Tonneau Cover..

[rddmxmeth10]

Anyone have any suggestions on how to clean/protect/maintain these? Everytime I clean it, it has streaks of dirt no matter what I use to clean it. I am looking for something to protect it and maintain it to keep it looking new all the time. It is a Truxedo Roll up Tonneau cover on a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy duty with an 8ft bed. Suggestions?? Feed back please

[JonMiles]

Clean with a boars hair brush and apc+...protect with UTTG. Works every time.

[Mike Phillips]

I would consider using 303 aerospace protectant for a dressing. Used correctly it leaves a dry finish.

I outline all the specifics about vinyl and 303 in this article. Even though it's an article about restoring an antique vinyl top all the information is accurate for new cars, trucks, suvs...


From my article list (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/23722-articles-mike-phillips.html)...


Vinyl Top Care and Maintenance

How To Restore and Protect a Vinyl Top using 303 Products (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/31874-how-restore-protect-vinyl-top-using-303-products.html)


Using a clean, soft dry microfiber towel, remove any excess product, fold to a dry side and wipe the top till it's dry to the touch.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1009/CutlassVinylTopRestore16.jpg



:xyxthumbs:

[Mike Phillips]

Clean with a boars hair brush and apc+...protect with UTTG. Works every time.


This would also be a good option, be careful about using APC+ at too strong of a dilution as vinyl has a protective coating from the vinyl manufacturer and what you're actually wanting and trying to do by doing "maintenance" is protect this coating so the plasticizer oils cannot escape causing the vinyl to dry and crack.

I cover that here too...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M31Mmetnioc]303 Aerospace Protectant on Autogeek's What's in the Garage? TV Show - YouTube[/video]


Clean carefully, then find a product you like and use it often...



:)

[rddmxmeth10]

Jon, I was thinking of going that route, but like Mike said, I was afraid of not diluting it enough and having it end up ruining the cover. I just placed an order for the poorboys line, I will wait until next week to get the 303. Thanks for the replies! Everyone else can still feel free to chime in with there opinions!

[S2K]

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

This is great stuff and won't run in the rain like 303 will.

[rddmxmeth10]

Ooohh...S2K has opened my eyes to something else...anyone else use the Wolfsteins?? Or Mike, have you?

[Nick McKees37]

You also might find this helpful....

How To: Properly Clean & Protect a Tonneau Cover (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/36733-how-properly-clean-protect-tonneau-cover.html)

[Mike Phillips]

Ooohh...S2K has opened my eyes to something else...anyone else use the Wolfsteins?? Or Mike, have you?



Wolfsteins makes great vinyl protectants too and I personally know and like Rick Goldstein the owner. I don't think I've written an article on his products but I have used them and like them very much. Over two years ago I treated my truck's Bikini Top with his fabric protectant and it's just now showing signs that I need to re-coat it.


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiUjQKZaLrI]Raggtopp Canvas Top Cleaner and Protectant on Autogeek's What's in the Garage? TV Show - YouTube[/video]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWdhFOCYc5I]Cleaning and Protecting Leather Car Seats - Autogeek's What's in the Garage? TV Show - YouTube[/video]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4Q996A-Pig&hd=1]Mike Phillips demonstrates how to properly protect your canvas or vinyl convertible top. - YouTube[/video]


:)

[Mike Phillips]

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

This is great stuff and won't run in the rain like 303 will.


If applied correctly, that is applied, worked in and the wiped dry, there's nothing left on the surface to run in the rain.


Most people are use to applying a Armor-All type product where you apply multiple coats and because the product doesn't dry it builds-up on the surface and when it rains it mixes with the water and runs off leaving streaks...


:)

[poweraid]

I use optimum tire gel 1:1 on my soft cover . beads like a mad dog . this opti tire gel given the name is not just for tires, can be applied to all exterior trim also .

[Zedhead07]

My Jeep has a Bestop duster tonneau and a safari top. Think they are sailcloth vinyl. Heavier engrained pattern than the typical truck tonneau's. Thinking they might be similar to Mikes bikini top for his truck. I'm having a tough time getting dried up mud out of the grain of the top. Will these two products work?

[Mike Phillips]

Thinking they might be similar to Mikes bikini top for his truck.


The materila used for my bikini top was Sunbrella I think...

RaggTopp Fabric Protectant Review - Waterproofing & Waterbeadingand and Good Looks Too! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/21706-raggtopp-fabric-protectant-review-waterproofing-waterbeading.html)





I'm having a tough time getting dried up mud out of the grain of the top. Will these two products work?




That's tough one because if you scrub to aggressively or with a coarse brush you can scratch the appearance of the top and wear off the factory coating.

Here's a brush that offers good cleaning ability while still being gentle to most surfaces...


Natural Horse Hair Interior Upholstery Brush (http://www.autogeek.net/natural-horse-hair-interior-upholstery-brush.html)


That and lots of water to really soak into the mud residue and a good but safe soap...


The weave or grain design looks cool but sometimes it can be very difficult to clean 100%


:)

[Dr Oldz]

I have been personally cleaning them with OPC and a semi-soft brush and rinsing well. For protection, my choices are either UTTG or Wolfs Chemicals nano trim sealant. I am sure Wolfgang's ETS will work great. I have been seeing 4-6 months of protection/beading with UTTG and just requires shampoo to clean when doing a standard wash. Makes life very simple!

[SeaJay's]

Clean with a boars hair brush and apc+...protect with UTTG. Works every time.

I agree! I personally use opc to clean but use UTTG to protect.