Winter brings with it rain and snow. And where there is moisture there is usually rust, unless you’re taking precautions to avoid it. Rust is not only unsightly, but it can compromise the strength of the materials that make up your UTV. This can lead to structural weakness which will limit the lifetime of your UTV and it may limit your UTV’s ability to keep you safe in an accident. With a few simple steps, you can easily avoid rust and keep your UTV in tip-top shape. Here’s how to prevent rust.

Grease

Using grease on various parts of your UTV is a great way to prevent rust. The grease acts as a barrier to water, keeping metal dry and free from decay. First, make sure your UTV parts are clean and dry, then apply something like WD-40 to your frame, engine, shocks, a-arms, springs and radiator. This can be done in the fall to prepare your UTV for winter before the snow begins to fly. Once winter hits, there are a few other things you can do to take care of your UTV and prevent rust.

Keep it Clean

As you begin to experience the moisture and cold that comes with winter, there are a few things to keep in mind that will ensure your UTV is maintained properly. After each ride or outing, be sure that you’re removing any excess snow from your UTV. You don’t want the wet hanging around on your machine longer than it needs to! If you’re going to regularly ride this winter, you also need to also regularly wash your UTV. You want to make sure you’re removing all salt that may be on your UTV as it can encourage rust.  You can use a salt-away spray or something similar that would be used on a boat to help with this. But remember that as you clean your UTV,  you should avoid giving it a wash in freezing temperatures. Again, the goal is to keep moisture off of your UTV as much as possible.
Cleaning the undercarriage of your UTV is also crucial to keeping your machine rust-free. After each ride, weather permitting, you should be spraying down the underbelly of your UTV.

Prevent

One great way to prevent rust is to keep a watchful eye out for any nicks or scratches to your UTV. If you’re inspecting your UTV when you clean it after each ride, you’ll be able to quickly identify any areas of damage that will be susceptible to rust. As soon as you notice this damage, you’ll want to act quickly to repair any damage before rust has a chance to set in. A powder coating or marine enamel paint will help keep the body of your UTV protected from rust.

Whether you’re looking for help finding products to prevent rust, or if you have any other questions about your UTV care or maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact the UTV experts at UTV Windshields & Accessories.