Tips for cleaning awning rail?

[CrewOVtwo]

How do people clean their awning rail channel?

Most of the grubby dark streaks on my van seem to eminate from it, so I was considering giving it a thorough clean.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Clean it all you like, you will still get black streaks

 

[CrewOVtwo]

Oh heck.

I gave the van a first good clean today and when I was rinsing off with the hosepipe, I was alarmed at the amount of black bits / crap that came sliding down my previously good handy work.

 

[Mr Plodd]

You can get a "special" brush to clean out the awning rail, like this

CARAVAN AWNING RAIL CLEANING BRUSH motorhome lubricating brush | eBay

Make easy work of cleaning your awning rail channel with this 'high quality' brush.

www.ebay.co.uk

But a standard bottle brush, bent a bit so you can slide it along the rail works just as well. Cleaning the channel out is the first task before washing the caravan.

You can get some awning rail protector, which is like the beading used to attach an awning with a strip of canvas attached to it. Like below.

Maypole MP951 12M White Caravan Awning Rail Protector | Euro Car Parts

Maypole MP951 12M White Caravan Awning Rail Protector at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.

www.eurocarparts.com

I have not used the stuff, but there are a lot if places selling it, so I assume it works

 

[Beardy]

How do people clean their awning rail channel?

Most of the grubby dark streaks on my van seem to eminate from it, so I was considering giving it a thorough clean.

The right sized brush (you can buy an awning rail brush) and car shampoo. I can recommend awning rail protectors, they reduce black streaks significantly.

Edit as my link didn't work and Mr Plod was quicker on the keyboard anyway.

 

[borderbilly]

Being a tight Jock, was wondering if thickish paracord would do instead of the rail protectors, maybe fiddly to fit.

 

[RogerL]

Being a tight Jock, was wondering if thickish paracord would do instead of the rail protectors, maybe fiddly to fit.

Proper awning rail protectors include enough material to push the water from the roof away from the sides - a cord in the channel wouldn't do that although it would keep the channel clear.

 

[JTQ]

"Scrap" awning skirt pieces cut down to have about a 30mm skirt will do, in stowage at least.
Seen bundles of bits from used awnings in our local dealers over the years.

Anyway who ever implied our hobby was in any form "cheap", like many indulgences it is a money pit, the more so for the those who are avid, must have gadget collectors.