Kleaning awning

[jjrbus]

 I've almost got the roof of my bus clean. Would like to work on the awning next. What have you used for awning cleaning? The directions for my awning say not to use bleach!!

[bubbaqgal]

Jim, try getting the Spray Power at Walmart.  We use it on the buses, our hands and even our clothes.  Works great.

[JackConrad]

Jim,
   Look at West Marine, Boat US, etc. for the cleaners used on boat canvas.  Jack

[JohnEd]

jj,

Bleach will rot the sewn stitches.  I used "TIDE WITH COLOR SAFE BLEACH".  Worked really well for me.  DO NOT let that dry or you have to go through the washing process again.  Tide does lots of stuff.

HTH

John

[jackhartjr]

JR, I have an s&s that after a lot of expirementation found this is best: using pretty much any sudsy cleaner wash both the top and bottom, just before they dry do it again, the second time usually does the trick.  Don't forget to let it dry really good before rolling it back in.
Jack

[jjrbus]

jj,

Bleach will rot the sewn stitches.

John what actually happens is the bleach removes the seam sealer that is applied to the stiches causeing the seams to leak. Then the seams need to be resealed, BTDT.

Corrected HTML Richard

[JohnEd]

JJ,

None of my seams were sealed.....just plain stitching.  There are only seams on the edge of the awning so nothing can "leak" there.  I assume that a sealed stich would look like it had a coating.  This ain't no biggie though.  I washed mine with Tide and got results that were more than satisfactory so I never had any motive to do anything else.  Now I do use bleach on my snowcoate roof to remove the mildew stains and it does a bang-up job if the concentration is high enuf.  Now I remember that that wash solution goes right down the awning till I rinse the entire affair so I guess I do get bleach on my awning.  The awning I have now is 13+ years ypong and the one I removed was 20 years old.  These things seem industructable.

Stay Happy,

john

[jjrbus]

 Thanks for the responses!!! There appears to be different types of material for awnings. Woven acrylic and vinyl, there may be others also? Using diluted bleach on vinyl is ok (check with manufacturer). On woven acrylic it removes the sealer on the seam where it attaches to the bus, giving me a 21 foot leak!!
My last attempt at cleaning this was with Tide and Oxiclean. I soaked it, rolled it up for 4 hours then scrubbed and rinsed. Still a mess!!!! I will try Jacks suggestion for a Marine product next.

[JohnEd]

JJ,

Hold on Hoss!  I thought they were all "vinal".  If it ain't I got'ch covered.  Ever seen one of those catamaran sails with all the panels a different vibrant color?  I had on of those deathwish sail boats.  Bought it used.  Was maybe 15 years old and had never been cleaned other than a hosing down.  They are tough that way.  Well, that sail was an embarassment for sure.  The product that brought it back was "Rit fabric dye brand non clorine color restorer(bleach)"  Little ity bity bottle that cost like it was a big jug.  I rolled that sail and soaked the white mast edge that was black with aluminum oxide and such. Soaked for about an hour.  It came out so white it hurt your eyes in the sunlight.  I then dumped that 5 gal bucket out on the sail that was spread on the lawn and guess what?  Looked like new I swear to Chuck.  Every once in a while when I pass one of those didplays I look for that stuff....haven't seen it in years.  Find it or its industrial equal.  It is safe for "fine fabricks" so I felt ok using it on Dacron and I am sure it will be ok on canvas for Chuck's sake.  Sorry it took so long to remember this but I didn't think about fabrick awnings.

21 foot leak!  You slay me!

HTH,

John

[skihor]

I never tried it on awnings but everything else it seems to work on. Called  "Awsome"
I've found it at the Dollar Store. Has a table on what the dilution for what material you're using it on. It is GREAT at removing streaks from Fiberglass sides.

Don & Sheila