Use and Care Instructions


Cleaning Your Patio Cover:
To keep your Patio Cover clear and looking like new wash it occasionally with soap and water. Use a a 100% terry cloth towel, synthetic wash mitt, or a pole mounted synthetic wash pad with dish soap or car wash solution. Wash like you would a car, first hosing off loose dirt. Use plenty of sudsy water and rinse the towel or pad frequently.  In high pollen and high rain areas you may experience algae buildup in the spring. Use a bleach solution of 1 cup/gallon of water and a small cotton towel to remove the algae.  Rinse thoroughly and let the Patio Cover air dry. If you want to avoid water spots you can dry the Patio Cover with a 100% cotton terry towel.  Wash the underside of the Patio Cover the same way. You can dry the underside with a soft 100% cotton towel to remove water spots.   
For tree sap and other non-water soluble compounds use VM&P Naphtha.  Enhancing the Optical Clarity
 
A occasional application of polish will keep your Patio Cover brilliantly clear. Most owners rarely polish their Patio Covers but if you would like to keep your cover absolutely pristine, you can use any of the following polishes: Meguiar’s #18 One Step Plastic Polish, Meguiar’s #17 Clear Plastic Cleaner, Meguiar’s #10 Clear Plastic Polish, Rain Dance Car Wax, and Plexus Plastic Polish. If you need to walk on top of your Patio Cover wear clean 100% cotton socks to prevent scratching the surface. Your Patio Cover is strong enough to walk on but please avoid walking on your cover unless necessary.
 
Removing Scratches:
Polycarbonate is a resilient material but it can get scratched by a hard, sharp object. Be sure to wash the surface before removing the scratch.  First, try using one of the polishing products listed in the previous section. If the scratch remains and you would like to work on it further, use a mild abrasive compound such as auto rubbing compound or Brasso. Apply the rubbing compound or Brasso to a small piece of cloth and rub in the direction of the scratch. Follow with an application of Meguiar’s #17 and #10.
For deep scratches and gouges use the same materials and techniques as used for fixing blemishes in auto paint. Use two or three steps of finer and finer abrasive treatment to polish out the scratch.

Panel Replacement:
If a panel becomes severely damaged, it can be replaced. Please contact your dealer or Vista Industries for information on replacing a panel.

Patio Cover Care “Do’s”:
Wash dirt and debris from the surface using plenty of water.  In areas of high pollen, wash your Patio Cover in the spring to keep it looking clear.  Use 100% cotton towels or auto wash mitts/pads to clean and dry your Patio Cover.  It is safe to use the following cleaning products: Joy, Dawn, Palmolive Liquid, typical dishwashing liquid detergent, Mr. Clean, Windex, and typical car wash liquids.

Patio Cover Care “Don’ts”:
Don’t wipe dirt from the surface with a dry cloth.  Never sweep debris off the top with a broom.  Be careful if removing snow using a broom.  Don’t use paper towels, diapers, dish-cloths, or brushes to clean the surface.  The following products are not approved for use on polycarbonate: Armor-All, Butyl Cellosolve, Formula 409, Lysol, Pinesol.