Are you in need of cleaning the tonneau for your pickup truck but you have no specific ideas of how to do it? Perhaps this is your first pickup truck, or maybe you just have never learned how to clean a tonneau cover, and want to learn more about it now.
Whichever the case, it can never hurt to acquire a refresher and learn how to clean this material. This article shall assist you in this matter and with no more ado, below is a full guide on how to get that fresh look.
Steps for tonneau cleaning
Here is the step by step guide explained in simple terms.
Step 1: Getting started
Unwrap or unlock the material from your truck. Look for a shady area like in a park, under some trees, or inside your garage since it will be the best location for the washing process.
Step 2: Water-praying
The next step is water-spraying. You can do this by using pressurized water from a tap since it will help in getting rid of most dirt.
Step 4: Make a solution for the washing process
This solution is easy to create. Just pour a half cup of the detergent in any bucket and fill it up the rest with warm water.
If you, however, have soft truck bed covers (which are also called vinyl tonneaus because they are of vinyl and other materials that are soft), you can use a special care cleaner solution.
Step 5: Brushing
Then, by using a brush, begin to spread the solution around the cover. Start cleaning the cover from the middle going outward to the edges.
Do not apply much pressure on the cover and gently move the scrub brush from side to side as you clean. When the stains are stubborn, what you need to do is soak the scrub for five minutes and then continue cleaning.
Step 6: Rinsing and drying
Use dirt-free water for the rinsing step. Let the cover dry before you put it back on your pickup.
Side note
While following the above steps, be sure to consult the cover’s manual. Adhere to the manual’s instructions to avoid causing any damage. Do not assume that the washing process is straightforward since different tonneau models have varying washing needs.
Reasons to clean a tonneau cover
There are a couple of reasons why cleaning is essential as indicated in the following points.
- It is new, and you have just unwrapped it
- You want to go out for a drive
- It is part of the maintenance routine
https://www.instagram.com/p/BklBpHml99t/
Factors to consider when cleaning a tonneau
One of the reasons for regular cleaning is to maintain the truck back material. The process helps in prolonging the use of the canvas. As such, here are the main things you need to take into account.
Soap
As already noted above, you need to pay attention to the type of soap or detergent you use for washing. Harsh or strong detergents are likely to damage the tonneau. You can use a certified cleaner instead of regular detergent.
Cleaning pad
Ensure that you only use a sponge or soft cotton cloth for the cleaning to avoid scratching the surface of the tonneau. Any scratch can easily lead to pores that would later cause leakages. However, is a useful guide to fix such leakages.
Conclusion
You will be good to go once you have read the above guide on how to clean a tonneau cover and follow it to the latter. It is a process that you can perform yourself unless the manual instructs you otherwise. In some rare instances, you might opt for professional cleaners.