Vinyl awning fabric shot

I replaced mine with fabric from ShadePro.

I had the vinyl fabric on mine (A&E 8500) replaced with acrylic. It could have been replaced without a metal guard but I opted for the guard.

I like the acrylic better than the vinyl. It dries faster, doesn't mildew, and requires less cleaning. If fact I haven't had to clean it in about six years. Any rain appears to wash it pretty well.

There is one drawback however.
A few years ago we were parked under some pine trees that were dropping sap. That got into the fabric and was a bear to remove. I ended up daubing (not rubbing) isopropyl alcohol on the spots and then using dish washing detergent and water to remove the residue.

Vinyl can easily be replaced with acrylic, but it will not be cheap, simply due to shipping costs. You must buy the metal wrap with the acrylic, which means truck freight, and spacers usually must be added to the top brackets.
That said, it should be a couple hundred more than replacing with vinyl.

Thanks Hank. If acrylic is not an option, has anyone used some of the aftermarket options of vinyl? Some claim the first foot, the part that is exposed when it is rolled up, is treated.

check here ----> Tough Tops
If it can be done, they can tell you.

The acrylic fabric awnings I've seen have the metal wrapper at the top. I think this is why it's difficult to switch from one to the other. I'm sure it can be done but not as easy as just replacing the fabric.