We have a Dometic (A&E marked on lower arms) awning and cleaning is different depending if you have Vinyl OR Woven Acrylic Fabric.
Recommendations are as follows:
VINYL - Mix 1/4 cup dish wash soap, 1/4 cup bleach & 25 litres water,,,, soap the open awning (ie outside) roll up and let stand for 5 minutes. Unroll and hose off both sides. Repeat if requied.
WOVEN ACRYLIC - is breathable and water repellant so cleaning is ,,,, rinse off and let it dry DO NOT SCRUB and DO NOT TOUCH UNDERSIDE WHEN WET as it will encorage seepage through the awning.
So need to establish the material to clean it seems.
Hope this helps, Cheers Baz
-- Edited by Baz421 on Tuesday 27th of August 2013 02:34:49 PM
briche said
02:36 PM Aug 27, 2013
Hey Peter we have a bottle of something that is really good for removing glue from almost any surface the trouble is we are not at the van and I cannot remember its name. When we get back I will PM you with the details, it works very well
briche
-- Edited by briche on Tuesday 27th of August 2013 02:36:35 PM
peter45 said
08:05 PM Aug 27, 2013
Hi all. Sorting out our first purchase of a second hand coromal compac 401 pop top van. We can, mainly thanks to Duh, actually put the awning up now - no help from the previous owners, and found they had glued velcro along one edge. I have removed the ultra sticky velcro but there is a lot of really sticky glue on the top and bottom edge. We are trying eucalyptus oil to try and remove the glue from the vynal awning, a slow process and not completely working. Turps got the glues off my hands so would turps be ok to use on the awning?
Also lots of stains underneath the awning (didn't know this as the previous owners had the van parked so couldn't pull out the awning. Would hot soapy water be the best, or is there something better. Not sure what the stains are, could be from cooking underneath the awning.
Thanks for any advice,
Peter and Kate.
Dougwe said
08:22 PM Aug 27, 2013
I don't see why turps or similar wouldn't be ok. Maybe try on a small section first. When finished give a good wash with a product called ' Simple Green'. You can get it from the cleaning section at Bunnings. You could also try a good truck wash.
Gwian said
08:46 PM Aug 27, 2013
We used RV awning clean available from caravan shops ( about $20) but it took most of our stains off and the rest were greatly reduced.
Gerty Dancer said
09:42 PM Aug 27, 2013
Are the stains mould? If so a wash top and bottom (vinyl) with about a cup of vinegar to a bucket of water will make it lovely. Spray off with clean water if you can and allow to dry completely before rolling up. I've found a squeegee floor mop makes light work of this but you need to a step to do the bit at the top.
Duh said
10:52 PM Aug 27, 2013
You could use "Goof Off" the miracle remover for adhesives and glue, oil and tar, sap and dried latex paint, says it can be used on vinyl, there are also similar products, mine was obtained from Bunning to remove some tough road grime off the side of my vehicle that even truck wash would not move. If you do try it, use on a small patch first to see how it goes. Bunnings also have a range of similar products you could suss out.
Like someone said already, do not scrub the awning as it would destroy the waterproofing qualities and strength of the fabric. Other than a wash with mild detergents or a solution of vinegar and water for mildew, awnings are best left alone, except always make sure they are rolled fully out and dried out properly after rain etc to avoid mildew.
Dougwe said
11:32 PM Aug 27, 2013
Sorry all, I tried to copy a bit of Duh's comment above and move to idegress but couldn't and can't help myself so sorry again.
Wombat 'Goofs Off' all the time.
Yeh I know but I did say sorry.
Duh said
12:39 AM Aug 28, 2013
We'll forgive you Doug....this time..........but Wombat wouldn't! .
peter45 said
12:40 AM Aug 28, 2013
Wow, thanks everyone, great info. Working on it, I think we have it beaten.
I think I'll start making notes!
Cheers.
Hylda&Jon said
01:48 AM Aug 28, 2013
Not sure it's been mentioned but nail polish remover could be a possibility too.
Duh said
08:08 AM Aug 28, 2013
Lets know how you get on with it Peter and what you eventually used please.
herbie said
05:29 PM Aug 28, 2013
A bloke was telling me not so long ago that he was told to use alcohol to remove glue from his tent, he only had Vodka so used that and he said it worked a treat.
But if there is a lot of glue to remove it may work out a little expensive.
Nelly said
01:34 AM Aug 29, 2013
I think you can buy an alcohol cleaner (supermarket?) - maybe would be cheaper than the vodka - you may get to a stage and say one for the awning and 2 for me!!! lol happy camping.
Hylda&Jon said
06:05 AM Aug 29, 2013
Drop by my place if you want some alcohol. Before diluting down to 40% to make my bourbon. the alcohol I make, after distilling, is 90% which would do the job perfectly.
herbie said
06:36 PM Aug 29, 2013
Thanks for the invite.we all will be around this week end .
Do not use nail varnish remover as it melts plastic, it is used in the fibreglass industry as a cleaner and solvent.
I have also read somewhere that truck wash is not suitable as again it is very aggressive.
I used some nappysan equivalent to remove some pretty nasty tree sap to great success, using the mix with a magic sponge (the white foam one's). Then rinsing well with plenty of water.
Hi Pete & Kate
We have a Dometic (A&E marked on lower arms) awning and cleaning is different depending if you have Vinyl OR Woven Acrylic Fabric.
Recommendations are as follows:
VINYL - Mix 1/4 cup dish wash soap, 1/4 cup bleach & 25 litres water,,,, soap the open awning (ie outside) roll up and let stand for 5 minutes. Unroll and hose off both sides. Repeat if requied.
WOVEN ACRYLIC - is breathable and water repellant so cleaning is ,,,, rinse off and let it dry DO NOT SCRUB and DO NOT TOUCH UNDERSIDE WHEN WET as it will encorage seepage through the awning.
So need to establish the material to clean it seems.
Hope this helps, Cheers Baz
-- Edited by Baz421 on Tuesday 27th of August 2013 02:34:49 PM
Hey Peter we have a bottle of something that is really good for removing glue from almost any surface the trouble is we are not at the van and I cannot remember its name. When we get back I will PM you with the details, it works very well
briche
-- Edited by briche on Tuesday 27th of August 2013 02:36:35 PM
Hi all. Sorting out our first purchase of a second hand coromal compac 401 pop top van. We can, mainly thanks to Duh, actually put the awning up now - no help from the previous owners, and found they had glued velcro along one edge. I have removed the ultra sticky velcro but there is a lot of really sticky glue on the top and bottom edge. We are trying eucalyptus oil to try and remove the glue from the vynal awning, a slow process and not completely working. Turps got the glues off my hands so would turps be ok to use on the awning?
Also lots of stains underneath the awning (didn't know this as the previous owners had the van parked so couldn't pull out the awning. Would hot soapy water be the best, or is there something better. Not sure what the stains are, could be from cooking underneath the awning.
Thanks for any advice,
Peter and Kate.
You could use "Goof Off" the miracle remover for adhesives and glue, oil and tar, sap and dried latex paint, says it can be used on vinyl, there are also similar products, mine was obtained from Bunning to remove some tough road grime off the side of my vehicle that even truck wash would not move. If you do try it, use on a small patch first to see how it goes. Bunnings also have a range of similar products you could suss out.
Like someone said already, do not scrub the awning as it would destroy the waterproofing qualities and strength of the fabric. Other than a wash with mild detergents or a solution of vinegar and water for mildew, awnings are best left alone, except always make sure they are rolled fully out and dried out properly after rain etc to avoid mildew.
Sorry all, I tried to copy a bit of Duh's comment above and move to idegress but couldn't and can't help myself so sorry again.
Wombat 'Goofs Off' all the time.
Yeh I know but I did say sorry.
We'll forgive you Doug....this time..
........but Wombat wouldn't! 
.
I think I'll start making notes!
Cheers.
Not sure it's been mentioned but nail polish remover could be a possibility too.
Lets know how you get on with it Peter and what you eventually used please.
A bloke was telling me not so long ago that he was told to use alcohol to remove glue from his tent, he only had Vodka so used that and he said it worked a treat.
But if there is a lot of glue to remove it may work out a little expensive.
Drop by my place if you want some alcohol. Before diluting down to 40% to make my bourbon. the alcohol I make, after distilling, is 90% which would do the job perfectly.
Thanks for the invite.we all will be around this week end .
I have also read somewhere that truck wash is not suitable as again it is very aggressive.
I used some nappysan equivalent to remove some pretty nasty tree sap to great success, using the mix with a magic sponge (the white foam one's). Then rinsing well with plenty of water.