Awning Rail White rubber discoloured

[JimC]

The rail on my 3 year old Lunar Lexon has gone a yellowish colour with a slightly rough surface. Does anyone have experience of cleaning this as it spoils the look of the caravan.What is the best thing to clean it with?

Regards Jim

 

[WatsonJohnG]

You can get a replacement plastic insert from most dealers but take a bit of the old with you as they vary in size

Soak it in warm water for easier fitting

 

[WatsonJohnG]

You can get a replacement plastic insert from most dealers but take a bit of the old with you as they vary in size

Soak it in warm water for easier fitting

http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/caravan/caravan_accessories/rubber_and_plastic_trim/Herzim_Strip_110_infill_for_aluminim_extrusions.aspx

 

[Lutz]

Yes, discolouration is due to weathering and no amount of cleaning will remove it. The only solution is to replace the plastic insert, as JohnG says.

 

[Garfield]

This is a typical example of penny pinching or simply devious manufacturers using inappropriate materials for the job, I worked in the plastics industry research and development for 15 years, a lot of my time was spent evaluating UV stabilisers and weathering.

Our last Lunar and our present Lunar both suffered from UV degradation of the rail screw cover strip and the manouvering handles and there is simply no excuse for this! the cost of the additives to prevent degradation or simply using polymers that are more resistant to UV is negligible, sometimes the additives cost no more than the polymer they are added to. Like cars, if our caravans were made to stay looking good and be reliable they would cost only a little more but fewer people would buy new ones then.

 

[emmitdb]

Greetings Jim C,

Been there, done that, got the T shirt,

Buy a bottle of Meths, (NO! not for drinking)!!!

Rub the offending plastic with said meths and you will find that the plastic turns back to white.

The problem is, I don't remember how I discovered it but it does work on Lexons.

 

[JimC]

Thanks for the useful replies from everyone. I will try the cleaning with Meths as suggested by Del, it wont cost me anything as I have a bottle in the shed.

My local dealer says to replace it will cost about

 

[JimC]

We went away this weekend to Buxton. I started to clean the awning plastic insert as suggested by Del. It was a bit tedious but after about 2 hours using the Meths and a Green and Yellow pan scrubber, cleaning with the green rough side, the plastic is back to white as good as new.

Cost of the Meths