How to keep Awning from mildew?

jeanneross10 · 03-07-2013, 10:31 AM

Hello everyone,
Since we are new to the camper/trailer world we have been reading the material on our T2104. The question is as stated. How do you keep your Awning from mildew, example is it has rained or is raining the day you leave the campgrounds to head home. We do not have space in our yard so we have a storage facility where we keep the camper/trailer. If it is wet, how do you keep it from mildew. We can not ask the storage facility to keep an eye on our camper/trailer while it is opened to dry out on the next sunny day. I've heard of people using a mop or such an item to wipe it down, but if it is raining the day we close up then what?
Thanks
Erin

jim44646 · 03-07-2013, 04:02 PM

Welcome to forum
that's the age old question. Even rolled up water enters at the ends and moves all the way across awning and starts molding. there are awning covers (quite expensive) don't know if they work. You can also buy thin drain pipe and make your own by cutting length wise down center and slipping over awning. I use a product called Mold Armor ( Home Depot) seems to help remove stains and prevend mold.

Ham Radio Op · 03-07-2013, 06:32 PM

Hi and Welcome to the Sunline owners club (SOC). The cover on the previous response is new to me. I've been fortunate to have a chance to dry our awning when we get home if it's wet, so I haven't had this problem. I hope you have many opportunities to enjoy your new to you Sunline. Again, Welcome!!

Chuck & Joy · 03-08-2013, 10:43 AM

We agree with Jim - Mold Armour is great at removing mildew stains from the camper, just be sure not to get it on your clothing. Someone recommended that we put automobile wax on the awning to protect it, but we haven't tried that yet.

wrigger · 07-30-2014, 04:52 PM

I just read this thanks for the tip. I will have to visit Home Depot.

jim44646 · 07-30-2014, 05:54 PM

There are 2. Mold Armor and Mold Blocker . I use 1 st to clean 2nd to protect. I was ask this week at campground how I kept awning so clean

**Sunline Fan** · 07-30-2014, 09:03 PM

Mine doesn't get real dirty/damp since it's stored inside, but I do have to occasionally clean the awning every other year or so. I use a mix of one part bleach, one part lemon Joy dish soap (must be lemon Joy), and then fill the bucket with water. Mop it on both sides, scrubbing makes it easier, then roll the awning up. Come back 5-10 mins later and hose it off. You might need to clean it again, but letting it sit helps save a lot of work.

Gene · 07-31-2014, 07:28 PM

Similar to Sunline Fan but I use Clorox Kitchen Cleanup with bleach and a long handle car wash brush.

Mine does stay outside but doesn't get bad over the Winter .... must be all the acid rain.

**JohnB** · 08-01-2014, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunline Fan

I use a mix of one part bleach, one part lemon Joy dish soap (must be lemon Joy), and then fill the bucket with water.

One caution to add to Jon's note as a friendly heads up. READ the label on the Joy or whatever dish soap you use. Some Joy products I know personally contain ammonia and ammonia and bleach create a harmful gas reaction. While I knew this, I relearned it the hard way. Point: Not all dish soap is created equal. The label in fine print most times state, do not use with bleach. Again in “most” cases.

The Joy soap we had was Joy “something”. Had extra cleaning power or something and it caught me off guard. The plain jane Joy soap may have been OK

**JohnB** · 08-01-2014, 11:58 AM

To the original topic, Jim is right about the age old problem...

a product called "Wet and Forget" has been used by some to offset this issue as reported on the camper forums http://wetandforget.com/

I myself have not used it on the awning, yet, but since finding the tip, I use it on the vinyl siding of my house and concrete and it is amazing. Some hardware stores and lumber yards now sell it. It is rated to last up to a year before retreatment is needed.

I also made an awning cover out of 4" PVC pipe on the T2499. Worked great to keep water out. But the T310 is a smidge larger in OD and the cover would not work on it. So now I use it as a sewer hose pipe holder... I have seen folks use 4" U shaped plastic gutter, I have seen these in the lumber yards, cost about ~ $8 a 10 foot length. If this is of interest, let me know I'll hunt up the pics.

Last fall we put up the "ultimate" mold reducer and black streak preventer. A pole barn big enough to put the camper in.

Long time coming, but finally made it.

Gene · 08-01-2014, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnb

....
last fall we put up the "ultimate" mold reducer and black streak preventer. A pole barn big enough to put the camper in.

.....

pictures ! ! !

jim44646 · 08-01-2014, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnB

To the original topic, Jim is right about the age old problem...

a product called "Wet and Forget" has been used by some to offset this issue as reported on the camper forums http://wetandforget.com/

I myself have not used it on the awning, yet, but since finding the tip, I use it on the vinyl siding of my house and concrete and it is amazing. Some hardware stores and lumber yards now sell it. It is rated to last up to a year before retreatment is needed.

I also made an awning cover out of 4" PVC pipe on the T2499. Worked great to keep water out. But the T310 is a smidge larger in OD and the cover would not work on it. So now I use it as a sewer hose pipe holder... I have seen folks use 4" U shaped plastic gutter, I have seen these in the lumber yards, cost about ~ $8 a 10 foot length. If this is of interest, let me know I'll hunt up the pics.

Last fall we put up the "ultimate" mold reducer and black streak preventer. A pole barn big enough to put the camper in.

Long time coming, but finally made it.

The spot next to your T310 is reserved for mine

**JohnB** · 08-02-2014, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnb ....
last fall we put up the "ultimate" mold reducer and black streak preventer. A pole barn big enough to put the camper in. .....

Gene Said:

pictures ! ! !

Gee pics, who wants to see them....LOL

OK, give me a bit I'll get some up. Oddly enough this past weekend we had a really bad wind and rain storm, it literally blew in a commercial heavy duty over head door

Neighbors house had heavy blown in water damage and his son's house next to him had a tree blow down on his new camper sitting in the yard... What a mess...

Gene · 08-03-2014, 08:11 PM

OUCH!! I heard there was some bad weather out there.