Curtainsiders are a great investment that will last beyond their expected life span with proper care and cleaning.
Roland's curtains are built with premium 100 percent PES polyester curtain material. They are rugged and stable to withstand all temperatures. Reinforcement bands are added to the inside of each curtain for greater resilience and tear protection. Coated with PVC plus an exterior coat of acrylic lacquer, our curtains will provide years of service.
While curtainsiders are low-maintenance, the few cleaning requirements will ensure service life and appearance.
Curtainside Cleaning Basics
The goal of cleaning is to remove residue such as engine smoke, oil, grime, and road salt film. These elements cause deterioration, which will take years off the usable life of the curtains. They will also detract from aesthetic appearance.
Don’t use harsh chemicals like solvents, paint remover or abrasive substances to clean curtains. These may deteriorate the protective lacquer coating. Consumer-grade products like floor cleaners are also not recommended. Rolaclean curtainside cleaner is formulated for our curtains and available from your Roland dealer. Other commercially available products developed to clean PVC truck curtains are acceptable. Here are some general cleaning recommendations:
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions for proper dilution of the cleaner. Most curtainside cleaners recommend a 50/50 mix with water.
- Use a spray nozzle attachment to a standard hose for rinsing curtains. Don’t use a pressure-washer.
- Wash and rinse the curtain in segments five feet wide at a time. It’s important to clean in small areas to avoid leaving the cleaner soaking on the curtain for too long before it’s rinsed off. Extended exposure to the cleaner may affect the protective lacquer coating or the printed graphic colors.
- Apply the cleaning solution to the five-foot segment of curtain. Gently brush the segment with a long-handled, soft-bristle brush to loosen residue. Take extra care not to scrub too hard over areas that include graphics to avoid damaging the color or image.
- Don’t allow the cleaning mixture to dry on the curtain. Thoroughly rinse the segment of curtain with clean water and a spray nozzle. Then move on to the next segment of curtain.
Other Cleaning Considerations
A metal curtainside trailer deck may become oily and slippery over time. To restore traction, spray with an approved degreaser, then hose clean. Make sure the curtains are retracted to avoid spraying degreaser on curtain material. Sweep laminated wood trailer floors instead of washing them.
Take extra care with cleaning the underside of trailers. Undercoating is applied to the structural beams underside the trailers to prevent corrosion. It is soft and can be removed with harsh chemicals and high-pressure hot water. Avoid the use of solvents, aluminum brighteners or pressure washers.
Benefits of cleaning well
Taking care of your Roland Curtains will allow them to:
- Retract to allow loading and unloading access from either side.
- Easily close and secure.
- Shelter the load from the elements.
- Offer greater security than a flatbed.
- Act as a moving billboard for your company logo and products on the road.
Take good care of the investment you've made in your curtainside trailer, and it will pay of for years to come.
Want to learn more about curtainside maintenance? Our team of professionals is standing by to advise.
