A caravan awning takes rain, sun, bird droppings, tree sap and green growth from damp shade every season. Pack it away wet and within a month the bag will show mildew spots while the steel poles start to rust.
You can easily look after an awning yourself. Do it after every trip and always before winter storage: the canvas, groundsheet, frame, guy lines and clear windows all matter.
What you will need
Important: Do not apply lubricant to the canvas itself or the clear windows. Test silicone on a hidden part of a zip or bead first. Use harsh products (vinegar, alcohol, bleach) on mildew only if tent cleaner has failed.
Step 1
Check the condition of the awning
Lay the awning out and inspect it in daylight. Faded panels, marks along folds and condensation inside look bad but do not affect how the awning works.
Changes in the fabric itself are the real danger: if it has become brittle, porous or torn, care will only slow down the wear. In that case plan to replace the awning.
Step 2
Clean the canvas
Brush cotton and polycotton, ideally dry. Coated PVC or acrylic fabrics can be washed gently with warm water and a soft brush, using diluted tent cleaner on stubborn dirt.
Treat green algae and moss with a dedicated remover from a spray bottle: after about a day it dies off and rinses away. Try tent cleaner on mildew spots first.
Step 3
Inspect and clean the frame
Check the poles for rust and bends. Replace poles that no longer support the awning or are hard to assemble, and consider switching to aluminium.
Remove light rust on steel with sandpaper, then prime and paint. Poles, guy lines and windows usually only need a wipe with a damp soft cloth.
Step 4
Lubricate the poles and joints
Apply WD-40 Smart Straw to dry steel poles and telescopic clamps: a precise jet through the straw onto joints, a wide spray along longer sections. It displaces moisture and protects metal from corrosion, and the poles go together and come apart more easily.
Wipe off the excess after a few minutes so it does not mark the canvas when you pack it.
Step 5
Look after the zips and bead
The zips in the awning walls and the bead that slides into the caravan rail are easy to treat with WD-40 Specialist Silicone. Spray a little onto a cloth, wipe the teeth and bead, then open and close the zip several times.
Silicone keeps plastic and rubber from drying out, and the awning slides into the rail much more easily next time.
Step 6
Dry and fold it properly
The awning and poles must be completely dry before packing. Take the poles apart so they can dry inside.
Fold the canvas carefully without sharp creases and store it separately from the poles in a dry, ventilated place rather than a damp garage.
Tip: Reproofing the canvas with a water repellent after cleaning helps dirt slide off, so you will need to wash the awning less often. Do it in dry, warm weather so it has time to cure.
What next
Give the awning a full service after every trip and before winter, and treat the poles with WD-40 Smart Straw at the start of the season too. WD-40 Specialist Silicone is also handy for the caravan's own zips and rubber seals.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».