How To Get A Clean Straight Line When Painting

How to Clean a Rhino Lining

by Sylvia Cochran

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Rhino Lining protects a truck bed from scratches and dents brought on by frequent use. Once applied and properly cured, it can endure temperatures as high as 190 degrees Fahrenheit and as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. The lining also withstands corrosive chemicals, as well as damage by spilled fuel or fertilizer. Although generally extremely durable, the linings can fall victim to some oxidation and UV damage.

Step 1

Empty the truck bed. Remove any garbage, such as packages, wrapping paper or boxes. Soak up spills with absorbent paper towels or shop towels. If there are grease spots, lift off as much grease as possible with the towel. Sweep the truck bed with a household broom. This helps to get rid of loose debris, such as rocks and sand.

Step 2

Wet the truck bed with water from the garden hose. Apply car soap and work it into a good lather. Scour the liner with a stiff nylon bristle brush. This step lets you remove dirt from in between the lining texture crannies. If engine grease or other oils left residues in the truck bed, consider using a degreaser on those spots.

Step 3

Rinse the truck bed with a pressure washer. If you do not have a pressure washer or nozzle that attaches to the garden hose, head over to the car wash and use the equipment there. The increase in water pressure helps to release caked-on dirt and ground in debris that the nylon brush might not have sufficiently removed.

Step 4

Dry the liner with shop towels and spray on a vinyl and hard plastic cleaner. Good examples are tire sprays and automotive vinyl cleaners with UV protection. Follow the directions for use that are printed on the can or bottle. Another option is the use of Rhino Shine, which is manufactured by the Rhino Linings Corporation. It is available as a pigmented--green, red, grey, blue, red or black--and also a clear coating that lasts for about six months and heightens the lining's sheen and UV resistance.

Wash the truck bed with water from the garden hose one more time. After removing the overage from the specialty cleaner, the Rhino Lining is clean and glossy. This is a good time to decide if you want to have a dealer install a Rhino UV topcoat to prevent further color changes or surface dulling. Keep in mind that the manufacturer only recommends this kind of topcoat for the HardLine and TuffGrip liners, but not the SolarMax brand.

References

Things You'll Need

Paper towels
Shop towels
Broom
Garden hose
Water
Car soap
Nylon bristle brush
Degreaser
Pressure washer
Hard plastic cleaner
Truck liner restorer (optional)
UV Topcoat (optional)

Writer Bio

Based in the Los Angeles area, Sylvia Cochran is a seasoned freelance writer focusing on home and garden, travel and parenting articles. Her work has appeared in "Families Online Magazine" and assorted print and Internet publications.