How to Maintain Your ATV After a Mud Weekend (Checklist + Tips)

July 20, 2025

ByChris Nichols 0 Comments

How to Maintain Your ATV After a Mud Weekend (Checklist + Tips)

If you're anything like us at Vessel Powersports, a perfect weekend means buried axles, muddy goggles, and a machine that got absolutely sent. But when the fun’s over and the mud’s dried, your ATV needs serious attention. Skipping post-mud maintenance is the fastest way to ruin your bearings, fry your electrical, and turn a reliable beast into a garage ornament

✅ 1. Pressure Wash Immediately (But Smartly)

Don't let the mud bake on.
The longer it sits, the harder it is to clean — and the more damage it can do.

Tips:

• Use a pressure washer or high-flow hose.

• Avoid spraying directly into electrical connectors, seals, or bearings.

• Hit your radiator, undercarriage, suspension arms, and skid plates thoroughly.

• A foam cannon helps break down caked-on muck before you blast it off.

🛠️ 2. Clean Your Air Filter

Mud = dust, water, and grit — your filter takes a beating.

Tips:

• Remove the filter and inspect for mud, moisture, or tearing.

• If it’s reusable, clean and re-oil it.

• Foam filters can be rinsed, dried, and re-oiled.

• Replace if it looks trashed — filters are cheap, engines aren’t.

🧼 3. Scrub & Lube Your Chain or Driveshaft

Neglecting your chain is a rookie move. Mud strips lubrication and invites rust.

Tips:

• Use a chain cleaner or degreaser.

• Let it dry, then apply a high-quality chain lube.

• For shaft-drive Hondas, check u-joints and apply fresh grease where needed.

🧽 4. Grease All Fittings

If your machine has grease zerks, use them. Mud will push old grease out.

Common areas to grease:

• A-arms

• Swingarm pivot

• Wheel bearings

• Driveshaft fittings

🧪 5. Check Your Fluids (Especially Diffs & Transmission)

Water and mud love to sneak in. Contaminated oil = early failure.

Check for:

• Milky or cloudy fluid (a sign of water intrusion)

• Smell of burnt gear oil after heavy use

• Top off or replace as needed

🔋 6. Inspect Electrical Connections

Mud and water can corrode connectors fast, especially on Honda Rubicons or Talons with snorkels and light mods.

Tips:

• Unplug key connectors and inspect for moisture or corrosion

• Use dielectric grease to protect them before plugging back in

• Dry off your starter, relays, and fuse box if submerged

🔩 7. Tighten & Inspect Key Components

A rough weekend can rattle your ride loose.

Check:

• Lug nuts

• Control arms

• Brake caliper bolts

• Rack mounts (especially if you’re running our heavy-duty versions)

🛞 8. Inspect Tires and Axles

If you hit deep holes, there’s a good chance something got stressed or bent.

Tips:

• Look for cracks, chunking, or cuts in the tire lugs

• Spin the wheels and feel for clicks or binding in the axles

• If you're running Demon Powersports heavy-duty axles, make sure your boots are intact and clean

🔥 Bonus Tip: Reapply Mud Protection Products

If you use a silicone-based spray or plastic restorer to keep plastics looking clean and easier to wash — reapply it now that everything's dry and clean.

💪 Keep Your Build Ready for the Next Ride

Post-ride maintenance isn’t glamorous, but it’s the reason our machines at Vessel Powersports take hit after hit and keep on pushing. If you're constantly finding yourself replacing broken parts, it might be time to upgrade to gear made to handle it — like our dual wide LED headlights, Demon axles, heavy-duty rack mounts, and rear enclosures for your Talon.

Need help finding the right parts or want a custom build list for your next mud event? Contact us here — we build what we ride.

Chris Nichols