How to waterproof a vinyl tonneau cover!

[Mike Phillips]

How to waterproof a vinyl tonneau cover! (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews-by-mike-phillips/127884-how-waterproof-vinyl-tonneau-cover.html)



Originally I titled this thread,

WOW! Review: CarPro Cquartz Leather Coating on Vinyl Tonneau Cover.



But after seeing the water beading pictures PJ sent me I thought this would be better.

How to waterproof a vinyl tonneau cover

The below vinyl tonneau cover looks very water proof to me!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_11c.JPG




CarPro Cquartz Leather Coating

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_05.JPG





What is it?
A semi-permanent protective barrier on leather and vinyl surfaces.


What does it do?

Forms a flexible shell of protection on top of the surface to create a hydrophobic and UV resistant barrier of protection.


When do I use it?

Use on brand new cars while the leather is in pristine condition or after first cleaning the surface on older vehicles.


Why should I use it?

To preserve the factory appearance while protecting the surface.



How to waterproof a vinyl tonneau cover?

While my brother-in-law's truck was here he asked,

What can we put on the tonneau cover that will protect it without running off when it rains?


What he was asking for is a water-insoluble coating. So I thought about it for few minutes and CarPro Cquartz Leather Coating came to mind. I've never used this product on the outside of a car or on vinyl for that matter but the product info states it can be used on vinyl. So I figured we'll give it a try. Actually, I washed the truck and also the vinyl so I'll let him install the coating.



Here's PJ applying the CarPro Cquartz Leather Coating by working it over the surface using a simple foam applicator pad.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_01.JPG




If you look down the middle of the tonneau cover you can see the before and after difference.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_02.JPG

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_03.JPG



Here's the final results after two installations of the coating

The tonneau cover has a rich natural sheen with a uniform appearance. It's also dry to the touch, not oily or tacky.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_04.JPG



Review

Product application was super easy. For large surfaces like this I think a simple foam applicator pad makes the job faster and easier. We installed this on a Sunday and since then it's been a few weeks. The pictures showing the water beading up is impressive. It also means the coating is sealing or waterproofing the vinyl and NOT running or streaking-off down the side of the truck bed.

Because this truck is parked outside 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, continually exposed to massive rain storms plus intense sunshine and heat, my guess is nothing is going to hold up for very long. So I'll continue to check with my PJ to see how the CarPro Cquartz Leather Coating is holding up. It's my recommendation to PJ that is if he's happy with the performance after this one-time application - then instead of WAITING for the protection to wear-off - instead, re-apply every other month or so and MAINTAIN the waterproofing coating. This will not only seal the surface and waterproof the vinyl AND keep it looking great.

A little bit of the coating went a LONG way and it was fast and easy to install or apply.

Applying 2 applications over this HUGE area - used only a little bit of product. This bottle was brand new.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_07.JPG


Here I've placed a yellow line across from the product level in the bottle to show you just how little was used.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_07c.JPG


At $60.00 for the 30ml bottle, it looks to me that you could easily get 5-6 applications. So if you treated the tonneau cover every other month that would be $60.00 to not only protect your investment in the optional tonneau cover but you'll keep it looking brand spanking new. Not only is this nice for you but it also protects the trade-in value into the future. You can probably re-coat even less often if you're lazy or park your truck under cover at least at some point during each day. Of course, your mileage will vary.




On Autogeek.com


CarPro Cquartz Leather Coating (https://www.autogeek.net/cquartz-leather-coating.html)

Pinnacle Foam Wax Applicators - 6 pack (https://www.autogeek.net/paof6pifowax.html)



http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_06.JPG


:)

[Mike Phillips]

More....


Here's my technique tip for using simple foam applicator (the round wax foam applicators), when applying any type or brand of coating.


Draw some kind of mark on the outer portion on one side of the applicator pad.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_08.JPG



This tells you where you're going to place your fingers when your hold the applicator.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_09.JPG



Being stingy with your coating

As I hold the applicator and turn it over, the place I'm pointing with my other finger is the opposite side of where I made the half-moon mark. This is where my fingers are. This is where I'll be applying the light pressure as I use the applicator pad to spread the product over the surface. When you start out and as you add more coating to the applicator - you always apply the product to the opposite side of the marking you made. This way you conserve your precious coating by not having a clue as to where to apply coating as you work around the tonneau cover or whatever it is you're coating.

Make sense?

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_10.JPG



Hope that helps...


:)

[Mike Phillips]

:updated:


Over the weekend it rained. It's been ONE WEEK since we applied the CarPro Cquartz Leather Coating onto the Truck Tonneau Cover.

PJ took a couple of pictures to show the WATER BEADING on the tonneau cover.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_11.JPG



Nice!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_11c.JPG



This picture looks like it was taken at night time with a flash on - and it shows amazing water beading on a vinyl surface.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/4157/CarPro_Leather_12.JPG



And he says - NO RUN OFF!

As in the CarPro Cquartz Leather Coating isn't washing off and running down the side of the truck bed like some vinyl dressings do.



One thing I would point out - just like installing a coating on car paint - if you want to install the CarPro Cquartz Leather Coating onto a vinyl tonneau cover, be it on a truck, a vinyl top on a car or Jeep, the vinyl needs to be surgically clean.

If you have already applied a vinyl dressing - then maybe wash the vinyl surface really well and let it go a week or two so any previously applied dressing can leach out. You might even consider washing the vinyl surface a few times and let some time go by (like a week or two), so sunshine and rain plus you washing the vinyl surface will act to more thoroughly remove any previously applied vinyl dressing.

The BIG PICTURE being this product will likely bond better if it has a clean surface to bond to.


If this product used in this manner intrigues you - then the next time you buy a car, truck or suv that has a vinyl top or tonneau or any vinyl on the outside of the vehicle, RIGHT THEN AN NOW - wash and install the coating. Do this while it's brand new and before applying any type of dressing. This will also act to seal the vinyl surface, which is what you want for brand new vinyl.



:xyxthumbs:

[PA DETAILER]

Interesting and noted. I use the Wolfsteins Tonneau cover kit. Cleaner and protectant. I have had perfect results with the kit. And get similar water beading on the cover.

Wolfsteins Tonneau Cover Care Kit, Wolfsteins Raggtopp Tonneau Cleaner, RaggTopp Tonneau Protectant, vinyl truck bed cover, pickup truck bed cover, (https://www.autogeek.net/wotocaco.html)

[Mike Phillips]

Interesting and noted.

I use the Wolfsteins Tonneau cover kit. Cleaner and protectant. I have had perfect results with the kit. And get similar water beading on the cover.

Wolfsteins Tonneau Cover Care Kit, Wolfsteins RaggTopp Tonneau Cleaner, RaggTopp Tonneau Protectant, vinyl truck bed cover, pickup truck bed cover, (https://www.autogeek.net/wotocaco.html)





Thanks for sharing. I've used the RaggTopp products for years, but not the new Wolfsteins Tonneau Cover products.

Next time I have a tonneau cover to clean and protect I'll test out these new products.


:dblthumb2:

[The Guz]

Nice write up Mike. Cquartz Leather is a great product. It should last him a fairly long time as he is not abrading the surface like getting in and out of a leather seat. But hard to predict mother nature on how long things last. Super easy to reapply down the road as well.

[Mike Phillips]

Nice write up Mike. Cquartz Leather is a great product. It should last him a fairly long time as he is not abrading the surface like getting in and out of a leather seat. But hard to predict mother nature on how long things last. Super easy to reapply down the road as well.




I agree about longevity but time will tell. PJ does wash "carefully".

I shared this on DW and one of their members said DLUX would have been a better choice and I wouldn't argue with him to say the CarPro CQuartz Leather can hold it's own against CarPro DLUX but from his insight I will be watching and gauging just how long this first two coats last.

And - it RAINS A LOT here in Florida plus super intense sunshine all the time.

It's going to be a good test.

And like you say - re-application is fast and easy.

So I've set the time - Installation was Sunday, October 25th - lets see how she holds up.



:)