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08-27-2009, 06:35 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
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How to polish a Zip Dee awning protector?
I decided, since I'm doing the rest of the trailer, I may as well polish the Zip Dee aluminum pieces that protect the awning. I bought a used awning for the rear window that was dated from 2004. The other awnings I have are older. The newer one seems to be anodized. I can't get any sort of shine to it. The older ones shine up a bit (enough to satisfy me). Anyone know how to get the newer one to shine? Should I try some oven cleaner like they do on Avions? Or maybe I should just leave well enough alone? Any suggestions?
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Becky
1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
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08-27-2009, 07:08 AM
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#2
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Becky, there are two different types of Zip-Dee awning hardware, satin finish and bright finish. Satin is USUALLY what is found on Airstreams. While this doesn't help you polish what you have, it does explain the difference.
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Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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08-27-2009, 08:42 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
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Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63
Becky, there are two different types of Zip-Dee awning hardware, satin finish and bright finish. Satin is USUALLY what is found on Airstreams. While this doesn't help you polish what you have, it does explain the difference.
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I'm sure the one I just got is satin, then. The others must be bright finish. Anyone know if you can polish up the satin somehow?
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Becky
1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
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08-30-2009, 07:35 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1979 31' Sovereign
1950 22' Liner
Powhatan
, Virginia
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 521
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Ours must also be satin. They are original on the 1979 we got. I also tried to polish them up but wouldn't work with Nuvite. Then I tried clearcoat stripping but there was no clearcoat. I then tried to at least clean them up with a brushed look with scotchbright but that wouldn't scratch them either. I am at a loss but if you find something that works, let me know
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08-30-2009, 07:41 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bowmans
Ours must also be satin. They are original on the 1979 we got. I also tried to polish them up but wouldn't work with Nuvite. Then I tried clearcoat stripping but there was no clearcoat. I then tried to at least clean them up with a brushed look with scotchbright but that wouldn't scratch them either. I am at a loss but if you find something that works, let me know
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Actually, I did. Took off the aluminum protectors & sprayed them with Easy Off Oven Cleaner (the heavy duty kind). Turns out they are anodized! It removed the anodizing & I sanded them down a bit with some 320 grit aluminum oxide paper. Then I polished with Nuvite C & I still have to go to the S to get out the swirls. They are SHINY now! I only did the one that's satin. It's really a mirror finish. I wouldn't suggest doing this process while they're on your trailer, though. I don't know what the oven cleaner would do to the fabric if it got on the awning. Putzing is so much fun!
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Becky
1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
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08-30-2009, 07:47 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1979 31' Sovereign
1950 22' Liner
Powhatan
, Virginia
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 521
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BAH. We just put the last awning back on the camper this weekend. That will be a project I will have to put on the list for another year (when the fabric finally starts to rot out). Thanks for posting the info!!
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10-10-2009, 04:41 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
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I finally got the awnings back on the trailer. I actually shortened the rear awning roll & sewed the new awning myself! (Not usually a sewer). Made the fabric part for $25 including delivery--not bad compared to $92 w/o shipping from ZipDee. Got the complete roll & arms from Colaws for $125, so I came out ahead more than $100 for a new one. The best part is....IT WORKS!
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Becky
1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
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10-10-2009, 06:00 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1979 31' Sovereign
1950 22' Liner
Powhatan
, Virginia
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 521
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Becky,
Looks great! Now I wish we had done ours before putting them back on...
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Tadd, Beth, Grundgetta and Weeble
Our blog
Proud to be Air #37137
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10-10-2009, 06:24 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1983 34' Excella
1967 24' Tradewind
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,825
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Great job Becky!
I could use one of those myself. Where did you get the fabric?
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Vaughan
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10-10-2009, 07:45 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vswingfield
Great job Becky!
I could use one of those myself. Where did you get the fabric?
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Zip Dee fabric is available from Zip Dee.
Phone # 800-338BEST
Ask for Linda.
The color in the photo is called Pacific Blue Fancy # 4755.
Andy
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10-11-2009, 07:31 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
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I bought the fabric here
Sunbrella Pacific Blue - Outdoor Fabric Source
I used the old awning fabric as a pattern & modified it to be shorter in width. One yard was exactly enough to do the rear window. I bought thread at WalMart that's made for outdoors & is UV resistant.
I just checked the above website & they must have discontinued carrying the Pacific Blue Fancy (striped) that I used. I did find it at this site, though....
http://store.fabriccarolina.com/Item...20Blue%20Fancy
Not sure of what the shipping is. I'd check w/both Zip Dee & this place for price comparison on fabric.
__________________
Becky
1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
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10-11-2009, 09:16 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1972 27' Overlander
Longmont
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 951
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Good info, Becky- thanks! I'd like to make some slip-on awnings, like what InsideOut did.
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