Avoid Mishaps, Save Time & Maintain an Attractive Look

Don’t Force It (1 of 10)

If you have difficulty zipping down your enclosure please don’t force or use a tool such as pliers. Try alternating by zipping down each side of your enclosure a foot or two at a time. 

Keep it low-maintenance! And the shine alive!

1. Polish the clear portion once or twice per year using Novus cleaner/wax included in your care kit.

2. In the fall and spring, you will be rolling your enclosure up and down more often. This is a good opportunity to polish your enclosure as it will keep debris from sticking and provide a nice shine and reduce the need to wash your enclosure prior to rolling.

Things to Avoid

AVOID MOST DETERGENTS. STICK WITH A MILD SOAP (Joy, Ivory, Dawn, 7th Generation, Dishmate, Ecover) or our Novus cleaner. Apply with a clean, soft cloth or microfiber towel to gently clean the window. Never use harsh brushes or abrasives when cleaning plastic windows. Do not use products containing silicones, ammonia, or alcohol on your plastic window, such as typical commercial vinyl care products and glass cleaners.

DO NOT RUB THE CLEAR VINYL WHEN DRY – this will scratch the window. Always flood the window with water before gently wiping it with a damp, soft cloth.

Rolling Your Enclosure

1. Make sure curtains are free of dirt & debris before rolling. Rinse off any dirt or salt build-up prior to rolling up your enclosure (hose down). For more stubborn buildup, wipe down with mild soap & microfiber towel.

2. When rolling your enclosure it is always a good idea to start by hand rolling, especially if it will be up for extended periods of time. This will help reduce wrinkling the next time your enclosure is down.

Pull Cord Mistakes

1. To avoid UV refracting in the summer sun be sure your curtains are rolled up so that the clear vinyl is encased in fabric.

2. Do not leave your curtains partially rolled up so the pull cords rest on the clear portion of the clear vinyl for extended periods of time. The clear vinyl may take on the shape of the pull cords in direct sunlight.

3. Avoid pulling and tying off the pull cord too tightly, especially if the curtain isn’t rolled smoothly.

Winter Enclosure

If you plan to keep your system down for the winter, we recommend lowering all panels when the temperature is above 60 degrees. As temperatures decrease you may have some difficulty fastening your enclosure.

Cold Weather

Once the thermometer starts dropping and the crisp fall air sets in, you may experience difficulty closing your system. This is normal! The clear vinyl is getting tighter due to the cooler temps. We recommend using a Portable Forced Air Propane Heater. Having one of these in your maintenance kit is highly recommended. Blowing the heated air across the curtain will allow the curtain to relax and make securing your curtain easy. It works best with 2 people, one to hold the heater and the other to secure the curtains. Be sure to keep the heater 2-3 feet away and slowly move from side to side to ensure a uniform heat.

Freezing Temperatures

Avoid rolling up any portion of your PES with clear vinyl when temperatures are below freezing. While the clear vinyl has been tested to withstand flexing in sub-zero temperatures, this may reduce the longevity of your clear vinyl and fastening may prove difficult.

Inside Mounted Systems

Caring for an inside-mounted PES requires a bit more time. You can hose down through your screen from outside. To wipe down, you’ll need to detach it from vertical supports (either self-locking fasteners or zippers) and wipe with a shammy cloth and some mild detergent.

For quick maintenance of an inside-mounted PES, two people can clean it together. Wet & wipe down the inside manually with a soft shammy / cloth. To clean the outside-facing section, have one person gradually roll the panel up while the other uses a shammy to wipe down the back, section by section.

Wind Problems

1. A sure way to destroy your enclosure is to roll your system down and then forget to fasten it prior to heavy winds. Always secure your curtains when partially or fully down.

2. When sustained winds above 50-60 MPH are expected (a hurricane is in the forecast), you should strongly consider rolling up your panels – with all panels up. Contact PES for recommendations based on your unique system