Hi All
Thinking about investing in a couple of awning rail protectors to stop the dreaded black streaks.
I don't have a problem cleaning them off the van but it's more to stop it looking unsightly
Any feedback or views would be helpful
Regards Graham
An awning rail protector won't stop the steaks elswhere though such as the fridge vents, windows and awning light etc. so a bit pointless paying out for two that only protects part of the caravan.
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Thanks for that Tango don't think I'll bother with them then as I said not a problem cleaning them off just have to do it a bit more often
Many thanks for the reply
Graham
I've got them on my van and only get a few streaks from the windows, I just wipe them off as and when they appear. Before we had the protectors on I was up and down on the stepladder removing the ones at the top! So much easier now, wouldn't be without them.
My previous post said 'steaks' when I meant streaks as it was too late to edit my post when I noticed it.
Anyway, getting back to your question, after reading the above post from acampingwewillgo it appears that the black streaks are mainly caused by dirty rain water dripping off the caravan roof then. If this is the case then it may be worth investing in a pair of rail protectors after all as it can reduce the amount of black streaks cutting your cleaning time down in half.
Interesting to see what other feedback you receive on this thread as I may well have changed my thoughts on these after all.
I don't use them but I think, with age and experience, I am also becoming more attracted to them, my caravan is parked on the drive but does has a natural slight slope to the caravan nearside. I am constantly cleaning the streaks away. To be fair I have a worse problem than cleaning the black streaks, its the roof that really gets me going. Just cleaned the van yesterday, mainly the roof, and I intend to wax and polish all the van (again) on a good weather day. Using a solution like Bobby Dazzler has helped me over the years. I'm even thinking off having a cantilever car port to protect the caravan from the extremities of the weather. For me the dirt after the snow is worse than the rain.
Uncovered the caravan today ready to prep for the season, its sparkling white with no winter muck!
I use awning rail protectors.
And I always open the windows and clean the wall that surrounds the window gap, its amazing how mucky that area can get and with the windows closed you cant see it, so don’t consider it
I get hardly any black streaks at all.
Thanks everyone for the input its my birthday start of next month so might start dropping hints to the family, you never know someone might cotton on & buy them for me if not will get a couple and see for myself. As for cleaning the streaks I use Silky then Finnish off with MER detail polish when it's finished the van looks showroom fresh.
We bought one a couple of years ago. By cutting it we managed to do the whole of the nearside, which means that the awning slides much easier as the channel is clean, & all across the roof on the offside. No more streaks & a channel without dirt and creepy crawlies! Would recommend you try one.
Once again thanks everyone for your input,
Going to give the van a good wash & polish ( as soon as weather permits) then will buy the protectors & fit them see what difference they make
Graham
Quote: Originally posted by buzby on 26/3/2018
We bought one a couple of years ago. By cutting it we managed to do the whole of the nearside, which means that the awning slides much easier as the channel is clean, & all across the roof on the offside. No more streaks & a channel without dirt and creepy crawlies! Would recommend you try one.
Same here, I cut enough off for the off-side rear corner as it's the rear end where the rainwater drops off on our van.
Dave.
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