Waxing awning metal

[Mvlawn]

What have you been using to clean and keep the metal wrap on your awning looking new? My coach shines but the metal on the awning is dull and looks old.

[Elkhartjim]

To get a nice shine back you're limited as waxing mine would be almost impossible. I would suggest masking off a large area around the cover and repaint using a good quality spray can paint.

I dread the day I will need to do the same.

[dons2346]

Get yourself some Flitz and a power ball and shine it up.

[Gadget Man]

I'm following this thread because I have the same complaint about my awning arms.

Originally Posted by dons2346

Get yourself some Flitz and a power ball and shine it up.

Have you tried Flitz on your awning arms? Since Flitz is a a metal polish, I'm not sure I would use it on a painted surface, but if you have first hand experience, I'll try it.

After doing a little internet research, I think I may give this stuff a try. It's made mainly for plastics but the application guide says it works well on wiper arms, which are usually made of metal. My only fear is that it will wash off easily and/or require frequent applications.

Craig

[Midniteoyl]

Polish and wax if its painted.. Flitz, Never Dull, etc if its bare...

[dons2346]

Originally Posted by Craig P.

I'm following this thread because I have the same complaint about my awning arms.




Have you tried Flitz on your awning arms? Since Flitz is a a metal polish, I'm not sure I would use it on a painted surface, but if you have first hand experience, I'll try it.

After doing a little internet research, I think I may give this stuff a try. It's made mainly for plastics but the application guide says it works well on wiper arms, which are usually made of metal. My only fear is that it will wash off easily and/or require frequent applications.

Craig

No I haven't tried Flitz on painted surfaces. Somehow, I got the idea you had bare metal instead of paint. ZipDee awnings are bare aluminum and are easily shined with Flitz.

[Steve N Sal]

I'll have to take a better look at ours as it's getting kind of bad. It almost looks like it was painted but it's hard to tell since it's kind of a silver color.

[bandmbrown]

303 protector. Put on a rag and wipe the rail. Use another cloth to wipe dry.
Easy as it gets. Also has uv protectors in it. Great stuff.

[Elkhartjim]

Silly me! I thought all the awning covers were painted like ours. Ours is a sectional cover and to wax, polish or etc would be difficult. That is why I recommended painting. I will use a red scotchbrite to roughen the surface a hold the ladder while Judy paints. She's a much better painter than I am.

[Mvlawn]

So far I have used mcguairs oxidation removal then applied a polish,but the luster is not just not there yet. I will try the 303 today

[RVNeophytes2]

Originally Posted by Elkhartjim

To get a nice shine back you're limited as waxing mine would be almost impossible. I would suggest masking off a large area around the cover and repaint using a good quality spray can paint.

I dread the day I will need to do the same.

I was just up there, yesterday.

Indeed, the modest paint is badly oxidized, even though it still looks good from below on my garaged 2005. A wet rag came away black, from the oxidized paint.

My guess is, while our coaches are painted with thick layers of quality automotive paint and clear-coated, the awning cover got a single coat of black enamel. One that would naturally need to be renewed every once in awhile.

[Gadget Man]

All of this talk about re-painting just gave me an idea. My son is pretty good with a spray paint gun. He agreed to paint all of my outside storage compartment handles to match the coach, as they too are black and badly oxidized. I'm now thinking that I should have him shoot the awning arms as well, that way they will match the color of the coach!

Craig

[CLIFFTALL]

Originally Posted by Craig P.

All of this talk about re-painting just gave me an idea. My son is pretty good with a spray paint gun. He agreed to paint all of my outside storage compartment handles to match the coach, as they too are black and badly oxidized. I'm now thinking that I should have him shoot the awning arms as well, that way they will match the color of the coach!

Craig

My basement latches are fairly oxidized. I put a little WD 40 on a rag and rub it in. A 5 minute job to do all of them and it lasts for a few months.




It might do the same for the awning. I'll check it out if I can borrow a ladder.

[Gadget Man]

Originally Posted by Clifftall

My basement latches are fairly oxidized. I put a little WD 40 on a rag and rub it in. A 5 minute job to do all of them and it lasts for a few months.

I can't seem to get more than a month out of the WD40 application. They look a lot better painted anyway, so I've decided to go that route. They're easy to remove, so it shouldn't be a difficult job. I contacted the handle manufacturer to see if they make my handles in chrome, but unfortunately they don't.

Craig