thoroughly. You could face engine problems if you don’t, or it may not start at all. Unfortunately, it is one of the hardest places to clean and easiest to get wrong.

There are methods to clean without removing the carburetors themselves, but this method never cleans as deep as it should. The guide to removing and cleaning carburetors is a whole article in itself. If you don’t have experience with engines and how to dismantle them, then hire a professional to do the job.

7. Cleaning the Tunnel

The tunnel is one area where it pays to buy a special solution. There are a few options especially for brightening the tunnel and cleaning it. Most are relatively cheap and will clean, brighten and deoxidize the tunnel as opposed to simply giving a wash.

Spray the cleaner on then leave it for around five minutes. Proceed to rub it in using a brush then wipe it off. After this, add a little metal polish using a clean towel or cloth for added shine.

8. Tracks and Skis

Before heading out for the season, always check your tracks to see if the rubber has deteriorated. When the snowmobile parks on the ground for long periods in one place, moisture can work its way up and into the body causing this problem. A stand can prevent this and is essential if the mobile parks for a long period of time.

Use the air compressor to remove dirt from all the nooks and crannies. Spread a degreaser over the tracks following this. Leave it for a few minutes then remove all excess with a fresh towel.

9. Chain Case

Cleaning the chaincase is easy but does require the help of a friend. This is because you need to lay to snowmobile on its left-hand side before you can begin.

Once laid flat, take off the cover and use a turnkey injector. This will remove the oil. Clean the area with a standard brake cleaner, replace the cover then stand the snowmobile upright.

10. Clutches

The clutches will also need dirt removing, and you can follow the same process that you would for most parts of the vehicle. Begin by removing the retaining belt. Follow this with a blast from your air compressor to remove larger pieces of dirt and grime.

After this, get to work with the nylon brushes. You can buy a cleaner to do this, but acetone will work just as well. All grease and dirt should be totally removed before replacing the retaining belt and it should be thoroughly dry.

11. Restoring Vinyl and Plastic

If the seat of the snowmobile faces exposure to the sun, it can fade and discolour. Luckily, you can restore it to its former glory. All it needs is rehydration and shine.

The seat is one of the most durable parts of the snowmobile so don’t worry about going rough. You can scrub quite vigorously without causing damage. Invest in quality car seat cleaning products and apply them with a microfibre towel.

WD-40 can work just as well if you don’t have a seat cleaner product. The same towel and product can be used to detail your side panels and nose pans. Carry on to the A-Arms and steering rods, to provide an all-over finish that will give the snowmobile a forecourt feel to it.

12. Polishing the Snowmobile

Once the snowmobile is washed and dry, you can carry on with polishing. Start by spraying the vehicle with a formula that is non-petroleum-based. This will ensure that the plastic parts do not get damaged.

Before the application of wax or polish, check if a colourant dye is in it before you begin. Do this on a small, unnoticeable area of the bodywork. Aim to find a product that is safe on surfaces with or without a painted finish.

Never use an electric polisher or buffer on the snowmobile. They are far too harsh and could cause damage. Instead, a soft towel or cloth and some hard work will more than suffice.

Implementing Cleaning Tips

Now you have the cleaning tips, you need a schedule. Some of these will need to be done after every outing, while others less so. Make sure you have a schedule in place so they are not missed out.

Westshore Marine and Leisure should be your first stop for snowmobiles. We have a range of vehicles and even offer rentals. Contact us here to discuss your needs and you could be out on the trails before you know it.