Sealing a Stained RV Awning

[Ohiosnowbird]

Our main awning needs to be cleaned and we were wondering if it can be sealed. Our awning has pollen stains and other stains from just normal use. Just sitting in the yard is picks up algae stains (we don’t have air conditioning in our off grid cabin so we sleep in the camper all summer because of the excellent AC). We extend the awning to provide shade, it picks up the algae from our humidity. We want to prevent this in the future. We’re looking at using 303 Fabric guard for marine fabrics. Anyone preserved their awning by sealing it? What did you use?

Thanks.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Your signature says it's a 2023 RV so I'm going to assume it is acrylic rather than vinyl or canvas. Yes it can and should be sealed periodically to keep it waterproof, but since yours is already grubby you will want to clean it first. It has to be washed first.

Cleaning:

1. Wet is down with a hose (both sides)
2. Using a bucket of warm soapy water (Dawn or other dish detergent works well) and a soft bristle brush, work the sudsy solution into both sides. Use about 3 oz of soap per gallon, and if there are stains, add a cup of bleach. I suggest rolling up the awning with the soapy solution and let it soak for 15-30 minutes
3. Unroll the awning and rinse well
4. Let it air-dry thoroughly
5. Apply an acrylic fabric treatment like 303 Marine Fabric Guard or Starbright Awning Protectant.

 

[Kirk]

I always used Starbright Awning Protectant.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Count me in as a fan of 303 products.

For cleaning my vinyl awnings, I've always used Super Clean concentrate, sold at Walmart and Automotive stores in one-gallon purple jugs by Castrol. For use, I keep it in a one-quart spray bottle, diluted . I wet the awning with a hose, spray the SC onto the awning, scrub with a soft-bristle broom, then rinse with a hose. On the underside, I'll wear goggles and an old shirt to wash because you do get wet. Topside is a little easier standing on the roof, again using a soft-bristle broom. I have had neighbors who also own campers come over and ask me what I use to wash my awning.

Super Clean is my go-to cleaning product. Great for black streaks and bugs, but be careful, it'll remove wax coatings too. If my tires on my motorhome get really muddy, there's nothing like SC to clean them. It is also a great degreaser, and my secret weapon for getting out stains on laundry when Shout, Oxiclean, and others won't touch oily stains.

 

[Firstime RVer]

I'm not sure what the material is, but for the last few years, we spray the mildew stained portions of our awning with a mix of 1 cup of bleach to one gallon of water. Wait for approximately one hour, rinse it all off and use a sponge mop to wipe off anything that remains, and give it a final rinse.
Been doing it every year for the last 9 years, and it still looks very good.
Safe travels and all the best.

 

[Ohiosnowbird]

Thanks for the replies! We got the 301 stuff and plan to get back to that. The power washer we were using blew the electricity in the RV and we’re dead in the water. I’ll start another thread for that little problem.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Power washing an awning involves a high risk of damage to the material, but done cautiously it works well. Personally, I would nor risk it.

 

[Ohiosnowbird]

Power washing an awning involves a high risk of damage to the material, but done cautiously it works well. Personally, I would nor risk it.

The power washer purchased is for detailing cars. It’s been quite nice for cleaning all kinds of things you couldn’t with the other kind, lawn furniture was the best thing so far:

Adam's Pro-Series Pressure Washer 2.0

Unit Only Selection DOES NOT Include A Hose Or Snub Nose Sprayer. Includes FREE Shipping in the Continental US. (Valued at $80+). Adam’s Pro Pressure Washer 2.0 has taken all we have learned over two plus decades of detailing knowledge and expertise, and combined them into a powerful long-...

adamspolishes.com

 

[DutchmenSport]

I've been using Mr. Clean Magic Erasers on my awnings since they were first invented. Yes, it takes a little effort reaching up. But the end result is a clean, bright awning that will not burn black or mildew for a couple years or more. A simple wipe with a good wet Mr. Clean, then spray off with a garden hose sprayer. Dirt and black melts right off.

If sealing, you can use any tent fabric sealer on the top side of the awning. I never spray mine on the bottom, only the top.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The power washer purchased is for detailing cars. It’s been quite nice for cleaning all kinds of things you couldn’t with the other kind, lawn furniture was the best thing so far:

Adam's Pro-Series Pressure Washer 2.0

Unit Only Selection DOES NOT Include A Hose Or Snub Nose Sprayer. Includes FREE Shipping in the Continental US. (Valued at $80+). Adam’s Pro Pressure Washer 2.0 has taken all we have learned over two plus decades of detailing knowledge and expertise, and combined them into a powerful long-...

adamspolishes.com

That's a 1200 psi pump, so still enough pressure to cause damage to soft fabric if a needle or narrow angle spray tip is used and held too close. No problem if you know what you are doing, but a newbie with pressure spray equipment could make an expensive mistake. Thus the precautionary warning.