Lubricating Zip-Dee?

[HCR]

On my newly acquired '25 2006 Safari, the awning takes two men (literally) to get the arms up. Is the problem that it has probably been unused for some time?

Suggestions?

[SteveH]

Yes, the lack of use will cause the arms to stick because corrosion sets up inside where one piece slides into another.

Spray silicone seems to be the best lubricant, and if you don't have any, try WD-40....it's mostly silicone.

[fltlevel510]

HCR,

There are a series of videos on youtube on how to care for your zip dee awning. I believe it is the president of the company that does the videos so the info should be reliable. Here is a link to the one on lubricating the awning. Enjoy!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMDV3qkgntw

[r carl]

Um, I dont think there is any silicone in it Steve.




WD-40's formula is a trade secret. The product is not patented in order to avoid completely disclosing its ingredients.[2] WD-40's main ingredients, according to U.S. Material Safety Data Sheet information, are:

• 50%: Stoddard solvent (i.e., mineral spirits -- primarily hexane, somewhat similar to kerosene)
• 25%: Liquefied petroleum gas (presumably as a propellant; carbon dioxide is now used instead to reduce WD-40's considerable flammability)
• 15+%: Mineral oil (light lubricating oil)
• 10-%: Inert ingredients

The German version of the mandatory EU safety sheet lists the following safety-relevant ingredients:

• 60-80%: Heavy Naphtha (petroleum product), hydrogen treated
• 1-5%: Carbon dioxide

[sempi2]

A big thank you for this info. We also have had trouble getting our awning up. Looking forward to trying this remedy. Susan
PS what silicone do you use???

[HCR]

A video? Wow, this forum is fantastic! Thanks much.

[lewster]

I wouldn't use ANY WET lubricant on the Zip-Dee arms. I use a product called DuPont Teflon Dry Lube. It sprays on and dries quickly, leaving a very slippery dry film on the metal. Will NOT attract dirt like a wet lube (silicone) that will jam up the slide mechanism. Available at most Lowes.

And WD-40 is NOT a lubricant! It was formulated to displace water on electronic circuit boards (WD stands for water displacement, formula #40. Will penetrate and free rusted fasteners to some extent, but there are far better products for that purpose also. I don't even carry it on my service van, as it does nothing well except it's designed use....TO DISPLACE WATER ON CIRCUITS!

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by lewster

And WD-40 is NOT a lubricant! It was formulated to displace water on electronic circuit boards (WD stands for water displacement, formula #40. Will penetrate and free rusted fasteners to some extent, but there are far better products for that purpose also. I don't even carry it on my service van, as it does nothing well except it's designed use....TO DISPLACE WATER ON CIRCUITS!

Everyone, please do what you want, but I'm telling you I've used WD-40 on the sliding arms and it works great.

[Aage]

I could never get the cetnre support to snap tightly in place before I gave all the arms on ours a good shot with silicon spray lube (generic, from Canadian Tire),

It also helped make the entire opening and closing easier.

Recommended.

[dlb435]

You need to check the arms to be sure everything is straight. Even a slight bend will cause the arms to stick. Check it out.

[Lumatic]

If you don't have a pair or Zipdee handles on the arms, they really make a big difference.

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

If you don't have a pair or Zipdee handles on the arms, they really make a big difference.

????? Gotta picture?

[richinny]

Awnings By ZipDee

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Ahab

????? Gotta picture?

Mo betta. See for yourself @ Punkin Chunkin

[cclarkego]

OK, I decided to play with my ZipDee awning today. Read the directions several times, haven't done this in awhile, got someone to help me because there was no way I could hold the awning out while getting the arms situated. Used silicone spray on the arms and the roller. I still have a problem. I can pull the awning way down to get maximum shade, but it won't stay there. If I touch it just a bit, it goes up to a high position. Am I supposed to tie the main strap down? What am I doing wrong?

Carol

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by cclarkego

OK, I decided to play with my ZipDee awning today. Read the directions several times, haven't done this in awhile, got someone to help me because there was no way I could hold the awning out while getting the arms situated. Used silicone spray on the arms and the roller. I still have a problem. I can pull the awning way down to get maximum shade, but it won't stay there. If I touch it just a bit, it goes up to a high position. Am I supposed to tie the main strap down? What am I doing wrong?

Carol

I suspect that you are not installing the rafter arms correctly. The ends go over the shaft at the ends of the roll and then they are extended until they lock in place. Take a look at the instructions from ZipDee:
Awnings By ZipDee

[cclarkego]

I did put the rafter arms over the end of the roll, but I think I missed hearing any click that locked it into place. I'll try it again tomorrow. Thanks!

[Mike Leary]

The ratchet studs that lock the awning could have sheared. They are available (in a vastly improved version) from Zip Dee. Go to the web site and look at "Contour Hardware". It will show you the part (illustration # 10).
Oops, is it a brand new awning? My bad if it is.

[cclarkego]

I don't know if I grasped the lower arm and pushed FIRMLY down in the direction of the arrow. I could barely hang on to the damn thing, it just wanted to return to the mother ship.....

[pmclemore]

Go online to the ZipDee site and see if the diagrams make any sense to you. Then call the nice folks at ZipDee and describe your problem. I suspect they can tell you what's going on and what to do next.

Pat