We have a Dometic (A&E marked on lower arms) awning and cleaning is different depending if you have Vinyl OR Woven Acrylic Fabric.
Recommendations are as follows:
VINYL - Mix 1/4 cup dish wash soap, 1/4 cup bleach & 25 litres water,,,, soap the open awning (ie outside) roll up and let stand for 5 minutes. Unroll and hose off both sides. Repeat if requied.
WOVEN ACRYLIC - is breathable and water repellant so cleaning is ,,,, rinse off and let it dry DO NOT SCRUB and DO NOT TOUCH UNDERSIDE WHEN WET as it will encorage seepage through the awning.
So need to establish the material to clean it seems.
Hope this helps, Cheers Baz
-- Edited by Baz421 on Tuesday 27th of August 2013 02:34:49 PM
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Hey Peter we have a bottle of something that is really good for removing glue from almost any surface the trouble is we are not at the van and I cannot remember its name. When we get back I will PM you with the details, it works very well
briche
-- Edited by briche on Tuesday 27th of August 2013 02:36:35 PM
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Hi all. Sorting out our first purchase of a second hand coromal compac 401 pop top van. We can, mainly thanks to Duh, actually put the awning up now - no help from the previous owners, and found they had glued velcro along one edge. I have removed the ultra sticky velcro but there is a lot of really sticky glue on the top and bottom edge. We are trying eucalyptus oil to try and remove the glue from the vynal awning, a slow process and not completely working. Turps got the glues off my hands so would turps be ok to use on the awning?
Also lots of stains underneath the awning (didn't know this as the previous owners had the van parked so couldn't pull out the awning. Would hot soapy water be the best, or is there something better. Not sure what the stains are, could be from cooking underneath the awning.
I don't see why turps or similar wouldn't be ok. Maybe try on a small section first. When finished give a good wash with a product called ' Simple Green'. You can get it from the cleaning section at Bunnings. You could also try a good truck wash.
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Are the stains mould? If so a wash top and bottom (vinyl) with about a cup of vinegar to a bucket of water will make it lovely. Spray off with clean water if you can and allow to dry completely before rolling up. I've found a squeegee floor mop makes light work of this but you need to a step to do the bit at the top.
You could use "Goof Off" the miracle remover for adhesives and glue, oil and tar, sap and dried latex paint, says it can be used on vinyl, there are also similar products, mine was obtained from Bunning to remove some tough road grime off the side of my vehicle that even truck wash would not move. If you do try it, use on a small patch first to see how it goes. Bunnings also have a range of similar products you could suss out.
Like someone said already, do not scrub the awning as it would destroy the waterproofing qualities and strength of the fabric. Other than a wash with mild detergents or a solution of vinegar and water for mildew, awnings are best left alone, except always make sure they are rolled fully out and dried out properly after rain etc to avoid mildew.
A bloke was telling me not so long ago that he was told to use alcohol to remove glue from his tent, he only had Vodka so used that and he said it worked a treat.
But if there is a lot of glue to remove it may work out a little expensive.
I think you can buy an alcohol cleaner (supermarket?) - maybe would be cheaper than the vodka - you may get to a stage and say one for the awning and 2 for me!!! lol happy camping.
Drop by my place if you want some alcohol. Before diluting down to 40% to make my bourbon. the alcohol I make, after distilling, is 90% which would do the job perfectly.
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Do not use nail varnish remover as it melts plastic, it is used in the fibreglass industry as a cleaner and solvent.
I have also read somewhere that truck wash is not suitable as again it is very aggressive.
I used some nappysan equivalent to remove some pretty nasty tree sap to great success, using the mix with a magic sponge (the white foam one's). Then rinsing well with plenty of water.
........but Wombat wouldn't! 
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