Tonneau Covers are generally made from tough vinyl and can be seen covering up ute trays or securing loads on the back of a pickup truck . Unfortunately they are also the first thing on your ute to show signs of wear. The black colour fading from the sun not only ages the look of the cover, it also starts to break down it’s water-proof properties which can lead to fading and cracking.
Luckily, you can extend the life of your soft tonneau cover, and restore the black vinyl if you use the right products.
What to use on your Tonneau cover
Cleaning your cover regularly and sealing the vinyl will keep your tonneau cover looking its best for longer. The best products to use do not use cheap fillers or silicones. While oil and water based silicones can give you a fast restoration, their use actually ages your cover, causing it to break down prematurely.
How to make a Tonneau Cover look like new again
To restore your tonneau covers to it’s original deep black sheen you will have to start with a deep clean then you can look towards restoring the vinyl with AutoSmart Vinyl and Plastic Rejuvenator.
- Move your car out of direct sunlight
Because you don’t want the cleaner drying on the surface, it is best to park your car in the shade when cleaning.
- Clean away the gunk
Stains, mildew and other traffic grime build up over time. It is important that you give your tonneau cover a deep clean first so that the Vinyl Rejuvenator can penetrate the surface and do it’s job. Depending on how dirty it is, you may have to clean it a couple of times to ensure all stains are removed.
Spray your cover with AutoSmart G101 Express Multi Purpose Cleaner. Allow to dwell for a few minutes before agitating with a cleaning brush . - Hose off and dry
Hose off the cleaner and allow to dry.
If you don’t have the time to wait, use our large drying towel to absorb all the excess moisture to get the job done faster - Apply Vinyl and Plastic Rejuvenator
Apply the gel directly onto the microfibre cloth. Work it into the vinyl, ensuring you cover the textured surface completely.
Allow the product to dry then buff with a soft cloth