Soft vinyl tonneau covers provide many advantages for truck owners who want to protect their truck beds and cargo from the elements. Made of flexible, rugged vinyl, these covers easily roll up or fold to allow complete access to the bed when needed.
Unfortunately, soft vinyl covers can sometimes develop puckers or wrinkles in the material, which not only looks bad but can let in water. What causes this dreaded truck bed cover puckering, and how can it be prevented?
What Are Some Common Causes of Puckering on Soft Vinyl Tonneau Covers?
Soft vinyl tonneau covers are susceptible to damage from various causes, which can lead to the material puckering. Here are some of the most common culprits for puckering truck bed covers:
Improper Installation
One of the main causes of puckering on soft vinyl covers is improper initial installation. These covers must be stretched tight across the bed rails and tailgate to maintain their smooth shape. If the cover is not installed taut enough, it can develop wrinkles and loose areas that pucker over time.
During installation, be sure to pull the cover as tight as possible before clamping it down. Check that there are no kinks, wrinkles, or loose spots across the entire cover before securing it. Getting a consistently snug fit is key to preventing puckering down the road.
Temperature Changes
The flexible vinyl material of soft tonneau covers expands and contracts with temperature changes. On hot days, the cover stretches out some as the vinyl gets warm and pliable. In colder weather, it shrinks back down and can develop a wrinkled texture.
If the cover was not installed tightly enough initially, these temperature fluctuations allow the material to move around and pucker more easily. Even a cover that was secured well can eventually loosen up after repeated expansions and contractions from temperature cycles.
Improper Tensioning During Use
Soft tonneau covers usually attach to the truck bed with some type of clamping system along the sides and tailgate. These clamps must be properly tensioned each time after retracting or unrolling the cover for bed access.
If the clamps are left loose, the cover will not be pulled taut as it should be. The vinyl will flap and flex in the wind, allowing wrinkles and puckers to form. Always be sure to tighten the cover down fully when re-securing it.
Putting Items on the Cover
Soft vinyl tonneau covers are designed to shield the truck bed itself. They are not made to support any additional loads or items placed on top of them. The weight of objects left sitting on the cover can cause deformations, stretching, and puckering of the vinyl material.
Avoid using the tonneau cover as an exterior cargo shelf. Remove any items before rolling or retracting the cover to prevent creases and wrinkles from developing. The cover should only have to support its own slight weight.
Improper Cleaning and Care
Like any vehicle surface, tonneau covers need proper maintenance to stay looking their best. But aggressive scrubbing and use of the wrong cleaners can damage soft vinyl covers over time.
Scrubbing too hard in certain spots can lead to localized weakening and stretching of the vinyl. Using cleaners containing alcohol, ammonia, or bleach can cause the fabric to become brittle and cracked.
Always use a dedicated vinyl cleaner and protectant to keep tonneau covers looking great. Follow the product directions to avoid harming the vinyl. Gentle overall cleaning is safest for the cover.
Age and Use
Even with the best installation, care, and handling, soft vinyl tonneau covers will show some signs of aging after years of use. The vinyl fabric slowly loses elasticity as it degrades from sun exposure and other environmental factors.
As the material loses its stretchiness, it is less able to bounce back from expansions and contractions. Puckering gradually becomes more likely with an older cover.
Proper maintenance and care will maximize the life of any soft vinyl cover. But puckering will eventually occur to some degree due to the natural breakdown of the vinyl over time.
How Can Puckering Be Prevented or Minimized?
While some puckering may be inevitable after many years of use, there are things truck owners can do to minimize wrinkling and extend the good looks of a soft vinyl tonneau cover:
Install Correctly From the Start
Proper initial installation is the best way to prevent premature puckering. Be sure to:
- Read and follow all installation directions precisely
- Pull the cover as tight and smooth as possible before clamping
- Use enough clamps to distribute tension evenly
- Check for any loose spots before calling installation complete
Taking the time to install the cover right from day one will help avoid puckers down the road.
Inspect and Tighten Frequently
Make it a habit to inspect the full perimeter of the cover any time you operate it. Look for loose areas or spots that seem to be stretching or sagging more than others. Give each clamp a test tug to check tension.
Be diligent about tightening the cover fully with each use. Don’t rely on the memory of where you tightened clamps last time. Visually confirm proper tautness each time.
Allow for Expansion and Contraction
Remember that vinyl cover materials expand and contract a surprising amount as temperatures change. Don’t over-tighten the cover on hot days or it may pucker when cooler weather shrinks it.
Conversely, really work at getting the cover as tight as possible on cold days to account for expansion as things warm up. Anticipating the material movement will help prevent puckers.
Avoid Putting Loads On the Cover
Resist the temptation to toss items on the tonneau cover as a cargo shelf. The vinyl is designed to handle environmental factors and its own weight – nothing more.
Even light objects can create concentrated stresses that distort the cover over time. Remove everything from the cover before rolling it up or retracting it.
Use Proper Cleaning Methods
Clean vinyl tonneau covers at least monthly, using a high-quality vinyl protectant/cleaner. Follow label directions to let the cleaner do the work – no hard scrubbing required.
Avoid using any cleaners that can dry out or damage vinyl. Rinse the cover thoroughly after cleaning.
Gentle overall cleaning is the safest approach. Scrubbing aggressively in one area can weaken the material.
Know When Replacement is Needed
Despite your best efforts, soft vinyl covers will eventually wear out after years of exposure to sun, pollution, road grime, and daily use. The vinyl loses its elasticity and becomes prone to rips and puckers.
If your cover seems loose or develops puckers that won’t tighten out, it may be time for replacement. Catching problems early can allow you to replace the cover before water leakage occurs.
How Can Existing Puckers Be Fixed or Minimized?
If puckers or wrinkles have already developed on your soft vinyl tonneau cover, all is not lost. Here are some tips for improving the appearance of a puckered cover:
Heat Gun
For small puckered areas, you can try gently warming the vinyl with a heat gun. This softens and makes the material pliable so you can smooth out wrinkles by hand as it cools. Be careful not to overheat any one spot.
Tighten the Clamps
Go over all the cover clamps, testing and retightening any that have gotten loose. This may flatten some puckers by pulling the fabric tighter in localized areas.
Adjust the Tension
If you notice the cover puckering more in certain spots, try readjusting the clamp positions to even out the tension. Relocate clamps from pucker-prone areas to where the cover stays tighter.
Wash and Recondition
Use a vinyl reconditioning product to gently clean the cover and restore suppleness. This can allow wrinkles to relax out when you re-tighten the cover after washing. Avoid harsh scrubbing.
Live with Minor Puckers
Depending on the age and condition of the cover, you may just need to accept small puckers if retightening and reconditioning does not fix them. As long as water cannot infiltrate, minor wrinkles are an aesthetic issue.
Full Replacement
If the cover has extensive puckering or deterioration, it likely needs complete replacement at this point. Harsh environmental factors degrade vinyl over time. Major puckering signals the cover has reached the end of its service life.
With proper care and precautions, you can minimize puckering and extend the life of a soft vinyl tonneau cover. But material breakdown eventually takes its toll. When puckers become unfixable, replacing the cover is the only option.
In Conclusion
Puckering and wrinkling on soft vinyl tonneau covers detracts from their sleek, finished look. But there are ways truck owners can reduce the chances of dealing with annoying cover puckers:
- Install covers with proper technique to get an optimally tight fit
- Use enough clamps to distribute tension evenly across the cover
- Tighten clamps fully every time the cover is re-secured
- Adjust for temperature expansion and contraction of the vinyl
- Avoid over-scrubbing during cleaning
- Use only vinyl-approved cleaners and protectants
- Never place any items or loads on the cover itself
Even with careful handling, puckering will eventually occur as covers age. But following these guidelines can significantly extend the wrinkle-free life of a soft vinyl tonneau cover. With proper installation, care, and maintenance, truck owners can enjoy the benefits of a tight, durable bed cover that keeps cargo protected in style.
