Cleaning-up the Bed Cover of your Truck the Proper Way
November 7th, 2011
Tonneau covers serve the objective of protecting your truck bed from extreme weather conditions like hail, snow, rain, and extreme heat brought about by the sun’s rays. Therefore, you also have to take good care of the tonneau cover for it to last a long time. Maintenance and proper care of your tonneau cover starts with regular cleaning, checkups for signs of wear and tear and other minor damages like scratches.
Hard tonneau covers are usually made of fiberglass or aluminum while soft tonneau covers like extang are usually made of flexible materials like synthetic leather or vinyl. The different types of material require different ways of cleaning; this is to avoid damaging the surface of the accessory. But, there is one thing to remember that is common for both hard and soft tonneau covers and this is to never use an abrasive scrub or sponge when washing and cleaning the cover.
If you want to make sure of the proper cleaning tips for your truck cover, check the manufacturer’s manual and guide for the product. Before starting, the bed covers for trucks must first be detached from the back of your truck for efficient cleaning. To start, rinse first with running water to remove debris that may have settle on top of the cover or that might be caught in the hinges and locks. Check the bolts and nuts if there might be oxidation or rusting. Use an old tooth brush to clean the hinges and locks to reach those corners where there might be trapped debris.
After the initial rinsing, you may now start washing the cover using a mild detergent soap. It is recommended that you use liquid detergent instead of powder. The reason for this is that powder detergent may leave soapsuds if not properly rinsed. Don’t directly pour the liquid detergent on the cover but instead, dilute it first with tap water. This is to prevent strong and harsh chemicals in the detergent from drying out the surface of the cover and damaging its sheen.
Start washing using a soft sponge and rinse well with running water. Dry the cover by letting it air dry or by wiping it with a soft, dry cloth. If you noticed rusting on some of the hinges or bolts, you may apply grease or silicon spray. You may also apply a special type of wax specifically for protecting vinyl, leather or aluminum. Soft covers like extang tonneau covers can be applied with this wax for added protection.
