Thats another problem I have - my awnings dry out in 5 minutes in this sun.
Hi Karlos,
It’s best to not work in the bright/direct sun light (and wind for that matter) because it does dry out the fabric. I try and work early in the morning or in the evenings but it’s not always possible do that, so then you must keep misting the awning with the solution, keeping it damp. I even dampen towels and covered the awning keeping them wet during dwell time. It’s a headache but workable.
Thanks for you comments,
Wayne
Wayne Shockey
Specialized Maintenance & Awning Cleaning Services
P.O. Box 821953, Fort Worth, TX 76182-1953
817-577-9454 - www.AwningCleaningServices.com - [email protected]
pro window kleening , been cleaning awnings for about 14 years or so. Don’t know it all but use only approved chemials for awnings. Keep pressure below 250 psi. Test awning for color fastness. There’s good money above u !! I use a tucker that looks pro and pole with a doddle bug for the top and do it right tool for sealing… Little giaint for valances and lights and mesh.yes you can make better that window cleaning. Here in the north we do spring and fall. We clean awnings in the early mor or late evering. Just to keep the dumbys from walking under it. This is a good add on. Stan, pro window kleening in south dakota
First not bad on that video Wayne… You can cut down on the time by investing in a 12v back pack pump. And lose the ladder for small jobs like that one. Use a “elbow” or even bend and pole at a 30degree angle… (don’t kink it! go to a muffler shop and pay the a few buck to bend an old pole or just buy it like that.)
Scrubbing a small awning needs a small brush. The power washer rince will do more damage then the use of chemical. You should have up’ed the bleach to a 2 and 2 ration and apply it on after you hit it with the chemical. Let it sit and then scrub is small circles from bottom to top. (sunbrell can handle bleach but just test a spot first.) The bleach does the damage on the stiching, but most awning are now fused with a heat press.
The price was not bad… My mim is $150.00.
All in all not a bad job.
As for Sealers
Yes there are some things you can use and make… BUT never try and cut corners on awning cleaning and sealing… Unless your dealing with a awning like is in the video. Regular cleaning does nothing for it. You need to step out side the box.
There are a few different things I’ve done when I was in a pinch for seal and I ended up paying for it the end…
If you run out of sealer and can’t get it then check out a Boating store, they sell the 303 or a Cooley seal.
Take it from me, you MUST use the right stuff even if you are going to cut into your profit! After 15 years, I’ve tried it all… now I just use manufactured approve sealers. And info my customer what to expect… Some awning just need to be replaced!
Part of the things I won from MWCoA this year was some videos for Awning cleaning. I have skimmed the book and watched the video once. But this thread awakened a sleeping giant!
Thanks Wayne and all for the information. Tomorrow I’m going to watch the video completely and read the booklet.
Thanks again! 
Lend me that video Dwight, NOW 
I most certainly will Carlos. Let me get what I need from it and I will pass it on to you. E-mail me your mailing address.
Thank you for your comments and suggestions. Always good to get your input and have another point of view.
I have a few new videos up at Youtube on awning cleaning if you want to check them out.
http://www.youtube.com/user/AwningCleaning
Have a great day.
Wayne :o)
Wayne, I was curious about the rinsing applicator you were using in the first video. Looks like a pressure washing gun with just a soap/rinse nozzle. I’m I right? I have a few spare parts laying around. I’d like to make one.
Hi JetCity,
Yes, I often use a small pressure washer, that has a water pressure adjustment. I just attach a 15% 7.5 tip to the gun. The water pressure leaving the tip is low enough to not hurt the awning fabric but does a great job rinsing.
Wayne
Good to know
I have a 3700psi 4 gpm pressure washer. Is there a way to regulate the pressure without losing my gpm? I guess I could just turn the throttle back and use a (black) low pressure rinse tip.
Cheers Wayne!
Hi JetCity,
I’m not sure about turning down the pressure on your large powerwasher, except as your mention by changing the tip to a larger opening like a soaping tip. Mine is just a small cold water unit - 2300 psi at 2.9 gpm. I mainly use it to rinse the awnings after hand brushing/cleaning them. Sometimes, I do have to use a little pressure to get some stubborn stains off, but I’m VERY careful not to blow holes in the fabric by keeping the powerwashing tip not too close to the awning.
I hope this information helps.
The best to you,
Wayne
“It’s just an Awning, it’s your Image!”
Sure does
Thanks
Don’t use your throttle to adjust pressure. PW engines are air-cooled and must be run at full speed to avoid damage.
Use larger orifice tips to decrease pressure.
Noted
Thank you.
