no matter how clean i try and keep it, you can still some dry dirt inside the little lines on the cover..

will ArmorAll hurt it?

 

I live on a dirt road and i constantly armor all my tonneau cover. I don't think it hurts it. It sure looks alot better afterwards.

 

Try using those Armor All Protectant Wipes in the yellow plastic can. It usually takes two or three to do the whole tonneau cover, but you can get all the dirt out of those lines in the cover

It also gives me a warm tingling feeling doing it

 

From what I understand, the most important thing about cleaning the tonneau cover is to verify that the cleaner does not have petroleum products in it. Petroleum products will break down the outer membrane of the cover causing the cover to deteriorate over time. I have not seen what the ingredients are for Armor All but a look at the bottle should tell you. I have seen that some OEMs suggest 303 Protectant, but I do not have any experience with it.

 

I would never touch an armor all product - nothing but bad news. It will dry out the cover over time, and fade it to a a greyish color. very bad stuff. I have used WD40 to clean my cover before, and also used it on the plastic pieces on my 93 Cobra. Works the best, and safest. I used it on my '99's mirrors and the bug's would never stick to them.

 

Get "303" protectant. It works great and is specifically made for vinyl. I picked up a spray bottle from the local boat supply shop.

 

I love this stuff and use it on just about everything except the interior including under the truck.


Just wash the truck, Spray the Wax as you Dry on the cover/truck and wipe down. It will make the cover look brand new, not greasy.

I do not use armour-all anywhere on my truck because I don't like that "greasy look" it leaves and it also attracts dirt like crazy.

 

I have been told that Armorall attracks the threads and will cause them to rot. I do know that for sure, but Armoral does seem to attract both dusts and sand. I use 303 on my cover. It is specially made to protect against UV and will not harm the vinyl or threads. You can find it online if no local store carries it. It comes with the Extang covers although under their own house label but its made by 303. Good stuff!!

Here is their website http://www.303products.com/home.htm
noelvm

 

I've used it many times now. And Now I'll tell you the worse part about using "anything" on the cover. IF IT RAINS WITH-IN A DAY OR TWO THE OIL RUNS ALL OVER THE SIDES OF THE TRUCK.

This is not pretty on a black truck in the hot summer sun, believe me, it took me 1/2 the summer to get that oil haze off my truck.
It does seem to matter how long before the rain you apply it. I now use the least I can to acheive a clean dark shinny look.
I've even used the Wheel stuff on it, it looked great, but when it rains

The WD 40 is a trick I've been using over 20 years, but again watch out for the rain. I actually used a complete can on my Black 70 Nova when I sold it a while ago, and it looked showroom, then it started raining while the guy was buying it and he kept asking what all the oily stuff was on the windows

 

You are right about the oily residue on the flairsides. I have noticed it a bunch of times, but didn't realize it was the armor all. I gotta pick up some wd40 some time this week.

 

The WD 40 may work and look great but I doubt seriously doubt it provides any UV portection whatsoever, which means the color will fade.
noelvm

 

guess it would be better to just get a hard cover and wax it with the rest of the truck.

 

I thought about that Gator but thats got to be a royal pain in the butt with a black daily driver. Plus then my fat *** would have to stretch and bend and I'd probably pull my back out and then fall and hit my head or something, and then I'd have blood stains all over it and end up having to clean it all over again.

Schitt, I'm tired just thinking about all that extra work,

 

I'd use the Eagle One stuff-Armor All makes it slick and can dry out the material, whcih you dont want that!!

 

Meguiars Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner #40. It is their professional line of products.Has UV protection also. My wife is an auto detailer / car show nut, and has used all of Meguiars products for years. She convinced me also.

Here is a quote from their site:

Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner
Many other products simply coat vinyl and rubber with shiny silicones. Meguiar’s remarkable alternative gives you professional results by penetrating and cleaning, while conditioning and protecting against UV damage. All while leaving a rich matte finish.

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Rick