Tonneau covers need to be cleaned regularly. The best tonneau cover cleaner will be specially formulated to clean and protect a tonneau cover. If you use common cleaners, they are prone to damage, so it's important to pick the right one.
This guide will explain what you need to know when choosing, and also recommend some of the top cleaners.
How to Choose the Right Tonneau Cover Cleaner - What to Consider?
If you are planning to buy the best vinyl tonneau cover protectant, there are many things that you need to consider. When you consider these factors, you will be able to choose the right tonneau cleaning application.
Size and Type of Cover
Tonneau covers are available in different types and sizes. There are a lot of cleaners available in the market. It would be ideal if you made a choice depending on the material of the tonneau covers.
Capacity
The capacity of the tonneau cleaning is the first thing you need to consider. The capacity will determine how long the protectant will last in the garage. If you want a tonneau cover cleaner and protector for more than two vehicles, you can opt for 200 ounces.
For a one-time cleaning job, you can choose an eight-ounce cleaner. Pay attention to the purpose and capacity of the best tonneau cover protectant.
Nozzle
The cleaning application either gets sprayed or applied. It would be best if you choose the mechanism that is comfortable to operate. Always make sure that you are in a well-ventilated place before you start the cleaning process. It will help you get access to fresh air and prevent the build-up of toxic or hazardous gases.
Versatility
The more versatile the cleaning material, the better it is for the tonneau cover care. If you want to do professional cleaning of the covers, you can choose the best tonneau cover cleaning application.
Protectant Material
When choosing protectants for the tonneau, choose those with high rubbing compounds. It is because these compounds help remove grease, dirt, moisture, and dust.
Cleaning solutions with a blend of synthetic polymers increase the strength and durability of the tonneau. The best protectants should have no petroleum distillates or silicone. It needs to have UV-blocking compounds to protect the surface from UV rays.
Method of Providing Protection
It would be best to determine whether the cleaning application and protectant have the dirt repellant or bleach-free or water-based non-silicone formula. If the protectant has these formulas, you can utilize them to brighten any leather or vinyl surface covers.
Wide Range of Benefits
When choosing a tonneau cleaning application and protector, you should make sure it has a wide range of uses. You should be able to use it on vinyl, fiberglass, rubber, plastic, door panels, leather, and much more.
Low-Cost Cleaner
Avoid buying expensive cleaning applications. It is because it takes a lot to clean a tonneau surface of grease and dirt. You may have to utilize the protectant after every carwash or rain. When you choose high-priced vinyl cleaners, they will not be cost-effective.
Cleaning Application Bottle and Accessories
It is always advisable to buy a protectant with a trigger spray handle. A trigger spray handle helps you utilize the cleaner effortlessly. The lightweight plastic bottle makes it easy to carry.
Tonneau Cover Material
All protectants can’t get used to clean and shine tonneau covers. If you choose protectants that contain ammonium sulfate and chlorine bleach, they might harm the fabric. Truck covers made of leather will not be able to bear any harsh chemicals.
Tonneau Cover Cleaning Steps and Tips
Tonneau covers give your convertible top truck an enhanced and sleek look. The cover also protects equipment and material kept inside from dust and dirt. Cleaning a tonneau surface is not as difficult as it sounds. With the right cleaning products, you will do it effortlessly.
Preparations Before the Cleaning Process
Before starting the cleaning process, there are some preparations you need to make. Examine the surface for tears, dents, bumps, or any other kind of damage. Remove the clamps and bolts that secure the tonneau cover to the convertible top truck and keep them safe.
You can clean the tonneau surface even when attached to the truck, but it is best to detach it from the truck if you want a thorough clean. Ensure that the place where you will be cleaning is a shaded area. Avoid scrubbing the surface directly under the sun.
Always ensure that the surface of the cover is cold before you start the cleaning process. If the surface gets heated due to exposure to the sun, let it cool and begin cleaning.
Follow these simple steps to clean the tonneau surface.
Step 1
Sprinkle or spray water on the surface of the cover. It will help remove any surface dirt and dust. Utilize a clean cloth to wipe the water off the cover. The water will soften any hard debris making it easy to remove.
Step 2
The next step involves preparing the cleaning solution. Mix the cleaning solution with hot water.
Step 3
Utilize a visible marker to divide the tonneau cover into two or four sections. It will enable you to clean each part in a precise manner.
Step 4
Soak a sponge bar or scrubber brush into the solution. Start scrubbing each section of the cover. Ensure that you don’t apply too much pressure on the tonneau cover. Old or damaged surfaces may get entirely torn if you apply too much pressure.
Scrub gently in a circular manner so that any dirt and debris get removed. Avoid using an abrasive cleaning pad when scrubbing the dirt and dust away.
Step 5
After scrubbing the cover, wait for at least five minutes. The solution will mix with the grease, dirt, and dust and ensure that it comes off. Repeat the process a couple of times so that the cover gets thoroughly cleaned.
Step 6
Utilize a hose to rinse the cover. Ensure that all dirt comes off with water. A clean sponge bar can be used to wipe off the excess water.
Step 7
Wipe the last drop of water from the tonneau cover and let it dry.
Step 8
You can now use the tonneau cleaning solution on the cover. Choose the cleaner based on the material of the tonneau cover. Spray the solution all over the surface of the cover. Utilize a brush or microfiber scrub to spread the cleaning solution all over the cover.
Don’t apply pressure on the cover when you are using the cleaning solution.
Step 9
After scrubbing the cover’s entire surface area, utilize a hose to rinse the cleaning solution. Utilize a sponge or a soft towel to remove water from the body. After it dries, you can apply the protectant. Cleanse the protectant using a microfiber applicator.
Tips for Taking Care of Tonneau Covers
If you have invested in a tonneau cover care, you will need to protect and maintain it regularly. With a little bit of maintenance, it will last long. Follow these tips to take care of your tonneau covers.
Regular Inspections
Check the tonneau cover. Inspect it for scratches, bumps, and nicks. Take time to complete minor repairs so that you can avoid costly replacements.
Secure the Tonneau Cover
Most damage happens when the tonneau cover is not secured correctly. Check the bolts, clamps, and other mounting hardware to ensure they get attached as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Tighten the hardware if it had become loose. If the cover slides don’t open and close, you will have to lubricate the rails. It will help open and close the slides quickly.
How to Clean A Tonneau Cover – Select A Proper Washing Method
Keeping the tonneau cover clean will prevent hardening, fading, or cracking. There are many cleaners available to ensure the longevity of the covers. It will also help in keeping the covers sleek.
When cleaning the tonneau cover, you should utilize a soft bristle brush or microfiber cloth to do so. Brush the vinyl surface to remove any dust and dirt before you start applying the cleaning solution. After application, you should rinse the cleaner off.
If the dirt and dust on the cover are deep-rooted, you should leave the cleaner on for at least ten minutes. Rinse it after ten minutes. Utilize a drying towel to wipe the tonneau cover clean. Apply a tonneau cover conditioner to preserve the new look and feel
Choose the Right Protectant
After cleaning the tonneau cover and letting it dry, you can apply a protectant to the vinyl. Utilize a microfiber applicant to apply and then scrub the protectant away. Remember that each protectant differs, and it is always best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Don’t Overburden the Tonneau Cover
Tonneau covers get made of the best quality materials. The good-quality materials enable them to withstand heavy loads. You need to make sure that you don’t overburden the tonneau covers, as even the best materials will break when you use them beyond their capacity.
If you are unsure how much weight the tonneau covers can support, you can refer to the manufacturer’s manual. Try distributing the weight evenly so that the surface doesn’t crack or break from one side. A little maintenance and cover care will help it last for long.
Keep it Protected
For tonneau covers made of vinyl, you should avoid keeping them in direct sunlight. Extreme temperatures will damage the surface of the cover. Keep the cover in the shade when not in use.
The 5 Best Tonneau Cover Cleaners
Let's take a close look at our top choices below.
1. Wolfsteins Tonneau Cover Vinyl Protectant 16oz.
The Wolfsteins tonneau cover cleaner is a unique patented protectant for vinyl tonneau covers. A vinyl cover, when exposed to harsh weather, fades and then tears. The non-silicone dirt repellant formula of the Wolfsteins tonneau cover has sophisticated UV blockers.
Wolfsteins tonneau cover vinyl protectant is the only protectant that Haartz endorses. Haartz is the world’s leading manufacturer of engineered coated fabrics. Vinyl material gradually loses its resistance to grease, dirt, moisture, and sun. If the vinyl cover gets left unprotected, it will stain, fade, and tear.
The Wolfsteins tonneau spray helps in maintaining a high level of protection. It enables the vinyl tonneau covers to maintain their performance and looks. The tonneau cover vinyl protectant doesn’t contain petroleum distillates or silicone. It is these ingredients that give protectants a slick look.
The cleaning application is powerful yet subtle in protecting the vinyl tonneau covers. Even with regular use, the protectant doesn’t change the appearance of the vinyl tonneau covers. The vinyl tonneau will keep looking new by retarding the growth of mildew and repelling dust, grease, and dirt. Snow or rain, the tonneau cover will retain its unique look.
2. Tyger Tonneau Cover Cleaner and Protectant 2-in-1 Spray Specialized for Vinyl and Leather Surfaces
The Tyger tonneau cover cleaner formula has got created for vinyl, plastic, and leather surfaces. The UV protectant finish keeps the tonneau cover safe from sun exposure. The product is a bleach-free, water-based formula. The advanced formula prevents fading of the tonneau cover.
The cleaning formula not only cleans the cover but also leaves it shining bright. All that you need to do is to spray on and wipe with a clean cloth. You will get a clean non-glossy look. Regular use of the cleaning spray will ensure a new look and feel at all times.
The Extang 1181 Tonno Tonic is different from other cleaning applications. It is because you can clean and shine leather, plastic, vinyl, rubber, and fiberglass using the tonic. Apart from these materials, you will also be able to clean tires using the Tonno tonic.
The 1181 Tonno Tonic gets specifically designed to clean tonneau covers. The water-based formula doesn’t harm the alloy wheels or any other truck part when you use it for cleaning.
The trigger spray handle makes the vinyl tonneau cover cleaner easy to use. The handle makes it easy to spray and use the lubricant to clean the cover. The UV protective feature ensures protection from harmful UV rays.
Duragloss 301 protectant is a blend of synthetic polymers. The polymers ensure the strength and durability of the tonneau cover. The vinyl convertible dressing is easy to use. It provides a protective coating on the vinyl cover.
The coating is robust. Dust or water will not be able to remove the coating from the cover. Even after heavy rain or snow, the convertible top tonneau cover will keep its shine. Spread the protectant, and the cover will look as good as new.
The Access cover care tonneau cleaner protects the bed cover against the harmful rays of the sun. The cleaner gets used on leather, rubber, and vinyl surfaces. You can use it to clean all types of roll-up covers.
The powerful cover care cleaner removes all grease, moisture, algae, dust, and dirt from the cover. You will be able to use it for many months, and it will give a long-lasting shine. If you live in a place where there are extreme climates, the cleaner will suit your needs.
The tonneau cleaning application creates a hydrophobic layer on the exterior surface. It makes the surface water repellant. The performance of the cleaner is good in winter climates too. The chemical composition of the mixture enables it to repel snow from seeping into the surface.
In Summary
Our pick of the best tonneau cover cleaner is Wolfsteins Tonneau Cover Vinyl Protectant 16oz. The patented protectant contains no petroleum distillates or silicone. It also has significant UV blocker components making it the best cover care cleaner.