Tacoma: Composite bed and UV light

[bandit572]

Does this cause anyone any concern in the long run? UV / IR damage to the vinyl esters used in the composite bed exposed to prolonged and extended exposure to sunlight. Plastics, all of them, do poorly if left out in sunlight.

[mitchr]

Originally Posted by bandit572

Does this cause anyone any concern in the long run? UV / IR damage to the vinyl esters used in the composite bed exposed to prolonged and extended exposure to sunlight. Plastics, all of them, do poorly if left out in sunlight.

You are thinking about certain older fiberglass that were not painted or coated correctly. Most all plastic and composites that are developed now are not affected by sunlight at all. Plastic parts have been used on exterior applications with many years of service(signs, ect.)

Mitch

[NicksToy]

You could use some 303 Aerospace Protectant on it, but it'll make the bed awfully slippery. Or you could get a tonneau cover.

[spjonm3]

Originally Posted by bandit572

Does this cause anyone any concern in the long run? UV / IR damage to the vinyl esters used in the composite bed exposed to prolonged and extended exposure to sunlight. Plastics, all of them, do poorly if left out in sunlight.

Well, I've had mine for 5 months and there is no sign at all of any sort of fading. Obviously only time will tell, but even my bed liner in my old truck started to fade in this amount of time.

[rdrector]

Haven't seen any sunlight issues although the bed seems to be porus in some way since I can't get the residue from muddy stones to go away. I've hosed it twice and even soaped and sponged it already and it still has a mud color in the bed.

[mitchr]

The only post that I have read where there were an issue with the bed was the one where the guy had his bed crack. I think he had put a bed cover on the Taco and then did some serious 4 wheeling.

[ABTRD]

Originally Posted by rdrector

Haven't seen any sunlight issues although the bed seems to be porus in some way since I can't get the residue from muddy stones to go away. I've hosed it twice and even soaped and sponged it already and it still has a mud color in the bed.

Yeah me too, I got mud rock stains all over from offroading. I even tried "Armor All-ing" it, but there's mud rock stains, AND hard water stains, haha.

[nicoj1222]

if the stains are really bad and you have patience i would use fine cut rubbing compund and a buffer.