Turtle Wax Car Wash – A clean up job should always start with a thorough washing. Automotive car washes are specifically designed to wash away dirt, grit, and grime without harming painted or polished surfaces. Remember to cover the air box intake. You don't want water in your air box or carbs. I used a simple sponge and the wash to reach into the belly pan and rear suspension. Do not use dishwashing soap or solution. Since it's designed to strip grease, it will strip off waxes and other protectants. Cost: $14.95 per 128 oz. bottle.

Meguiar’s Deep Crystal System – There are so many brands and waxes to choose from that it’s almost overwhelming, but you need to lay down a barrier of wax or sealant to protect your hood and all painted exterior parts from salt, dirt, and other harmful elements. If the clear coat is breached, there’s no easy way to fix it. I take a somewhat old school approach to setting up that protective barrier, using Meguiar’s three-step Deep Crystal system. With a snowmobile, the surface area to wax is so small; it doesn’t take much time to do it. You need to choose between a decent Carnauba wax or paint sealant. Carnauba brings out the deepest most brilliant shine on a sled, but paint sealants are tougher and last longer and provide a great barrier against salt and grime. While some opt to choose one over the other, you don’t have to. You can lay down a base of Carnauba and then put a sealant on top. Meguiar’s has long been a recognized leader in car products and it doesn’t cost you an arm and leg to buy these waxes. The Deep Crystal system provides an immaculate cleaning, shine, and protection of painted and plastic surfaces. This three-step wax system includes Step 1 Paint Cleaner application and removal, which removes light blemishes and prepares the surface for waxing. Step 2 Polish creates a high-gloss finish prior to waxing. Step 3 is the application of high-quality Carnauba wax providing a protective barrier between the paint and outside world. I used a microfiber applicator and then removed the wax with a cotton baby cloth. Meguiar’s Deep Crystal System – Cost: $4.95 per bottle.

Extreme Green Degreaser – Remember, a greasy or dirty engine will run hotter and is less efficient. Therefore, a clean engine rewards the rider with improved performance. It’s important to select a degreaser that’s compatible for sleds. Some degreasers are only intended for use on metal surfaces, and these will attack paint, plastic, rubber and other materials. Non-toxic and biodegradable Extreme Green Cleaner from Stearns Corporation was easy to spray into the engine bay and onto runner boards. It cut through the grease and allowed me to easily wipe off the crud. Best of all, this chemical won’t harm carb boots, air boxes and ignition components among other non-metal items.  Cost: $2.59

White Lithium Spray Grease – You need to protect sensitive, exposed metal components, such as tie rods, sway bar ends, bolts, and suspension pivot points. Many have used WD40 to coat these components, but WD40 quickly evaporates and leaves these components susceptible to rust. This low-temp lithium spray is made of the same material found in most low-temp greases. It cocoons the component so air doesn’t penetrate it, and as a result, it doesn’t rust. I sprayed it on the vital front and rear suspension parts. It provides a great lubricant and it can be easily removed with WD40 or other petroleum lubricants. Cost: $3.99

Armor All Protectant – Now I am not breaking new ground here. This product has been on the market for over 25 years, but it still provides a deep rich shine and protection for rubber, vinyl, and plastic parts, such as the belly pan, dash, skis, seat cowling, side covers, taillight housing, and more. It renews the plastic and gives it a like-new appearance. Do not apply it to the seat. Most riders know this, so if you do bear with me, Armor All Protectant will make your seat super slippery, and it will be difficult to maintain control. Cost: $7.99

Armor All Car Cleaner – This is great for cleaning rubber, vinyl, plastic or almost any surfaces on a sled, especially the dash and speedo and tach dials. It quickly absorbs grease and exhaust residue. I applied this to the seat because it is a safe cleaner and not a protectant. Therefore, it won’t turn the seat into an ice rink. Cost: $4.29

3M Marine Aluminum Restorer and Polish – You may be thinking that there are a number of automotive aluminum cleaners that work fine. I’ve used a number of these products but have never been satisfied with the results. A snowmobile’s operating environment more closely resembles a boat than a car and that’s why this is an appropriate product. The 3M product provided a deep shine and protection but it is more expensive than most automotive products. I worked the polish into the tunnel and runner boards using a 5-inch rubber drill disc with a terry cloth cover and the results were good. Cost: $23.95

Eagle One Wax as U-Dry Spray Wax – Set up a good base coat of wax with the Deep Crystal System or some other wax or sealant. Once you’ve established that solid base coat, a spray-on Carnauba wax like this maintains that protection and reduces clean up time.  Cost: $7.49

Novus Plastic Polish No.2 – This quickly freshens up windshields with minor scratches. Apply with a clean damp cloth in a circular motion and wipe off. It renews the windshield and provides better visibility, which is always a good thing. Cost: $5.99