As a truck owner, keeping your vinyl tonneau cover looking its best is important. But you also don’t want to accidentally damage it while cleaning. So a common question truck owners have is: will cleaning chemicals damage my vinyl tonneau cover?
What Are The Most Common Chemicals Used For Cleaning Tonneau Covers?
There are a variety of chemicals that may be used to clean tonneau covers. Here are some of the most common:
General Purpose Cleaners
- Dish soap
- All-purpose cleaners like Simple Green or Mr. Clean
- Automotive soap or car wash solutions
These are designed to clean many different surfaces, but they may be too harsh for delicate vinyl tonneau covers. The chemicals and fragrances in them could cause damage over time.
Vinyl/Plastic Cleaners
- Armor All Vinyl Wipes
- Meguiar’s Vinyl Protectant
- 303 Aerospace Protectant
These are formulated specifically for vinyl, rubber, plastic and similar materials. They contain mild detergents to lift dirt along with ingredients to condition and protect the vinyl surface. This makes them a safer choice for tonneau covers.
Tonneau Cover Cleaners
- Wolf’s Chemicals Tonneau Mate
- Lucas Slick Mist Interior Detailer
- Griot’s Garage Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner
Products marketed specifically as tonneau cover cleaners are optimized for use on vinyl truck bed covers. They contain cleaners and protectants intended to clean vinyl safely while retaining the tonneau’s finish.
How Can Cleaning Chemicals Potentially Damage Tonneau Covers?
Using the wrong type of cleaning product on your vinyl tonneau puts it at risk in several ways:
Harsh Chemicals Can Dry Out The Vinyl
General cleaners often contain strong solvents, acids or alkalis that will strip oils from the tonneau cover’s vinyl surface. This causes it to dry out, crack and become brittle over time.
Ingredients May React With The Vinyl
Chemicals like ammonia, bleach or alcohol can negatively react with the polymers in vinyl tonneau covers. This can make the surface tacky or cause swelling and warping.
Abrasives Can Scratch The Surface
Some heavy duty cleaners contain gritty abrasives or dissolve dirt less effectively than vinyl-safe options. Scrubbing with them can scratch and damage the tonneau’s finish.
UV Protectants May Be Stripped Away
Vinyl surfaces need UV-resistant coatings to protect from sun damage. Using the wrong cleaners can strip away these protectants, reducing the cover’s lifespan.
So if you want your tonneau cover to have a long life, it’s important to avoid products with any chemicals that could harm vinyl.
How Should You Properly Clean Your Vinyl Tonneau Cover?
Here are some tips for safely cleaning your vinyl tonneau cover without risking damage:
Use Specialized Vinyl Or Tonneau Cleaners
As mentioned earlier, cleaners specifically designed for vinyl or tonneau covers are the safest choice. They’re gentle on vinyl yet still lift dirt effectively.
Spot Clean With Mild Soap And Water
For light cleaning, a mild soap diluted in warm water works well. Avoid dish soaps containing harsh degreasers.
Rinse Thoroughly
Regardless of cleaning solution, always rinse it thoroughly with clean water to prevent chemical residue from being left behind.
Use Non-Abrasive Tools
Clean your tonneau cover using microfiber cloths, sponges or soft-bristle brushes. Avoid stiff brushes or anything that could scuff.
Work In Sections
Clean just a small area at a time, like 2 x 2 feet. This prevents the vinyl from drying out before you can rinse.
Protect Against UV Rays
After cleaning, apply a vinyl protectant to guard against sun damage. This preserves the tonneau’s appearance.
By following these simple guidelines, you can keep your vinyl tonneau cover looking like new without using any damaging chemicals. The right tonneau cleaners and techniques make cleaning easy and safe.
What Are Some of the Best Tonneau Cover Cleaning Products?
If you want to safely clean your vinyl tonneau cover, using a specialized vinyl or tonneau cleaner is highly recommended. But with so many options out there, which are the best tonneau cover cleaners? Here are some top picks:
Meguiar’s Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner
- Gentle foam formula cleans effectively
- Contains UV blockers to protect vinyl
- Leaves a non-greasy, satin finish
- Protects against sun damage
Meguiar’s cleaner is a popular choice for tonneau covers thanks to its balancing cleaning ability and vinyl protection.
303 Aerospace Protectant
- Made specifically for vinyl, rubber, and plastic
- Repels dust and stains after application
- Contains UV inhibitors
- Prevents fading, cracking, and drying out
With excellent UV protection and water resistance, 303 Aerospace Protectant is one of the best for keeping tonneau covers looking new.
Wolf’s Chemicals Tonneau Mate
- Concentrated formula customized for tonneaus
- Lifts dirt without damaging vinyl
- Leaves behind a UV blocking protectant
- Prevents mildew and fading
This specialty cleaner was designed just for tonneau covers. The Wolf’s Chemicals name is well recognized among truck owners as well.
Lucas Slick Mist Interior Detailer
- Light cleaning and UV protection in one
- Spray-on convenience for quick jobs
- Repels dust and contains conditioners
- Safe for vinyl, rubber, plastic, and leather
Slick Mist makes light tonneau cover cleaning easy thanks to its spray application.
How Can I Avoid Having to Frequently Clean My Tonneau Cover?
While proper cleaning is important for tonneau covers, you also want to avoid having to clean your cover too often. Here are some tips to help your tonneau cover stay cleaner longer:
Park in The Shade
UV rays from the sun can accelerate dirt buildup on your tonneau’s surface. Park your truck in shaded areas whenever possible to minimize sun exposure and cleaning needs.
Remove Debris Promptly
Don’t allow leaves, branches or other debris to sit on your tonneau cover for extended periods. Remove promptly before it gets ground in.
Hoses Off First
Rinse your cover with water after trips before wiping debris around while dry cleaning. This prevents scratching.
Use High Pressure If Needed
For stubborn dirt, using a power washer on a low pressure setting can be effective if done properly. Keep the nozzle at least 12 inches away.
Apply Protectant Frequently
Using a vinyl protectant like 303 Aerospace regularly helps repel dust and dirt, reducing cleaning frequency.
Cover When Not In Use
Use a tire cover or tarp to shield your tonneau when your truck will be sitting unused for a while. This keeps it cleaner between washes.
Inspect Seal Condition
Make sure the cover’s seals are intact so dirt and moisture don’t get inside to soils the underside. Replace seals if damaged.
Following these tips will minimize dirt buildup on your tonneau cover, allowing you to clean it less often. But when you do clean it, remember to use only vinyl-safe cleaners.
