Painting an awning?

[lindsaydavis]

We are renovating a '76 Argosy. The awning is in perfect shape but the colors aren't very easy on the eyes. I've read blogs about painting fabric and painting outdoor cushions, any thoughts on painting an awning? To do cushions, etc. you use latex paint, fabric medium and water. Curious if this is an option.

[Protagonist]

Welcome to the AirForums!

I do not believe the technique would work on an awning. Awnings are by design water-resistant, and so your thinned water-based latex paint will not soak into the threads like a dye as they do when painting upholstery.

You say the awning is in good shape now, just an undesirable color. If you try painting it and it doesn't work the way you want, it will end up even uglier and degrade the value of the RV as a whole.

Better in my opinion to either replace the fabric with your favorite Sunbrella pattern, or learn to live with what you have.

[mandolindave]

If your awning looks good after 35 years, It might very well be a Sunbrella fabric. Read up on it.

When I got my 1973 trailer, the awning looked terrible. A hose and 5 minutes made it look brand new. The claim is that mold will grow on the dirt, but not on the fabric. The fabric is " color through " so scratches won't show. I wouldn't mess with a very expensive awning

[Foiled Again]

This makes 3 for "bad idea" - remember the awning gets rolled and stretched frequently. Cracking, flaking, etc. have got to be a problem. Hang lights under it - you can substantially alter the look of the awning with colored rope or led lights - there are some new ones that change color while operating.

New fabric won't be inexpensive, but it's less expensive than a whole new awning.

[AnnArborBob]

This sounds like a disappointment waiting to happen.

[DaveFL]

Originally Posted by lindsaydavis

We are renovating a '76 Argosy. The awning is in perfect shape but the colors aren't very easy on the eyes. ...
Curious if this is an option.

No, you can't.
When I bought my boat it had a black awning, I painted the bimini white, while it worked for me, it probably won't for you, bimini was almost permanently open, your awning would be closed each trip, I only painted the top center as I knew any repairs would be impossible with paint(white cool seal), I was right, sunbrella is stronger than the thread, and could only be sewn where it wasn't painted, but on the other hand painted the thread was still good as it was protected from the sun. Every couple of years I repainted, worked for 10yrs, and was still working when I sold the boat.

[r carl]

I would think dyeing it would be a better idea.

[MIKO92]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Welcome to the AirForums!

I do not believe the technique would work on an awning. Awnings are by design water-resistant, and so your thinned water-based latex paint will not soak into the threads like a dye as they do when painting upholstery.

You say the awning is in good shape now, just an undesirable color. If you try painting it and it doesn't work the way you want, it will end up even uglier and degrade the value of the RV as a whole.

Better in my opinion to either replace the fabric with your favorite Sunbrella pattern, or learn to live with what you have.

Protagonist, is Sunbrella fabric used for awnings sealed so water won't run through it? Is this the same fabric that is on patio furniture? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks
MIKO

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by MIKO92

Protagonist, is Sunbrella fabric used for awnings sealed so water won't run through it? Is this the same fabric that is on patio furniture? Any help is appreciated.

Sunbrella is used on patio furniture, sailboat awnings and cushions, and awnings.

No fabric is truly waterproof unless it's rubberized. Water can seep through any awning fabric, especially where something is in contact with it. But Sunbrella is very water-resistant. But more importantly, it is UV-resistant. When exposed to sunlight, the color hardly fades at all and the fabric doesn't degrade. It's also dimensionally stable, meaning that it hardly stretches, no matter which direction you pull on it.