Awning Cleaning

Sponsored by

WINSOL Laboratories

Awning Cleaning

• WINSOL Laboratories of Seattle, WA founded in 1970 is a chemical compounding company producing nearly 500 cleaning products.

• WINSOL has worked closely with other vinyl manufacturers and the makers of open weave fabrics.

Awning Cleaning

• WINSOL’s way to try and simplify the nuts and bolts of awning maintenance is to break down the industry these two primary fields:

– Vinyl awnings

– Fabric awnings

Awning Cleaning

• Awnings became popular after the 1040’s as new vinyl became available.

• Then grew in popularity in the 70’s and 80’s as a form of storefront advertising that avoided the cost and expense of a dedicated sign.

Awning Cleaning

For companies such as • Applebee's • Boston Market• Subway• Blockbuster or any of dozens of others

Awnings are a proven way to distinguish their business from others at a glance.

Awning Cleaning

What to Avoid

Vinyl is a petroleum derivative and as such is easily damaged by solvents.

So Avoid Degreasers

IE: No Simple Green or Solvents

Nothing with “Oil” in it

Awning Cleaning

What to Avoid– Avoid Abrasives and other gritty cleaners– Avoid Power Washing

• This can blow off lettering• Stretch the vinyl and cause puckering• Damage stitching• Blast the dirt deeper into the surface

Awning Cleaning

Cleaning Basics

• All Awnings will be approached the same.

– Cleaning to remove the dirt– Preservation or Sealing

Awning Cleaning

Awnings are cleaned for a number of reasons.

1. Appearance

2. Warranty Maintenance

3. Enhanced Longevity1. UV Degradation

2. Weakened fabric/vinyl

Awning Cleaning

Products• Deep Clean

• All Fabrics and vinyl

• Awning Guard 690+• Fabric Sealer

• Awning Armor• Vinyl Sealer

• Awning Cleaner and Protectant• Vinyl Cleaner and Sealer in one

Awning Cleaning

Deep Clean - Cleaning Basics

Cleaning to remove the dirt– Formulated to insure no damage– Tested on hundreds of Fabrics and Vinyls

• Removing dirt and stains from the surface• Preparing the awning for the preservation step

Awning Cleaning

Tips• This is a hand washing process. • Whether you are using a hand brush, an extension pole

or an automated delivery system:– It is essential to control the amount of pressure and

scrubbing action that is used.

• First time you are cleaning? Spot testing the awnings and graphics/lettering to see that they are color safe.

– Sometime a sign painters will paint on a logos using latex paint.

• Wash awnings from the bottom up – This avoids clean streaks

• Overlap scrubbed areas to help eliminate brush marks.

Awning Cleaning

Tips• When it comes to hand tools anything that will

help generate bubbles is usable as long as it doesn’t scratch the surface.

• This includes – sponges, soft bristle brushes (nylon is usually best)– cotton towels – 3M doodle pads.

• When using 3M pads remember the darker the color the more abrasive the pad. It is best to limit yourself to the white or yellow pads.

Awning Cleaning

• And please be careful with ladders.

• If a ladder is allowed to rub against an awning. The ladder can quickly abrade and wear through the material stretched over the frame.

• (Practice Ladder Safety)

Ladder Safety(Don’t do this)

Water and Electricity don’t

mix.

Ladder Safety

(Don’t do this) Even though he has

three points of contact.

(foot on wire)

Awning Cleaning

Deep Clean - Cleaning Basics

Is safe for removing most heavy soils and streaking.

Effective on both vinyl and woven fabrics.

Will not pull color from inked awnings and restores original beauty

Awning Cleaning

Use a premixed solution in

1) A pump up sprayer

2) A Chemical sprayer System

Awning Cleaning

• Preservation - Min. Once per Year– Fabrics

• Sealing the awning• UV Protection

– Vinyl• Plasticizer rejuvenation• Sealing• UV Protection

Awning Cleaning

• Awning Guard 690+– For Fabric Awnings

• A moisture and stain repellent for any type of woven outdoor fabric.

• Makes it more difficult for soils or moss and mold to enter the fabric weave.

• Will not wash out or discolor.

Awning Cleaning

• Awning Armor– This vinyl protectant increases awning life and

prevents sun damage to ink and dyes.– Maximizes protection from sun, birds, run-off

and all types of pollution– Restores suppleness, color – Provides UV protection– Reintroduce lost plasticizer

Awning Cleaning

• Awning Cleaner and Protectant

This product is designed for regular cleaning of vinyl fabrics used most often where the Awning is cleaned on a regular schedule.– Cleans light to moderately dirty awnings– Reduces color loss and fading – Reintroduces lost plasticizers – Offers improved UV protection– Maintains vinyl suppleness

increasing the awnings effective life span

Awning Cleaning

• So what does all this mean to you ?

• There is 35% growth in the North American production of awning fabric since 1994.

• Industry analysts foresee a 7% annual gain for the at least the next 5 years with 20 Million yards sold.

• Perhaps the largest is the marine industry. – The cleaning and waterproofing of boat covers, seats, and sails

make for a lucrative business. – The latest figures show that about 42 million yards were sold in

this market alone.

• Another market for vinyl fabric is the soft sided truck covers, which because of their light weight; they translate to higher profits for truckers.

• This is becoming a very competitive market with companies striving to make lighter and lighter fabrics that can still provide both the tensile and tear strength needed as well as providing as long a life span as possible.

• The benefit for professional cleaners is that this extended life span translates into more soiling and more opportunities for cleaning.

• This market accounts for 15 million yards sold.

Awning Cleaning

• This can be a year round business and in some cases many companies do most of their cleaning during the winter.

• Remember that the use of awnings as a for business advertising means they have some awareness as to the appearance.

• And that the cost of an awning enhances the importance of extending the awnings life span.