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Topic: Zip Dee Awning Roller Tubes (Read 663 times) previous topic - next topic

Zip Dee Awning Roller Tubes

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.

Re: Zip Dee Awning Roller Tubes

Reply #1 –
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
Scott

Re: Zip Dee Awning Roller Tubes

Reply #2 –
Wire brush and rustoleum?
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Zip Dee Awning Roller Tubes

Reply #3 –
Wire brush, blue painters tape, cold galvanize paint. It's a bunch of work to completely remove the awning tubes.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Zip Dee Awning Roller Tubes

Reply #4 –
There is cold galvanizing paint available and it does work well
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Zip Dee Awning Roller Tubes

Reply #5 –
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.
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Zip Dee Awning Roller Tubes

Reply #6 –
Excellent repair Glenn when I saw it live.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Zip Dee Awning Roller Tubes

Reply #7 –
Do you possibly mean the end caps of the roller? Like GleamB says, that is one lonnnng tube that has to come out.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Zip Dee Awning Roller Tubes

Reply #8 –
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..

Re: Zip Dee Awning Roller Tubes

Reply #9 –
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 and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Zip Dee Awning Roller Tubes

Reply #10 –
Quote from: GleamB –
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
Greg & Cathy
2000 U320 4010 DGFE Build #5650
Had: 1999 Tradewinds 7370