Tent Vinyl Care and Storage: An End-of-Season Checklist for Rental Companies
Inspect every panel, clean it with products that won't hurt the UV coating, make sure it's completely dry, then store it in breathable bags. Clear vinyl should be rolled, not folded. Read on for the main points, then see Aztec's guide for the full checklist.
The season’s winding down and the tents are coming home. It’s tempting to bag them up and forget about them till spring.
Don’t. A tent put away damp in November can come out moldy in April. Tent maker Aztec Tents posted an end-of-season care and storage guide. Here are the main points. Their guide has the full checklist, including which cleaners to use on which stains.
The big ideas
- Inspect first. Backlight each panel to find pinholes and worn spots, and check hardware, webbing, keder edges and welded seams before you clean.
- Clean gently. Use a tent vinyl cleaner and rinse well. Skip petroleum solvents and strong bleach, which can damage the UV coating and leave vinyl brittle.
- Nothing gets bagged until it’s dry. Seams and webbing hold water the longest.
- Let it breathe. Use breathable tent bags or open racks, not plastic or trash bags, and keep panels off the floor.
Clear vinyl is the fussy one
Roll clear windows and sidewalls instead of folding them, since folds turn into creases that crack and cloud. The guide also covers what to put between wraps and the storage temperature range to aim for.
Why this matters for rental owners
Tent tops and sidewalls are some of the priciest gear you own. An afternoon of careful cleanup now can add seasons to their life.
And the first spring wedding won’t open with a mildew-stained top.
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Read the full article, How Proper Tent Vinyl Maintenance and Storage Maximize Rental Business ROI, at Aztec Tents news.
