Tonneau covers are valuable accessories for your pickup truck which is why you also need to take good care of it to prolong its lifespan. The proper maintenance for tonneau covers like a folding tonneau cover depends on the type of material it is made of. Since there are two major categories of tonneau truck covers, there are also different cleansers you are going to need for each one.
The soft type tonneau cover is made of vinyl or flexible type of textile with a rib frame around it to keep it taut. Hard tonneau covers on the other are made of sturdy and tough materials. One example of this is the BakFlip F1 tonneau cover specially made and designed for the F1 pickup truck. It is made of fiberglass reinforced polymer which is very strong and tough, able to withstand strong impact.
The proper cleaning and maintenance for each tonneau cover varies only in the type of cleanser used to wash the cover. The process of cleaning is the same which starts by removing the cover from the back of the truck cover. Before washing the cover with soap, first rinse it with running water to remove debris and dust settle on the surface. This is so that the dust will not mix with the soap and you will have a clean and rich lather. After removing the dust and debris from the cover, get a bucket of water and add a quarter cup of liquid detergent. Make sure this detergent is the correct one for the type of material you are going to wash.
Some detergents for hard tuck bed covers like the BakFlip F1 tonneau covers may be too harsh or not compatible with a soft tonneau cover; and vice versa. Mix the liquid detergent with the water and use a soft cloth or sponge to create a foamy lather. Begin washing the tonneau cover using gentle strokes. Avoid heavy scrubbing and application of force while washing the surface as this may cause damage like abrasions and scratches.
Make sure that you also put attention to the hinges and clamps attached to the cover and check if there may be oxidation and rust formation. If there is, clean this part with a toothbrush and scrub it well until the rust is removed. If this part is corroded heavily, then use sand paper to remove the rust. Rinse the truck cover well with running tap water and let the water drip off then wipe with a dry, clean cloth.