Tonneau covers are a vital part of ensuring we carry our valuables safely. They are very good at protecting the contents of the pickup bed from rain, snow, dust, and wind. Second, they prevent thieves from stealing goods by locking everything down.
Unfortunately, your tonneau covers will wear out over time, no matter how careful you are. Plus, all the dirt, stains, and even bird droppings built up to make it look old.
So the question is - how to make a tonneau cover look new, with cleaning and routine maintenance, to bring it back to its original black look.
Before starting, check out the best truck tonneau covers recommended by YITAMOTOR. Next, let's explore the available ways to refresh your tonneau covers.
How to clean a vinyl tonneau cover?
Tonneau covers are usually made of tough vinyl and secure the cargo to the back of the truck.
Regularly cleaning and sealing vinyl will keep your tonneau covers up-to-date for longer. It's best not to use cheap fillers or silicones. While oil-based and water-based silicones have quick repair properties, they can also accelerate the aging of vinyl tonneau cover coverings, causing them to break down prematurely.
Cleaning a tonneau cover
Cleaning a vinyl tonneau cover is a more involved process than cleaning a hardcover car. You need a soft material and a suitable brush, taking care not to apply too much pressure when cleaning. So, to clean a tonneau cover, get the following:
Material
- wheel brush
- Solutions for fabrics
- water pipe
- Boar Hair Top Brush
- Microfiber cloth for applying protective fluid
- Drying towel (microfiber)
- vinyl cover
- vinyl tonneau cover cleaner
Cleaning steps
1. Ensure your truck is parked in the shade, as the vinyl tonneau cover will swell when exposed to sunlight.
2. Use a garden hose and water to remove surface dirt or debris from the lid.
3. Spray the cleaner on the entire surface.
4. After the vinyl cleaner has soaked through the entire cover, use a boar hair soft-top brush to scrub the whole cover. If there are some hard-to-reach places, use a wheel brush. Don't push too hard; a light scrub is enough.
5. Rinse the lid with a garden hose when you're done.
6. Dry with a microfiber towel.
7. When cool and dry, unfold the tonneau cover.
8. Apply and scrub the vinyl cover with a microfiber cloth.
9. Wait about 5 minutes to make sure it dries entirely naturally.
The vinyl protectant may make the color of the cover itself and the edges look a little different. You can also apply a protectant to these plastic rims if you want a smooth and even color.
How to keep the tonneau cover black?
Exposure to the sun destroys the waterproof properties of the tonneau cover and ages its appearance, fading black and cracking.
Luckily, you can extend the life of your vinyl tonneau cover and get it back to a new black look with our tutorial.
Start by deep cleaning the tonneau cover in the previous step so the moisturizing protectant can penetrate the surface and work. Depending on how dirty it is, you may need to clean it a few times to make sure all the stains are removed. To do this, apply the gel directly to the microfiber cloth and place it in the tonneau cover, fully covering the textured surface. Then apply vinyl and plastic rejuvenator to restore your tonneau cover to its original deep black gloss.
Tonneau cover protection
Maintain your truck tonneau cover to make sure it is like new.
Here are some tips for everyday tonneau cover protection:
- Check the cover regularly and remove any dirt or stains on it.
- Carry less than the truckload to extend the life of the tonneau cover.
- Be sure to apply a protectant after each cleaning.
- After every drive or two, look carefully for corrosion, chips, looseness, bumps, dents, and scratches.
- Avoid exposing your tonneau cover to the sun, or it will crack the vinyl from heat and UV rays.
- Also, don't leave the tonneau cover in the shade for too long, or you'll have to clean the mold under the quilt very quickly.
After doing all of the above, your tonneau cover should stay glossy black all the time and look as good as new.