After transporting gravely and sticky construction materials around all day, it’s only natural the bed of your dump truck would be a bit dirty. In fact, even those who have fitted their vehicle with quality bed liners might still find it could use a good cleaning. Regular washes are essential for keeping a truck operating as it should and reducing the frequency of repairs. So, read this guide on how to clean a dump truck liner and improve your equipment’s overall performance.
Sweep Away Loose Debris
The first thing you should do when washing your dump truck liner is to sweep away any dirt or loose materials that stuck around from the last delivery. This is helps remove most of the dust prior to the rest of the cleaning process and prevents it from getting in your way. For larger models of vehicle, it’s recommended you use a tall-handled broom for a general sweeping. Don’t worry about getting all the smaller areas, as they’ll be covered during the following efforts.
Power Wash the Liner
The next step to cleaning a dump truck bed liner is power washing it with clean water. This is how you’ll be able to reach all the small nooks and corners that you couldn’t get to with your broom. The power washing will remove any remaining debris and even help dislodge some materials still stuck to the bed itself. Getting rid of asphalt buildup is especially vital as this substance has the potential to hinder the growth of the liner and reduce its effectiveness over time.
Feel for Materials Under the Liner
As form-fitting as your professionally installed dump truck bed liner may be, it’s still possible for materials to get stuck underneath it. When this happens, the liner begins to deteriorate at a faster rate, and it can form holes that trap additional debris. Therefore, it’s crucial that you also spend some time clearing out any substances that have gotten trapped between the linter itself and the dump truck bed. This can be done by using a board, 2 feet by 6 feet, to lift the liner’s corners and washing the materials away with a garden hose. Don’t use a pressure washer for this step as it could actually push some of the debris farther back under the liner.
You can also do some preventative maintenance in-between jobs. Should a bit of sticky asphalt find its way into the space near the tailgate, it’s recommended that you immediately scrape it a way with a putty knife. This way, it poses less of a risk to the liner itself.
Follow Up with a Releasing Product
While it isn’t required, you do have the option as well to apply a releasing product to your bed liner. These formulas help break up any clumps of material, namely asphalt, that remain stuck to the plastic after all your previous cleaning efforts. If you do choose to do this, make sure the product you use is approved by your company. Using unauthorized solutions can dry out the liner material and make it more susceptible to damage.
