Manual Drop Screens Maintenance

Complying with our Manual Drop Screens Maintenance suggestions will guarantee stress-free service for your Manual Drop Screens. A little cleaning once a month will prevent a major cleaning project.

Watch Your Screen’s Operation

Watch your Manual Drop Screen when you lower it. If an object is left under the Manual Drop Screen, it will prevent the unit from lowering completely and possibly cause damage to the product itself.

Vertical Wire Guide Cleaning

Look at the left and right vertical Wire Guides to make sure they are secure and tight. Starting at the top of each Wire Guide and working your way down, wipe off any dirt or debris that has accumulated on the Wire Guides with a rag.

Vertical Side Track Cleaning (upgrade feature)

Keep the tracks free of dirt and debris which can cause the Manual Drop Screen to perform poorly. Clean the vertical side tracks monthly. First, clean the left and right vertical tracks with compressed canned air, a vacuum, a hose and/or a soft brush, then wipe the tracks clean with a soft cloth and gentle detergent.

Let the tracks dry, then spray an even coat of dry silicon spray to the left and right vertical track channel. Remove any excess silicon spray. Raise and lower the Manual Drop Screen to lubricate each vertical rail channel and end cap entirely.

DO NOT use oil, WD40, grease, petroleum or oil-based sprays as these will attract dirt and impair the proper operation of your screen(s).

Screen Mesh or Fabric Cleaning

Clean the Screen Mesh or Fabric on your Manual Drop Screen with a vacuum using a soft upholstery brush attachment. Carefully vacuum both sides of the Mesh or Fabric taking caution not to snag the Screen Mesh or Fabric.

Do Not use chemicals. Test a small, unnoticeable area before cleaning the entire Screen Mesh or Fabric to confirm ideal results. After cleaning the Screen Mesh or Fabric, rinse it thoroughly and allow it to fully dry before retracting. Cleaning the unit first thing in the morning on a hot, sunny day is ideal.

Clear Flexible Vinyl Cleaning

Manual Drop Screens with Clear Vinyl can be cleaned and maintained with any products made for the care and maintenance of Clear Flexible Vinyl.

We do not make any specific recommendations other than the following:

• Wash regularly with a mild soap and water spraying down the curtain. Beware of washing with trapped grit on your cloth. Polish occasionally with any of the products made for maintenance of Clear Flexible Vinyl.
• Do Not use Rainex as this will cause hazing, discoloration, and distortion over time.
• Do Not leave curtains rolled up over prolonged periods. Roll down often to avoid clouding from trapped water, fold distortions, etc.
• Make sure the Clear Flexible Vinyl is fully dry before retracting the Manual Drop Screen.

Aluminum Cleaning (upgrade feature)

The optional housing, weight bar, and side tracks are made of extruded aluminum.

Wipe down all aluminum parts with a soft cloth and gentle detergent.

DO NOT scrub the aluminum parts, as this will damage the powder coated or anodized surface. DO NOT use Goof Off as this will damage the powder coated surface instantly.

Wind

The amount of wind your Manual Drop Screen can handle has many variables that you should be aware of:

• Size of the screen:
  • The width and height of your screen are factors. Larger screens can handle less wind due to surface area exposed to wind load.
• Type of fabric in the screen:
  • More open mesh types will withstand stronger winds than solid fabrics.
• Type of wind:
  • There are gusts, sustained winds, micro bursts, etc. Each of these can have a different effect on your screen.
• Where your screen is mounted:
  • Screens mounted against a structure can withstand stronger wind loads than screens mounted between openings out in the open with nothing behind them.

We recommend that screens stay retracted in winds over 30 mph; however, depending on the variables listed above, your screen may need to be retracted for lower wind speeds. Closely observe your screen’s reaction to wind, and do not leave your screen down when you’re not at home.

Somfy Motor (upgrade feature)

Manual Drop Screens can be converted into Motorized Drop Screens or Motorized Sun Screens with the addition of a Somfy Motor.

When retracting the screen in excessive winds, if you notice the screen struggling to retract, gently help the bottom bar/hem bar up as the motor retracts. This will protect your motor from overheating. If your Somfy Motor starts to overheat, it has a built-in thermal protection device, which will stop the motor from functioning for anywhere between 20 and 45 minutes to cool off. Once cooled down, your Classic Motorized Power Screen will start functioning properly.

Somfy Remote Control (upgrade feature)

Manual Drop Screens can be converted into Motorized Drop Screens or Motorized Sun Screens with the addition of a Somfy Motor.

Remotes (handheld and in-wall) have a limited battery life dependent upon the daily use. If the remote control light does not come on when the buttons are pressed, the battery within the remote control needs to be replaced.

Constant Power (upgrade feature)

Manual Drop Screens can be converted into Motorized Drop Screens or Motorized Sun Screens with the addition of a Somfy Motor.

Interruption of power can effect motorized unit operation. Ensure that power is still connected to the unit by checking circuit breakers and ground faults for resetting.

If power is disconnected, do not use the remote control for 1 minute after power is reconnected as the motor will be in factory program mode.