Snowblowers:
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Snowblowers save time, your back, and perhaps your life---considering how many people have fatal heart attacks while shoveling snow. No matter what your unit's size or whether it's self-propelled or mounted on a tractor, you need to know your instruction manual before you clean it.
To clean your snowblower, sponge dish-washing detergent and warm water over the machine and rinse it with clear water. Stay away from harsh cleaners that might affect the paint. Keep an eye out for rust during your cleaning. If your machine is heavily caked with dirt and deposits of salt from the last season. you could take it to a car wash and use the power hose.
In good weather, leave the machine in the sun to dry or wipe it down with a rag or old towel. Apply a car wax with a soft cloth in a circular motion to help prevent the buildup of snow.
If you spot rust on any exposed metal part, treat the area. Use emery paper, emery cloth, or steel wool and apply in circular motions to remove the rust and smooth the surface. Then apply high gloss machinery enamel for outdoor use. The high gloss will also curb the buildup of snow by providing a smooth and lubricated surface. For a little more money, epoxy paint words well. It dries very hard and forms an abrasive-resistant surface. Give yourself time to spot and fix trouble. Epoxy paint takes 7 to 14 days to cure properly. Follow directions and apply only in a well ventilated area.
expert advice
Let the Ice Slide >
Want to keep your snow blower from rusting and ice from building up in the chute and causing a block? Look at the kitchen, says Martin Bruckner, general manager of AAa Rental Center in Colorado. Use a nonstick cooking spray, such as Pam, on the outside and inside of the chute and auger.
After each use of your snowblower, wipe down the exterior and interior of all surfaces on the machine with a dry rag or old towel. Check for rust and deal with it immediately. Always make sure the machine is left dry so water from snow melt won't freeze on it, leading to rust or clogging the chute.
Safety should be your top priority Before cleaning or removing blockages or plugs in the chute or auger, shut off the machine. Get into the habit of removing the spark plug wire on machines with gas engines. That way, if you're vigorously cleaning and causing the blades to rotate, you won't cause the engine to fire and start. Remove the power cord from the electrical socket on electrically powered units.
Snowmobiles
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Approach cleaning your snowmobile just as you would your car. Definitely clean it at the beginning and end of each season---more often if you use it regularly. But the first rule of cleaning your snowmobile is to refer to the owner's manual for recommendations on cleaning, waxing, lubricating , and greasing. Once a year, have the snowmobile inspected and the gear casing checked to make sure it is safe.
To remove loose dirt, spray the snowmobile with water from a garden hose or power hose. Choose a part of the yard where the run-off water will be harmless if it freezes. Take care around the engine if you're using a power hose. You don't want to force water through the air intake, clutches, seals, and bearings. As an extra precaution, cover the air intake box with a rag or plastic bag. Also watch out for decals on the hood that could be removed by a power hose.
Use any mild car cleaner or a cleaner like Simple Green. (Use the latter full strength) Apply the soapy water or cleaner to the exterior with a sponge or rag. Where dirt has built up, use a soft bristled brush. On hard-to-reach areas, an old toothbrush will get where you hand can't. Let the cleaning solution sit for three to five minutes and then rinse it off with fresh water. Follow with a light car polish for the painted parts, spread on with a terry cloth or other rag. Apply a chrome polish such as Simichrome Polish on chrome and aluminum. Wipe the polish off. There's no need for buffing.
To clean the seat and protect it from the elements, spray on a cleaner such as Armor All and then wipe it off. If your seat has a manufacturer's logo on it, don't use degreasing soap products (car wash soap) at full strength, because they will in time remove or mess up the logo.
To clean the windshield, use either a glass cleaner or Simple Green again.
Here are some special considerations for cleaning snowmobiles:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snowblowers save time, your back, and perhaps your life---considering how many people have fatal heart attacks while shoveling snow. No matter what your unit's size or whether it's self-propelled or mounted on a tractor, you need to know your instruction manual before you clean it.
To clean your snowblower, sponge dish-washing detergent and warm water over the machine and rinse it with clear water. Stay away from harsh cleaners that might affect the paint. Keep an eye out for rust during your cleaning. If your machine is heavily caked with dirt and deposits of salt from the last season. you could take it to a car wash and use the power hose.
In good weather, leave the machine in the sun to dry or wipe it down with a rag or old towel. Apply a car wax with a soft cloth in a circular motion to help prevent the buildup of snow.
If you spot rust on any exposed metal part, treat the area. Use emery paper, emery cloth, or steel wool and apply in circular motions to remove the rust and smooth the surface. Then apply high gloss machinery enamel for outdoor use. The high gloss will also curb the buildup of snow by providing a smooth and lubricated surface. For a little more money, epoxy paint words well. It dries very hard and forms an abrasive-resistant surface. Give yourself time to spot and fix trouble. Epoxy paint takes 7 to 14 days to cure properly. Follow directions and apply only in a well ventilated area.
expert advice
Let the Ice Slide >
Want to keep your snow blower from rusting and ice from building up in the chute and causing a block? Look at the kitchen, says Martin Bruckner, general manager of AAa Rental Center in Colorado. Use a nonstick cooking spray, such as Pam, on the outside and inside of the chute and auger.
After each use of your snowblower, wipe down the exterior and interior of all surfaces on the machine with a dry rag or old towel. Check for rust and deal with it immediately. Always make sure the machine is left dry so water from snow melt won't freeze on it, leading to rust or clogging the chute.
Safety should be your top priority Before cleaning or removing blockages or plugs in the chute or auger, shut off the machine. Get into the habit of removing the spark plug wire on machines with gas engines. That way, if you're vigorously cleaning and causing the blades to rotate, you won't cause the engine to fire and start. Remove the power cord from the electrical socket on electrically powered units.
Snowmobiles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approach cleaning your snowmobile just as you would your car. Definitely clean it at the beginning and end of each season---more often if you use it regularly. But the first rule of cleaning your snowmobile is to refer to the owner's manual for recommendations on cleaning, waxing, lubricating , and greasing. Once a year, have the snowmobile inspected and the gear casing checked to make sure it is safe.
To remove loose dirt, spray the snowmobile with water from a garden hose or power hose. Choose a part of the yard where the run-off water will be harmless if it freezes. Take care around the engine if you're using a power hose. You don't want to force water through the air intake, clutches, seals, and bearings. As an extra precaution, cover the air intake box with a rag or plastic bag. Also watch out for decals on the hood that could be removed by a power hose.
Use any mild car cleaner or a cleaner like Simple Green. (Use the latter full strength) Apply the soapy water or cleaner to the exterior with a sponge or rag. Where dirt has built up, use a soft bristled brush. On hard-to-reach areas, an old toothbrush will get where you hand can't. Let the cleaning solution sit for three to five minutes and then rinse it off with fresh water. Follow with a light car polish for the painted parts, spread on with a terry cloth or other rag. Apply a chrome polish such as Simichrome Polish on chrome and aluminum. Wipe the polish off. There's no need for buffing.
To clean the seat and protect it from the elements, spray on a cleaner such as Armor All and then wipe it off. If your seat has a manufacturer's logo on it, don't use degreasing soap products (car wash soap) at full strength, because they will in time remove or mess up the logo.
To clean the windshield, use either a glass cleaner or Simple Green again.
Here are some special considerations for cleaning snowmobiles:
- If your engine is incredibly dirty and greasy, spray it with a degreaser, such as Simple Green. This method is not recommended for the clutch. Wait until the cleaner starts to break up the grease before you remove it.
- To clean exhaust residue from the belly pan, use a combustion chamber cleaner such as Yamaha Combustion Chamber Cleaner. Spray it on the sides of the belly pan and wipe it off quickly. It shouldn't be left sitting, so do one side at a time. You can also try using a degreaser to remove the residue, but you may have to scrub a little harder. If you use the combustion
- chamber cleaner, do this cleaning before your overall snowmobilewash, because the cleaner will need to be washed off with soap and water. If you use a degreaser, do the general cleaning first to remove some of the grease and dirt before specifically tackling the engine and belly pan.
- Use a plastic cleaner for windshields, as you would on a motorbike helmet. Apply and wipe until the windshield comes clean.
- To protect against corrosion, apply silicone spray and multi-purpose grease to all metal parts. For suspension pivot shaft lubrication, use a greaser formulated for cold temperatures. A special low-temperature grease such as Amsoil Heavy Duty Synthetic Grease should be sprayed on the steering and suspension pivot joihesnts, following your user's manual directions. These lubricants are available from snowmobile dealers.
- After each use, wash your snowmobile and wipe it dry to prevent a buildup of dirt. Keep it covered when not in use to prevent fading and corrosion.
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