Tonneau covers are costly. The cost of a tonneau cover varies as every cover has its `own style, shape, and quality. Once you purchased the tonneau cover, you will never want to remove it unless it’s necessary as you spent a good amount of money energy, and time over it. So, how will you wash your truck, many people question can tonneau covers go through a car wash and I reply it depends but mostly the answer is yes.
Best Tonneau Covers for a safe car wash:
The market is filled with tonneau cover manufacturers. You will find a huge variety of tonneau covers having different styles, sizes, and attributes. So, when buying a tonneau, you will observe every cover has its own set of guidelines for cleaning a tonneau cover.
It’s a modern era and normally people prefer an automatic car wash. So, when I was buying a tonneau cover for my truck bed, I researched all the big brands selling a tonneau cover. And it was very amusing to know that I came to find out all those brand tonneau covers were safe for an automatic car wash.
Although it mentioned on the tonneau packaging to not apply silicon or wax on it as it’s harmful.
Some top companies for tonneau covers:
- Line-X
- Gator Covers
- TonnoPro
- UnderCover
- Pace Edwards
- Trident
- Bak Industries
- Truxedo
According to all these brands, their tonneau covers are safe for an automatic car wash. Although I was not fully convinced as some tonneau covers are soft how will they bear the automatic car wash. But the according to these brands if you properly close the tonneau cover it will not be damaged by the car wash.
Can a partially closed cover bear the car wash?
If you are in a situation where a car wash is a must for you like your windshield is covered with muddy scars after the rain or bugs you need to wash it fully.
But at the same time, you have some long pipes or cylinders in the back of your truck too, sticking out of the car. In this situation no matter how much you secure a tonneau it’s not preferable to send it to a car wash. Moreover, the staff at car washing will also not allow you.
So, in this case, remove your cargo and secure your cover and then let it go in the carwash. Otherwise, the elongated cargo will damage your cover and machinery.
Moreover, normally brands mention the “weather resistant” word while marketing their tonneau covers. Although it’s not entirely true, yea it’s highly possible that the top of the cover is water-resistant but the other parts of the tonneau covers are soft.
Why automatic car washes are dangerous?
Many brands claim tonneau cover car wash is not dangerous and their covers can bear it all. Still, there are some worth noting points that you must consider before sending your truck for a car wash.
Rotatory Brushes
These brushes scrub the dirt from the car parts. The rotation depends upon the friction. Normally a hardcover is not affected by these brushes but when a soft tonneau cover passes through these spinning brushes it gets damaged. However, chances exist if the cover is made of high-quality material, it will survive the friction of the brushes despite being soft.
Fans of the Dryer
Dryer fans are used to dry the car and absorb moisture. Although they run at high pressure and some times the fan pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure and adds unnecessary stress over the tonneau cover.
In case you didn’t secure the tonneau cover properly it will open in between the drying process and it will be damaging not only for the tonneau cover but also for the vehicle’s other parts.
High-Pressure Water
The water at the car wash places is different than the rainwater. It’s very fast and comes from different directions. Here you can face the same problem as the above cover can fly away if not secured properly. It’s very important to secure the tonneau cover.
Remember mostly the covers are weather-resistant, not water-resistant. So, if you have a question, can tonneau covers go through a carwash? Yes, it can but properly secure it first. And always be ready to find a little water on your bed after the wash.
Different Types of Tonneau Covers
Generally, there are two main types of tonneau cover:
- Soft Tonneau Covers
- Hard Tonneau Covers
Soft Tonneau Covers
Soft tonneau covers are weather resistant but water can easily pass through them if not secured properly during a car wash or on rainy days. They have flexibility. Moreover, you can easily detach them from your vehicle when you went to a car wash.
Soft covers are safe to wash in a car wash still try taking precautions to avoid any damages and tears.
Hard Tonneau Cover
These covers are tough and rigid as they are made of fiberglass. They are safe for a car wash and can bear it all.
Although these covers are expensive still buying them is a smart choice as they are lifelong.
Substitute for an automatic car wash:
Manual Car Wash
Although if someone asks you can tonneau covers go through a carwash the answer is yes. Still, an automatic car wash is a little dangerous as it can cause damages to your soft and hard tonneau cover. So, to avoid the risk try a manual car wash.
In manual car washing, you do not need to worry about the water pressure as it will allow you full control, and same for the drying fan you can just wash your cover and vehicle and let it dry naturally.
Just keep one thing in mind choose the cleaning agent wisely. It is preferable to use the cleaner without wax and silicon and it’s harmful to the tonneau cover.
Clean without water:
If you are looking for the safest way to clean the tonneau cover hard cleaning is the answer. It will protect your cover perfectly. For it you just need a rag to apply the chemical, a wipe to remove the extra cleaner, and a tonneau cleaner chemical.
This method requires time but if you are not willing to take the risk it’s the only way to safely clean the tonneau cover and the vehicle.
Also Read: How much does tonneau covers cost?
Conclusion
Tonneau covers are costly and it’s important to take care of them. Being a truck owner often it comes to mind that can tonneau covers go through a carwash. Well, the answer is yes it can go into the car wash. But still, some risks exist.
Before sending your vehicle into the car wash make sure that you secure the tonneau cover properly. Although the brands claim that their tonneau cover can bear the car wash still taking precautions is better to avoid damages.
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