How To Clean Your Tonneau Cover

Keeping your Tonneau cover clean will not only keep it looking its best but also plays a key role in extending its life. Thankfully the process is not too complicated and should be considered part of your truck’s cleaning regimen.

Please note: Make sure to consult your product’s instruction manual for specific cleaning instructions.

Prior to Cleaning Your Tonneau Cover:

Before you start cleaning your truck’s tonneau cover, make sure to do a quick visual inspection of the surface. Are there any scratches, tears, dents or corrosion? These issues could only be exacerbated while cleaning with water, so it might be best to pass on cleaning your cover and instead opt to do some repairs. At the same time, make sure to inspect all the bolts, clamps and mounted hardware just to make sure they’re all mounted securely in place. Finally, do a quick inspection of the side rails, making sure that any latches or fasteners can be easily opened, closed or loosened and tightened. If need be, use a small amount of mineral oil to prevent any sticking. If you have a hard tri-fold cover, you’ll also want to take a moment to inspect the hinges at each panel for any hints of corrosion or damage.

Start Cleaning Your Tonneau Cover:

Once you’ve finished inspecting the cover and its hardware, you’re ready to start the cleaning process. Park your truck in a shaded area, or at least make sure that the cover surface itself is out of direct sunlight. Start by using a hose and a towel to remove any loose dust, dirt and debris. This will help maximize the effectiveness of the actual cleanser. After you’ve dusted off the cover, you’ll want to prepare your cleaning solution. You’ll need about half a cup of car washing solution mixed in with a bucket filled with warm water. We recommend using TechCare Gentle Car Shampoo. Its long-lasting thick foam lifts away tough dirt and stains and its neutral pH level makes it safe to use on both hard and soft tonneau covers!

To make things easier on yourself, wash the cover one half at a time. Start by applying the cleaning solution on one half of the cover using a soft bristle brush or WeatherTech Wash Mitt. Make sure to use smooth motions without applying too much pressure, as you don’t want to damage or scuff the material of your cover. For stubborn dirt and messes, let the solution soak the area for approximately 5 minutes, then try lightly scrubbing the stubborn area once more.

After you’ve completely washed the first half of the cover, rinse away the cleaning solution with clean water and repeat the previous step on the other half. Again, take special care not to apply too much pressure when scrubbing, as you don’t want to cause any damage to your tonneau cover.

Rinse off the second half of the cover and dry thoroughly using a microfiber towel. WeatherTech offers a variety of microfiber drying towels for your convenience. If you have a hard tri-fold, your job is done. If you have a soft roll-up cover, there’s one more crucial step to take.

After your roll up vinyl cover has thoroughly dried, you’ll want to make sure to use a Tonneau Cover Protector on the cover. This will provide your vinyl or other soft cover an added layer of protection against the elements and harmful UV radiation. These kinds of products can significantly extend the life of your soft cover, especially since without proper protection, they may warp, wrinkle and, even worse, crack.