Zip Dee Awning
Maintenance
Fabric Care
The beautiful fabric of your Zip Dee awning is made of acrylic fibers which cannot rot or mildew. Your awning can be rolled up wet if necessary, but be sure to open it up to dry as soon as possible.
The acrylic fabric of your awning is a synthetic and cannot support mildew or other plant growth. However, mildew can find a home on any pollen, grain dust, plant spores, or other airborne plant material that can accumulate on the awning. If mildew forms on any of these elements, it can leave a stain which can be unsightly and difficult to remove, even though it will not weaken the fabric itself. To minimize the chance of a stain, keep your awning as clean and dry as possible by hosing it down frequently between seasonal washing .
Any fabric can be punctured or tom by sharp edges that scrape or rub against it. In installations where this contact occurs, be sure to install the Zip Dee door roller at the top outer corner of the door to prevent awning damage. The rollers are inexpensive and will not be noticed on the door.
Washing
On a monthly basis, loosen hardened dirt and dust with a dry, medium bristle brush, then thoroughly rinse both top and bottom with a hose. For more stubborn stains, use a mild solution of 1/2 cup Chlorox bleach and 1/2 cup of Ivory Flakes diluted in one gallon of lukewarm water.
Wash both sides of the awning with the solution while scrubbing with a soft brush. Saturate the fabric and leave the solution on for 15-20 minutes. (Keep the fabric saturated "--1 by reapplying solution as needed.) Rinse thoroughly. Repeat if necessary until most of the
stains disappear.
CAUTION: Never use a strong detergent or stain remover such as 409 or Fantastic on your awning. These can destroy the water repellency of the fabric.
Water Leaks
If leaking occurs after washing, it is usually the result of insufficient rinsing. If water drips through the needle holes in the stitching, you can use a commercial seam sealer available in canvas and trailer supply stores. You may also apply paraffin wax to the top of the seams. However, as the awning "weathers," these holes will normally seal themselves.
It is normal for slight leakage to occur through the fabric where water is allowed to accumulate or "pocket" on the fabric. See "Storm Precautions" for information on awning settings for proper water drainage. Sometimes soap or chemical residue, such as from active agents in insect fogs or sprays, can "wet" the fabric so that it appears unable to repel water. Rinse the fabric thoroughly and test for water repellency after it dries. If leakage continues, repeat the washing and thoroughly rinse.
Storm Precautions
Because there is no warranty for damage caused by acts of God, steps should be taken to prevent damage from occurring due to wind, rain or storm.
If you are leaving or retiring for the night, close the awning. This takes only a few seconds (less time than closing your windows) and gives you the best protection. If for some reason you can't close the awning, lower both ends of it as far as you can without removing the rafter arms. This will create a sufficient slope for water run-off. If you are remaining with the awning, you may lower one end only sufficiently to divert water.
Water weighs nine pounds per gallon and your awning was not made to hold the 500 to 700 pounds that could accumulate. Since it only takes a few minutes to be completely safe, don't subject your awning and your coach to needless strain.
Hardware and Mechanism Maintenance
Although your Zip Dee awning requires less maintenance than any other awning, a little care (about the same amount that you give to your coach) will keep the metal parts in top shape. The rafter arm assemblies, main arm tubes, and the awning case are bright-anodized aluminum; the castings are polished, high-strength aluminum alloys. To keep these parts new looking they should be cleaned once a year with a good quality non-abrasive chrome or aluminum polish.
The main arm bar and all fasteners and stress bearing shafts are stainless steel. These need only be cleaned occasionally to remove accumulated grime that might hinder their operation.
At the end of each season:
- Tighten any loose bolts or screws (Replace missing parts only with factory authorized replacements).
- Clean accessible hardware with non-abrasive cleaner.
- Use a silicone lubricant only on the 1/2" round shafts that protrude from each end of the roller.
- Extend all telescoping arms as far as possible to wipe off accumulated sand and dirt tliat can clog and scratch the protective aluminum finish. No lubrication is required on those parts.
Replacement Parts
Use only genuine Zip Dee replacements parts when repairs are needed. Use of substitutes may damage your awning or void your warranty. Parts may be ordered through your local Zip Dee dealer. If you need help, we are as close as your telephone or post office. Use the number and description found on the parts list in this booklet when ordering parts and be sure to include the make, model and year of your vehicle. Warranty claims must include the damaged part. If you cannot remove the damaged parts without a replacement, you must purchase the part at full price and receive a refund (if the warranty• applies) when we get the damaged part back. Take a moment to copy your hardware serial number and hardware code number from your front main arm tube into the cover of this manual.
All parts are sent COD unless your charge card number or check accompanies your order.
- Your warranty has limitations, so please read it carefully. Since warranty claims are honored only for registered original owners, mail -your- registration card today.
Custom Contour Awning Operation
Opening your Awning
- Insert the pull rod into the Z-lock lever and pull downward. (Figure 1A) This releases the awning. Then turn the clamp wheel counterclockwise and swing the assembly toward the center to free the hardware. (Figure lB)
- Insert the pull rod into the loop of the center control strap and unroll the awning by pulling it toward you (Figure 2). Step under the awning and fold or roll the control strap toward the backside of the roller and tuck under restraining strap.
- APPLICABLE ONLY TO AVION AND GMC VEHICLES (OTHERS GO DIRECTLY TO STEP 4) Release the snap stud on the main arm (Figure 3) and raise the awning until the second height hole is engaged.
- Release the rafter arm by pulling outward on the cap of the ratchet stud located on the upper portion of the arm. (Figure 4) Extend the arm and place the claw over the shaft of the roller.
- Lock the rafter arm in position by pressing down on the steel main arm bar (Figure 5) until the ratchet stud clicks. At this point the fabric will be taut.
- Raise the awning to the desired height by releasing the snap stud on the main arm and pushing up and outward on the roller assembly (Figure 6). Repeat steps 3-6 for the other end of the awning.
Partial Extension or "Caravan" Position
- Follow step 1 and 2 above.
- Insert the pull rod in the loop of the center control strap and unroll the awning to the desired extension (Figure 7). Flip the Z-lock lever into the "closed" position to hold awning extended (Figure lA).
- To prevent billowing, hook the claw of the unextended rafter arm over the roller shaft (Figure 4). This will require that the awning to be extended approximately four and one half feet.
- Raise the awning to the desired height by following step 6 above.
Closing your Awning
- Release the snap stud of the main arm and lower the awning.
- Release the ratchet stud on the rafter arm by pulling outward on the cap. Lift the claw from the roller shaft and place it on the height adjustment stud located on the inside of the main arm (Figure 16) page 10. This allows a "scissors-like" action that helps guide the arm upward.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 or the other end of the awning.
- Face the awning and hold the end of the control strap firmly in one hand then push the roller up briskly with a rolling motion until you feel the spring take over. Control the speed by holding the control strap until all but 6 inches of the fabric has been rolled up. Release the strap and let the awning roll freely the rest of the way. This additional force will help tighten the fabric around the roller for the tightest, n.ax appearance.
- Lock the awning in place by reversing steps 1 and 2 of the opening procedure Figures lA & 18).
Universal Awnings Operation
To Open the Awning
- Insert the pull rod into the Z-lock lever and pull down (Figure 8). This releases the awning.
- Insert the pull rod into the loop of the center control strap and unroll the awning by pulling it toward you (Figure 9). Step under the awning and roll or fold the control strap toward the backside of the roller and tuck under the restraining strap.
- Release the rafter arm by pulling outward on the cap of the ratchet stud. Raise the arm upward toward the case (Figure 10). Extend the arm and set the claw shaped end into the slot of the rafter lock (Figure 11).
- Lock the rafter arm in position by pressing down on the steel main arm bar (Figure 12) until the ratchet stud clicks. At this point the fabric will be taut.
- Raise the awning to the desired height by releasing the snap stud on the main arm and pushing up and out on the roller assembly (Figure 13).
- Repeat 3-5 for the other end of the awning.
Partial Extension or "Caravan" Position
- Follow step 1 above.
- Insert the pull rod in the loop of the center control strap and unroll the awning to the desired extension. Lock the awning in its position by flipping the Z-Lock lever into the "closed" position.
- To prevent billowing, release and raise the rafter arm (Figure 10) and hook the claw of the arm into the slot of the rafter lock (Figure 14). This will require the awning to be extended approximately four and one half feet.
- Raise the awning to the desired height by following step 5 above.
To Close the Awning
- Release the snap stud of the main arm and lower the awning to its bottom most position.
- Release the ratchet stud of the rafter arm and lift the claw out of the rafter lock.
- Place the claw casting on the protruding height adjustment stud as shown in the insert of figure 17 (page 11). To lock the assembly in a travel position, push the other tube downward until the ratchet stud snaps closed. Repeat steps 1-3 for the other end of the awning.
- Face the awning and hold the end of the control strap firmly in one hand. Push the roller briskly upward with a rolling motion until you feel the spring take over. Control the speed of closure by holding the control strap until all but 6 inches of the fabric has rolled up. Release the strap and let the awning roll freely the rest of the way. This extra force will help tighten the fabric around the roller to insure the tightest, neatest appearance.
- Lock the awning in place by Dipping the Z-lock lever into the "closed" position using the pull rod.
If Awning Rolls Uneven
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Observe if the roll-up is even and in line with clamps. If not, then unroll and give roller a slight push toward the direction it should go. If you wish to have the awning roll up more in either direction, then spiral the pull tab in that direction.
NOTE: The tab must be spiraled around the roller as shown in (Fig.15). This prevents a loose roll and bunching up of fabric.
Parts List
