CheckMate FX Tonneau Cover Oxidation - What to do?

[mrweelr]

I've had a CheckMate FX tonneau cover on my Sy for a couple of years and it's looking very dull these days. The sun has oxidized the once shiny coating. Anyone know what can be used to remove the oxidation and bring back the shine? It's fiberglass so I don't want to mess it up, thanks.

 

[Loeryder]

Re: CheckMate FX Tonneau Cover Oxidation - What to do?

Find someone who details for a living and have them put a cut and buff on it for you.
A professional will have a whole line of products to deal with oxidation, but black is the trickiest color of all.

I wouldn't tackle it yourself or you could end up with swirls and thin spots.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: CheckMate FX Tonneau Cover Oxidation - What to do?

Thanks. I do have an orbital buffer I bought from Sonus:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/son-udmsfx-kit.html.

I haven't used it yet, but I was thinking using this with some light compound might remove the dull oxidation? The cover gets searing hot when the truck is in the sun after just a few minutes. I try to keep the truck in the shade as much as possible because of this.

 

[LIL QIK]

Re: CheckMate FX Tonneau Cover Oxidation - What to do?

If it's the same one that a buddy of mine had (looks like laid fiberglass)....he was told by the manufacturer that it had to be painted. He wouldn't be able to stop the oxidation look otherwise.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: CheckMate FX Tonneau Cover Oxidation - What to do?

If it's the same one that a buddy of mine had (looks like laid fiberglass)....he was told by the manufacturer that it had to be painted. He wouldn't be able to stop the oxidation look otherwise.

Yeah, that kinda makes sense. I guess I'll either have it painted or just armor all it all the time. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[95xtreme]

Re: CheckMate FX Tonneau Cover Oxidation - What to do?

Yeah, that kinda makes sense. I guess I'll either have it painted or just armor all it all the time. Thanks for the suggestions.

if you ever plan on painting do not use armor all onit some body shops will never touch something that has been armor alled

 

[LIL QIK]

Re: CheckMate FX Tonneau Cover Oxidation - What to do?

Also...I think painting it was also for the protection as well. If I remember right....his eventually starting separating from the exposure to the elements. That's what finally made him call them. He never painted his when he got it because his truck was black and the cover kind of had a nice finish on it at first. You may want to call them and verify....but you may want to prep and paint it just to help keep from the same separation issues that he had. I was thinking of running that same cover when it's time....but was planning on having mine painted as well.

 

[JSM]

Re: CheckMate FX Tonneau Cover Oxidation - What to do?

Yes, armor all will kill any chance of a good paint job later. At a minimum make the painter become your new enemy for putting it on.

 

[Ian Turgeon]

Re: CheckMate FX Tonneau Cover Oxidation - What to do?

Don't armor all it. These things arent really painted, but rather have a thin coat of gelcoat that just doesn't last. You also won't have much luck just trying to polish it as the coat is so thin, you'll start digging down into the fiberglass fibers.

Get it painted.

 

[InvisiBill]

Re: CheckMate FX Tonneau Cover Oxidation - What to do?

303 > Armor All
http://www.303products.com/tech/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=428

 

[mrweelr]

Re: CheckMate FX Tonneau Cover Oxidation - What to do?

Well, I already used Mothers Back to Black on it along with my cladding so I guess I'll never be able to paint the stuff. My original question was really whether or not it could be polished out, but it sounds like the answer is no. Appreciate the help guys.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: CheckMate FX Tonneau Cover Oxidation - What to do?

Well, I had some time to kill today so I took out my Sonus orbital "Ultimate Detailing Machine" and went to work on the tonneau cover. After about 1.5 hours of polishing and buffing with their three step system SFX-1, SFX-2, SFX-3, it looks brand new again I finished it off with a coat of Adam's Butter Wax. It looks fantastic and the buffer did no damage to the tonneau cover whatsoever.

 

[LIL QIK]

Re: CheckMate FX Tonneau Cover Oxidation - What to do?

Looks pretty good. I guess my only question might be.....is how many times will you get away with it before it actually does take it's toll on it. Looks good though.

 

[AutoVation]

Re: CheckMate FX Tonneau Cover Oxidation - What to do?

I wonder what some Black Chrome would do?