A couple of my roller tubes are rusty on the ends.
I haven't removed the fabric to see how far the rust extends yet, but I'm wondering if anyone has tried removing the galvanizing and rust, then either painting or powder coating the tube? Some galvy goes through the metal and is impossible to remove and powdercoat, but if that was my case there wouldn't be any rust I'm guessing.
The roller tubes, at least the ends would look great powder coated a medium gray to resemble the galvanizing.
Or, maybe I should consider just buying new rollers. But I've read the freight is cost prohibitive.
Would need to find out if you have a powder coat shop in your area. Get a quote before you start. I've never coated galvanized metal, but have chemically removed it for welding(acid)
Preparing HDG for Powder Coat | American Galvanizers Association (https://galvanizeit.org/specification-and-inspection/specifying-duplex-systems/preparing-hdg-for-powder-coating)
Scott
Wire brush and rustoleum?
Wire brush, blue painters tape, cold galvanize paint. It's a bunch of work to completely remove the awning tubes.
There is cold galvanizing paint available and it does work well
JohnH
We just got done repairing/replacing my porch awning tube. When I called Zip Dee, I asked if I could " just " find a local source for a new pipe. We are in Mexico. I was told it is a hard to find galvanized 3" 18 ga pipe. You would also need to create the indentation, about 30" in, where the spring catches internally. Taking out the tube was tedious, but hardly dangerous. There are videos on how to do it. Basically, a lot of drilling out existing rivets. I would get the proper rivets for reinstall.
Excellent repair Glenn when I saw it live.
JohnH
Do you possibly mean the end caps of the roller? Like GleamB says, that is one lonnnng tube that has to come out.
The canvas has double sided tape on each end also that is a pain to get past when removing the old material.. End caps can be drilled and removed then re-riveted as mentioned above.. Not to difficult but will take some time.. I took my main awning apart and down more times than I want to count or even mention..
Soooooo.....just think'n......
Would it be feasible to use a 3" od pvc pipe, with some type of sleeve inside at a joint ( for 20 foot +/- length) instead of galvanized pipe.? You would have to engineer some type of stop for the internal spring. Maybe I should call Zip Dee to get a patent. Or did I just drink too much tequila?
Glenn,
Probably too much tequila, if that's possible :)) Plastic pipe would be way to flexible for such a long span, and I don't think there's a pipe size with 3" OD.
I'm in the process of replacing the fabric on our slide topper/awning. The tube is only rusty where it's exposed for the world to see. (go figure ::) ) The part under the fabric looks nearly new. Our tube is slightly bent but, after I straighten it, I plan to lightly sand the ends, and shoot it with RustOleum cold galvanizing paint. I keep a couple cans of that stuff in stock.
Greg