What's the best way to clean your dirty car for a like-new result?
Off-road vehicles take a beating: deep mud, thick layers of sand, clay, water, leaves, and gravel. This type of contamination accelerates wear and tear on components, can reduce cooling efficiency, and can cause rust to form rapidly. A good washing routine makes your 4x4 or UTV safer, more powerful, and ready for your next adventure.
Prevent extreme wear - Mud and clay act like sandpaper on moving parts
Better performance & cooling - Clean radiators, suspension and drivetrain operate more efficiently
Protection against rust and corrosion - Especially after driving through water or wet mud
STEP 1: Preparation & removing coarse mud!
Let the vehicle cool. Use a pressure washer, a wide-water jet, or a garden hose to remove loose mud from the fenders, wheel arches, bumpers, and underbody. DO NOT use high pressure on bearings and electrical components.
STEP 2: Pre-wash foam (essential for off-road)!
Apply a powerful pre-wash foam to the entire car: roof, doors, wheel arches, suspension, and chassis. The foam breaks up mud and sand without scrubbing.
STEP 3: Clean wheel arches, tires & chassis!
These areas accumulate the most dirt. Use a combination of APC and degreasers to loosen mud, grease, and clay.
Recommended products:
- APC
- A degreaser such as Q²M Prep
- A tire cleaner such as Q²M TireCleaner
- Long wheel arch brush
- Rim brush for brakes & hubs
STEP 4: Car body hand wash!
Use a gentle, paint-safe shampoo to prevent swirls and scratches. Use the two-bucket method.
STEP 6: Rinse and dry completely!
Rinse everything thoroughly. Use microfiber towels for the bodywork and a blower for the suspension, wheel bearings, radiator fins, and electrical connections.
STAP 6: Apply protection!
Apply protection to both paint and plastics. Off-road vehicles often have many matte plastic parts that dry out quickly in the sun and mud. Besides preventing drying and discoloration, this protection repels dirt, saving you a lot of work and time the next time you need to clean your off-roader.
Recommended products:
- Spray sealant
- Quick detailer
- Wax or ceramic spray
- Plastic & trim protectors for bumpers and rubbers
After every off-road ride. Mud and sand stick together for a long time and can cause mechanical problems.
Yes, but be careful. Avoid bearings, differentials, ECUs, and electrical connections. Use a wide jet, not a hard jet.
A powerful foam that loosens mud, sand, and clay. Foams like Q²M Foam work best.
With a degreaser and a long brush. Expect to repeat the process several times once the mud has dried.
Wash and dry the vehicle as soon as possible, especially the chassis, hinges, and exposed metal. Use a blow dryer to dry thoroughly.
Yes. Off-road vehicles accumulate a lot of dirt underneath. A clean underside improves cooling and prevents corrosion.
Yes. With a spray sealant, wax, or ceramic spray, dirt sticks less and cleaning is much faster.
