How to Maintain your Damaged RV Awning Before You Sell Your Luxury Vehicle
Are you asking yourself who will help sell my RV? The answer is very simple. A well-maintained RV will sell itself. All you need to do is make the necessary repairs and focus on a few inexpensive upgrades. How about beginning with the awnings?
Awnings are a great add-on to any home-on-wheels, but they’re continuously exposed to external elements like the sun, rain, dirt, dust, or road debris, especially when you have been exploring the countryside and stopped by camping grounds.Now that you have decided to sell your motor home and want prospective buyers to show interest in your rig, you must take care of your awning before a customer visits for a personal inspection. A little care and preventive maintenance can go a long way in sealing the deal since awnings do not require much upkeep. We have put together a few tips and ideas to fix the RV awnings in no time.
Start with a Meticulous Inspection
Do a thorough inspection of the awning to detect excessive wear and tear in the fabric. Consult an expert to understand what material you should use to patch the damaged areas. Look at the base awning brackets support and hardware closely. Check whether the end caps and lag screws are secured in their place for a safe mount. The brackets need fixing since they bear most of the load from your RV awning. Avoid removing the end caps yourself since spring pressure may hurt you if you do not know how to handle it the right way. It is better to take the assistance of an RV technician to do the job. Fix damaged or loose rivets and enlarged holes. Do not forget the arm pivot holes. Ensure that the awning rail is safely mounted to the side of the vehicle.
Clean Your Awning
You know that an RV awning attracts a lot of dirt, dust, and road debris. Therefore, deep clean the fabric with commercial cleaners available in the market. Avoid cleaning it with a corrosive or an oil-based product.Choose manufacturer recommended products and start cleaning after reading the instructions carefully. But what are you supposed to do when your RV awning has mildew stains? Cleaning a standard fabric with a water hose keeps spots or blemishes at bay, but you should avoid scrubbing an acrylic material as it may damage its water repellantcoating. Use only good quality cleaners and apply it to the acrylic material using a soft cloth or sponge.
If you have a vinyl awning, clean it with water, a soft brush, and a mild detergent. Vinyl, just as acrylic material, should not be scrubbed hard as that may damage the coating. Take good care of your vinyl awning because it is mildew resistant.
These cleaners are easy to use, and you can apply them on the outer and inner side of the fabric. Allow some time to let the liquid soak. Roll the awning up to use the cleaner over the whole surface. Wait for some time, gently rub the fabric, and rinse the material thoroughly on both the sides.
Keep the Awning Dry
Avoid storing the awning if the material is soaked or wet. A damp material will result in mold or mildew development. Make sure you keep it dry to avoid fabric deterioration. Once you are through with cleaning the awning, let it dry for sometime under the sun. Make sure it is dry on both sides before you store the same.
Once you know how to take care of your motor home accessories such as awnings, you don’t have to ask yourself who will help sell my RV. Remember these simple maintenance tips and keep your rig in top shape to attract prospective buyers.