I Can't Get These Awnings Clean!

1

Hey all. I’ve spent 4 nights trying to get these awnings clean (losing money at this point). Anyone know what I need to do?

So far I’ve:

  • 5 rounds of SH, increasing each time from 2% to roughly 7%
  • 3 rounds with EBC All Purpose as my surfactant
  • 2 rounds with Dragon Juice as my surfactant
  • 4 rounds of scrubbing with soft bristle brush
  • 1 round of hitting every square inch with moderate pressure (fan pattern through X-Jet style nozzle)

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2

Can you get up on a ladder and see if they are stains or will come off if you pick at them?

Some times those lichen come off with light pressure, some times light scrubbing with a stiffer brush works.

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3

Honestly man, lichen on a canvas awning will never fully come off, the fabric itself is damaged. It has actual roots.

This is the best you can do. Vinyl is a lot easier.

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4

Agreed. It’s the root system moss and lichen form. As with roofs, moss and lichen always seem to be the most detrimental to surfaces. No matter how well you clean it, you’ll always be able to see the damage.

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5

Yessir. Had my nose right to it. Can’t scratch it away with my fingernail. Guessing I’ll have to tell the client it’s permanent damage :frowning:

6

If you can’t scrape it off, it’s damaged. Just have to let them know they waited too long to clean it.

7

I agree with DC and Delta, you did the best you could. Your job is to clean it, you can’t make it new. One thing I use is a long lance with a 45 degree on the end before I put on the coupler then the X jet, allows me to hold at a 90 degree angle high up on the awning. Again, that awning is doneso.

8

Saw this topic in my email and came in to share some of your knowledge you have passed :slight_smile:

9

When it’s lichen, skip the soft brush and use a regular concrete brush on it once you’ve sprayed it to soften up. Also be sure to spray from bottom side when you’re rinsing, that will help knock some of it off. My favorite is when they have the fringe on them with lichen and you have to go along and hand scrub all of it.

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10

Yeah the fringe is the worst

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