What Is Vinyl?
Vinyl is a plastic made from
polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Vinyl is
manufactured in different ways
in a number of forms and in
varying qualities for thousands
of uses. A vinyl’s topcoat holds
in plasticizers, softening agents
which keep vinyl supple.
Vinyl is a UV-sensitive material which degrades
when exposed to sunlight. Maintaining the
integrity of the topcoat and protecting against
UV damage are the keys to keeping vinyl
looking and performing “like new”.
Keeping vinyl clean is an
important part of routine
maintenance. Dirt acts as an
abrasive and can also wear out
the thread in seams. Mildew
grows on damp, dirty vinyl.

The recommended vinyl cleaning method
1) Rinse with cool water.
2) Wash with 303 Convertible Top or
303 Aerospace Cleaner™, or soap and water,
using a soft mitt. For stubborn dirt, a soft
bristle brush may be used.
3) Rinse thoroughly with water and allow to dry.
4) Avoid harsh cleaners, abrasives, petroleum
distillates and alcohols*.
303 Saves Money And Adds
Years To The Life Of Your Vinyl
Without 303 With 303
Plasticizers escape through damaged
topcoat. Failure imminent.
Properly maintained topcoat.
Vinyl remains flexible and supple.


“SPF 40 SUNSCREEN... For Your Stuff”
303 Aerospace Protectant... is
your best choice for vinyl
care. Specifically developed
as a UV screening protective
treatment for aerospace and
aviation applications, “303”
provides all the protective
features necessary for
maintaining vinyl.

Simple Cleaning
Using the wrong vinyl “protectant”product is
worse than using no vinyl treatment product at all.
Avoid vinyl treatment products that contain any
type of oil, have an oily or greasy feeling,
contain petroleum distillates or leave a coating
that dries like wax. If a product label says
“flammable or contains petroleum distillates”,
do not use on vinyl.

Protecting Vinyl
1. “303” is the world’s most powerful UV
screening treatment for vinyl. Regular use
prevents UV fading and degradation. It truly
is like “SPF 40 Sunscreen... For Your Stuff ”.
2. “303” protected vinyl repels dust, dirt, oils,
tree sap and stains to maintain surface
integrity.
3. “303” restores lost color and luster. Makes
faded vinyl look like “factory new” again...
and with regular use keeps it that way.
4. “303” treated vinyl stays cleaner longer,
cleans up easier.
5. Easy application. Spray on, wipe dry.
6. Safe for rubber, plastic, glass and paint.
Reapplication: For maximum UV protection,
reapply every 30-45 days of EXPOSURE.

303 Aerospace Protectant is the most
manufacturer-recommended protectant, by
name brand manufacturers of vinyl convertible
tops, clear vinyl, tonneau covers, car bras, vinyl
RV awnings and spa covers.

 

no joke, a simple eraser will work very well, isn't that messy, and costs less than a dollar. you know the ones... those pretty pink ones?!? yup... scrub away...

 

Eagle One Wax As U Dry works great on all plastic and soft bed covers. I can tell it has some cleaning agents in it because when I got my used 04 Lightning, the front grills where starting to fade, they where very light grey, but every time I wash I use Wax As U Dry on all plastic pieces, bed cover, wheel wells, etc... and every thing has cleaned up and darkened like brand new.

It's quick, easy, wont run when it rains, doesn't leave a thick/greasy feel or attract dust, just a new piece of plastic look/feel. You should of seen my wheel well plastic when I first got the truck compared to how it looks now, they look and feel like new. And it's not that tire shine covering up the dirt look, like I said, it must have some cleaning agents in it because even after a pressure wash (3700psi) and soap scrub, the stuff will pull dirt off the bed cover (microfiber will get dirty kinda like a clay bar will pull grime from washed paint).

So... no running when it rains, no thick/greasy residue feel, water beads, fast and easy (apply as you dry) plastic pieces will look better and darken and get cleaner the more you use it - a brand new natural look and not a overly-oily/greasy look/feel that will run or attract dust.

 

Use extreme caution on the newer body style though (04+).

Using an eraser, you're obviously cleaning by abrasion. The same is true for the Mr Clean Magic Eraser...

One member here THRASHED all of his handles with the MrC ME... the plastic has a tendency to turn white when exposed to abrasion.

Light abrasion with the big pink will work -- I've used it -- but, don't get carried away and use a very light mist of water as a light lubricant.

 

When they get too bad too restore, pull them off ( they pop on into rectangle holes in the box ) clean them with a vinyl cleaner or plastic prep spray and a scotchbrite pad, rinse and dry, and put 3 or 4 coats of SEM spray plastic bumper coater. It comes in lots of colors including flat or semigloss black. I use that stuff for mirrors, moldings, ground effects, just about anything. Try it on your wiper arms when they get looking bad. Trailer hitch touchup, tube steps, you name it.

 

YES, this same thing happened to me. Don't use Back-to-Black. I blame this product for my faded bedrails.

 

I've seen similar done before. I say similar as they used Rhino Lining instead. It looked very good blending in well with the factory spray in bed-liner -- simple solution to purchasing new ones.

 

I know that this is an old post. but just wanted to put my input as today I have just done the chore of re-furbishing the rear windo plastic, and bed rail trim on my 99 extended cab long bed. First go over all plastic with soap and water with a common "new" scotch brite pad. tape and paper off bed and cab....this done correctley will take about an hour. next use a can of "Dupli.Color - TRIM PAINT" available at any Advance. do three coates on boath bed and rear window lining. .....untape and look at your masterpiece!!!! use same scotch-brite pad to remove unwanted trim dye off paint by lightly buffing with wet pad.............this really is an easy process and leaves the truck looking stock and beautiful!

 

i had some ICE wax in my garage and layed it on thick on my bed trim and it helped alittle also with the rubber/vinyl stuff under the windows

 

spray them, or any plastic on your truck, with krylon fusion and clear coat.

 

but dont forget to smooth them first!
lol

 

Mine look incredible after re-painting in satin black. I chose to sand very lightly to keep the texture, looks amazing.

 

303 protecant has brought back several of my buddies plastic trim parts to look almost new, I used it on my 1999 F150 and after 10 year the plastic still looked great. 303 lasts about 30-45 days depending on how often you wash your truck. Let it soak in for 30 minutes and wipe off the excess. Order from their web site a gallon is now $60. http://www.303products.com

 

I'm a big fan of 303, but it doesn't hold up too well under rain or that many washes.
I'm not sure if it's the same type of PVC as the bed rails on my truck, but my the plastic under the wipers on my mustang was faded quite bad and I gave 303 a shot, looked good, but faded quickly. I also tried Back to Black and ran into the same results as others posted with it turning white. I found a bottle of Mequires Gold Class Trim Detailer, and this stuff is fantastic and lasts through months of washes. It's in a small black plastic bottle and I will see if I can post a pic of it. I now applied it to all of the exterior plastic of the car and the truck with great results and a little goes a long way.

As other's suggest, I would also look at painting them, I think flat or satin black on the OP's truck would look great!

http://www.falcar.com/Cleaners/maguire/MEGUCLEA0022.jpg

 

I took migdaddy and warren's advice and sprayed with KRYLON........

Should have done this a long time ago......
but I didn't remove the rails, just taped everything off, VERY easy with the big gaps, then sprayed 3 coats between 30 minute intervals.........(in the garage)

I also used the "Black Satin"......AWESOME look, made the trailer hitch look new, also!

Thanks for the tips, guys!