What is an awning's worst enemy? Most would assume it is the strong Arizona sun. Not so. Believe it or not, dirt, dust and smog will do the most harm to your awnings through a process called acidizing. Here's a quick test to identify the condition of your awning fabric. Fan spray water from a hose on your awning. When your awning is new, you will notice the water will bead off the fabric, much like water off a waxed car. If the water soaks into the fabric, this indicates your awning no longer has a barrier protecting it from the elements. In other words, if the water soaks in, the protective coating has diminished and needs to be professionally replaced. If water soaks into the fabric, so can dirt, dust, smog, bird droppings, etc. When these elements settle onto the fabric and are left unattended, causing acidizing, the fabric will begin to thin out more rapidly. The awning will need to be professionally cleaned and treated to restore its protective coating.
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