CLEV Awning
Care & Coating
Guide

Your 1-Year Workmanship Warranty

Every CLEV installation is backed by a 1-year workmanship warranty from the date of final completion. This is our guarantee that the work was done right — and if something attributable to how your awning was built shows up within that period, we come back and fix it at no charge.

Defects must be reported in writing within the warranty period. Our team evaluates all concerns within 14 business days and inspects the installation directly — we do not ask you to prove a defect with photographs alone.

Understanding Paint & Coating Warranties

This is the part of the industry that nobody explains clearly — so we will.

Your awning's paint finish carries its own manufacturer warranty, separate from CLEV's workmanship guarantee. On paper this sounds reassuring. In practice, there is an important distinction that every homeowner should understand before assuming a coating warranty means their finish is protected against weathering.

What paint manufacturers warranty against: Manufacturing defects in the coating itself — adhesion failure caused by incorrect application, blistering from trapped moisture during the coating process, or peeling caused by a fault in the coating formulation. These are genuine product defects and the manufacturer is right to cover them.

What paint manufacturers classify as wear and tear: Chalking, colour fade, surface oxidation and gloss loss caused by UV exposure and weathering. This is where most homeowners discover the gap. Regardless of coating brand, grade or quoted warranty period, weathering caused by sun, rain, humidity and pollution is almost universally excluded from manufacturer claims as an inherent consequence of outdoor exposure.

We say this not to alarm you, but because understanding it means you can protect your investment properly — rather than discovering the gap at the point of a rejected claim.

How Malaysian Weather Affects Your Awning

No other climate tests an awning's finish quite like Malaysia's. The combination of factors is uniquely demanding:

• UV index. KL and Selangor regularly record UV indices above 10 — classified as extreme. This is two to three times higher than northern Europe, where most coating durability data originates. UV is the primary driver of colour fade and chalking in alkyd enamel coatings.
• Monsoon humidity cycles. Twice-yearly monsoon seasons subject the structure to sustained moisture — in joints, at fixings, behind sealant lines. Moisture ingress accelerates corrosion at any point where the coating is compromised.
• Acid rain. Urban areas of KL and Selangor experience measurable acid rain from vehicle emissions and industrial activity. Acid rain deposits on the coating surface and accelerates surface oxidation, particularly on horizontal surfaces that do not self-clean in rain.
• Thermal cycling. Daytime surface temperatures on a west-facing awning in direct sun can reach 70°C or above. Overnight temperatures drop significantly. This daily thermal cycling stresses the coating-to-metal bond over time.
• Coastal proximity. Homes within 5km of the coast experience salt-laden air. Salt is highly corrosive to metal and accelerates coating breakdown significantly — particularly at cut edges and fixings.

The CLEV Recommended Maintenance Schedule

Following this schedule does not make your awning indestructible. What it does is maximise the lifespan of the coating, catch problems before they become expensive, and give you the clearest possible record if a warranty question ever arises.

Signs That Recoating Is Needed

Do not wait until the coating fails completely. The right time to recoat is when the first signs of deterioration appear — before bare metal is exposed to the elements.

Cleaning — What to Use and What to Avoid

Aluminium structure

• Use: Mild household detergent (dish soap) diluted in water. Soft cloth, sponge or low-pressure hose. Rinse thoroughly.
• Avoid: Abrasive pads or brushes — they scratch the coating and create sites for corrosion. Solvent-based cleaners, bleach, ammonia or acidic cleaners — these attack the coating binder. High-pressure jet washing directly at the surface — the pressure can force water into joints and behind sealant lines.

Polycarbonate sheets

• Use: Mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Rinse with clean water. Always wipe in one direction to avoid surface scratching.
• Avoid: Ammonia-based cleaners (including many glass cleaners), solvent-based products, abrasive materials. These permanently cloud the surface and cannot be reversed.
• Note on yellowing: Polycarbonate yellows progressively from UV exposure — this is a material characteristic, not a cleaning or maintenance failure. Quality UV-protected polycarbonate typically maintains acceptable clarity for 8 to 12 years in Malaysian conditions. When yellowing becomes significant or the sheet becomes brittle, replacement is the correct solution — not refinishing.

Glass (Skylight Series)

• Use: Clean water and a squeegee, or mild glass cleaner. Clean from a safe vantage point — never walk on the glass surface.
• Avoid: Abrasive materials. Check the frame sealant condition when cleaning — the junction between glass and frame is where most Skylight Series issues originate.

Permit Assistance

Some awning installations in Malaysia require submission to the local authority (PBT) — MBPJ, MPSJ, DBKL, MPAJ and others each apply different thresholds and requirements. As an ST Licensed and CIDB Registered contractor, CLEV is qualified to advise on and assist with permit applications. This can be arranged upon request — raise it during your free site measurement and we will confirm what applies to your property and municipality.

A Note on Long-Term Value

A well-maintained awning does more than protect your car and outdoor space. Done right, it adds measurable kerb appeal and functional square footage to your home. Done badly — or left unmaintained until the structure is compromised — it becomes a liability at sale or renovation.

The homes that hold their value and photograph well are the ones where every element has been considered and maintained. Your awning is part of that. CLEV builds to last — the maintenance schedule above is how you make sure it does.