Factory bed cover thoughts?

303 protectant, it works great. Use it on all your plastic and rubber trim. My tonneau cover still looks new after a year in the Florida sun, I apply it every few months.

$16 303 Products Automotive Protectant Spray - Helps Prevent Fading & Cracking, Repels Dust, Lint & Staining, Superior UV Protection & Restores Lost Color, Exterior & Interior Car Cleaning Supplies 16oz

https://www.amazon.com/303-Vinyl-Pl...8&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY

 

I've never washed my truck since new, it's been professionally ceramic glass coated. I just use the wolfstein cleaner to remove all the crusted bird poop that collects on the cover. When finished I spray on the wolfstein protectant. Cover still appears as new. Usually this is done every 3-4 months.

 

You haven’t washed your truck in 3 years?

 

Bought one a few weeks ago...waiting for it to come in.

 

Tbh, I love mine. I've taken a panel off to work with my toolbox and its fits like a glove. It has faded, as I've never treated it but other than that, it's been great for keeping my stuff safe in the bed.

I can still stand up on top of mine 6ish years later and it's solid. 1 bolt to take out and you can remove it in a minute or two.

 

One bolt is now considered "a lot of work?"

 

It works for what I need. Keeps the bulk of the water out (a truck bed is impossible to seal perfectly) and is a bit of added security for most instances. However, I generally leave it off in the summer months unless I have my RTT mounted. It provides a touch of extra weight for the winter.

 

Why would I? Was told with this coating not to. Besides it rains a lot here. I have been known to hose off all the mud, and salt spray once, or twice every winter. Truck still looks showroom new.

 

One bolt, then taking it off and storing the OEM cover is a lot more work/effort when compared to other covers that fold all they way open (bakflip) or are much lighter to remove (extang).

For my longbed, I dreaded having to remove the OEM cover because it was so large and heavy (Apartment + Stairs). Then for the bolt, even with a cover moisture got in and which lead to rust, had to used an impact to break it.

 

That doesn't sound good. I usually load and unload mine without issue, but I have the short bed. Even with moisture, I have no rust on the bolt to mine.

 

It may be the extra feet worth of material that added to weight, so it was never easy for me. My friend's Extang by comparison weighed nothing, and came be on and off in less than five minutes.

The year round 90° weather may be a factor to the rusted seized bolt. Slathered it with copper anti-seize after the incident.

 

Love mine, looks like new after 4 years. My Uncle is picking up a new Pro any day. Scored a new cover and hardware for $400. The OEM cover is the best looking and fit and finish is great but just like anything, you have to take care of it. People let them go and they look like crap but 303 makes it new again.

 

Yeah mine takes about 2 minutes and I live in the rust belt. Maybe I don't have the same bolt as you and just don't know it. It is pretty heavy, but this is my first experience with a hard tonneau cover. I don't generally like them, which is why mine is off most of the time. But it's useful enough to keep around.

 

I like my factory bed cover sturdy as hell. Mine stays on the truck most of the time. I’ve only had it off a few times. I’m going to order some new rubber inserts for the seams. I’m currently researching to find out where I can get these.

 

Whatever works for you. I just can't imagine anyone telling me not to wash my vehicle. It goes against your own owners manual and every reasonable paint care suggestion out there. If there was some magic pixie dust that you didn't have to wash your vehicle for three years at at time, don't you think Lexus would be selling it? Like 10,000 mile oil changes and lifetime no maintainence trans fluid.

 

Did you not read that its had a ceramic glass like coating done by outside professionals, then told I would never need to wash it? I guess constant washing can eventually wear the ceramic finish away.

 

I did initially but made some simple adjustments and really make sure to press the top down securely after each use. Seems to be fine, but again, mine is garaged when not in use.