[nytimes770]

I got a notice from the hoa. The awning above front porch appears faded, therefore needs to be addressed.

It's a dark brown color.. Not quite sure what the material is. But it's got some white streaks on the panels and from far away it does look faded.

My questions are

Can I just scrub off the white streaks or will it need to be painted?
Was it actually painted or do these come in a dark brown color to begin with?
Will scrubbing it peel off the paint?

What's the easiest easy to make this look better? Thanks

 

[Old Thomas]

It depends on how tyrannical your HOA is. My FL home is in an HOA and occasionally they are a pain in the butt. My NY home has no HOA, I like that better except it is cold in the winter.

 

[stick\shift]

We're not there so we can only guess. I would try scrubbing it first. If that doesn't work, consider the scrubbing prep work before paint.

 

[mark sr]

It would help to know if it's aluminum or steel as that determines what would be the best coatings to use if you paint it. The old steel awnings can be cleaned and painted with most any exterior oil base paint. With aluminum the prep gets a little trickier. When paint oxidizes and becomes chalky - latex paint won't adhere well. If you can't remove all the chalk you need to add Flood's EmulsaBond to the first coat of paint to insure good adhesion.

 

[ChuckTin]

Can you take it down? Assuming you're willing to put in the work - if possible that's what I'd do. Scrub it down with a a light acid (vinager) and a white scotch Brite pad (lightest cutter) and throughly dry.
Get some Etching Primer from a auto parts store and a couple of spray cans of auto paint in an appropriate color, your HOA has an opinion on that I'll bet.
Prime with a light coat, dry, maybe wet sand with some 800 grit wet-or-dry, dry again then spray, light coats! till your satisfied.

 

[PatChap]

Just paint it, quick clean with tsp. I have painted them and seen them 5 years later still look fine.

 

[ChuckF.]

Dark brown with white streaks, likely from chalking paint above, sounds like it might be Copper. If so be careful not to damage it. Scrape a small corner or edge and see what it is.