I'm new to the forum and purchased a 2004 F150 Lariat. Man, I love this truck. I was actually in the market for a car and took this truck down the highway and was sold within minutes. I wished I started driving a truck long ago.

Anyway, with the truck being used, there appears to be some wear on the bed caps. See the pictures. Looks like it could be the effects of the sun (I'm in Texas) or a tonneau cover rubbing. Any ideas how to restore them?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2619161...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2619161...n/photostream/

 

Yea a little sun damage there. You can take some Back to Black and work the color back in. Turtle Wax ICE may do the job too. I use ICE to keep mine looking new at least once a month.

 

I would go with a more perminent solution myself, that's why I painted mine the other day. Grab a screw driver and insert it inbetween the plastic and the metal and gently pry it back to release to where you can get your hands up under it and pull it off, and releasing the tabs at the same time, force will release them. Then once they are off clean them with paint cleaner, degreaser, and then use Kyrlon Fusion Satin Black to paint the. A couple of coats later your good to go with brand new bed rails.

 

mine looked like that too. I used a product called Back to Black, but was irritated when I had too apply it every wash so I painted them. Not too hard too paint, but it sure looks good. Painted the rear window surround as well.

 

Sorry, one thing I forgot. Make sure you take the time to carefully prep the surface and use the correct primer or the paint will flake off. I learned this the hard way, but I had good luck with acetone to etch the plastic and Dupont Krylon paint.