While modern-day storefront awnings are built to last, frequent exposure to harsh weather conditions, including acid rain and UV rays, causes them to fade. Their colors change, surfaces peel off, and they may also rust, looking drastically different and unattractive.
Painting is effective in restoring an awning’s look. Awnings decorate your store’s exterior, help promote your brand and attract customers. However, they don’t only serve as decor but also offer outdoor space over windows and doors and keep water and harsh sunlight from entering inside.
How to Restore Faded Awnings?
While you can restore an awning’s look by painting them, the steps you take will depend on the kind of awning you have. For instance, painting a metal awning may be easier than a fabric awning. But worry not; we will guide you through the processes.
Clean the Awning Before Painting
Awnings are prone to get dirty quickly because they are outdoors day and night throughout the changing seasons. Painting without cleaning them will result in painting over dust, dirt, and debris; neither will the awnings look ugly, nor will the hard work you put behind cleaning them go in vain, so cleaning them before your painting project is crucial.
- Remove any decorations, flags, or painters you may have added to the awning
- Mix a mild detergent with a bucket of water
- Use an extendable scrub brush to remove any dirt and debris
- Rinse the awning with a hose
- Let it dry
In the case of noticeable moss or mildew, prepare another solution consisting of 50% bleach and 50% water and load it in a squirt bottle.
- Spray the solution on the undesirable substance
- Gently scrub using a scrub brush
- Rinse well to remove any residue
- Let it dry
Once done, your awnings are ready to be painted. Now, we will discuss how to paint metal and fabric awnings.
Painting Metal Awnings
If you use aluminum awnings for your storefront, you may have noticed that they are factory coated for color and weather resistance. While durable, the original coating eventually fades. They usually crack and peel.
Since it protects the metal underneath from corrosion and rust, repainting them is necessary as soon as you notice problems.
There is no need for you to remove the entire original coating; just sand away cracked, peeling, or loose coat to avoid adhesion problems when applying the new coating.
Those with high gloss can use an entire surface sanding so that it is even and the new paint sticks well. Once you finish painting, scrub the metal using a powdered detergent and a soft-bristled brush to clean any particles or grime left behind from the sanding.
Apply a metal primer coating before using an oil-based paint to help it withstand any intense weathering effects. Additionally, never apply latex-based primers on aluminum because it contains ammonia that can result in adverse effects.
Painting Fabric Awnings
As we mentioned before, painting canvas awnings is hard. However, it helps restore the fabric and color of the canvas and extends its lifespan.
To paint canvas fabric, you must remove the canvas from the structure (for retractable designs). Fabric is usually fragile and is prone to tearing. So, ensure to paint the fabric before they wear out.
Use an acrylic-based paint and premium commercial fabric additive to make the solution appropriate to work on the fabric. Too dense and hard a liquid will prevent the fabric from bending after drying. We recommend replacing it instead of painting it, especially if you do not have experience doing it.
Bottomline
Painting your storefront awning improves its durability and functionality; not to forget, its appearance. If you are uncertain about it or scared of doing more harm than good to your awning, contact a reliable awning company and seek their maintenance and repair services.
