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Operation

Operation

Ziptrak® Outdoor Cable-Guided Blinds should glide easily, smoothly and quietly over the cable. If operation becomes difficult for no obvious reason, please contact the Retailer who installed your blinds.

Manual Operation

Where possible, avoid pushing the fabric during normal operation. The blind is designed to move quietly and seamlessly along the cable without additional alignment.

Motorised Operation

Supervise motorised blinds during operation. Avoid using them in high winds, as wind pressure against the fabric increases resistance and places additional load on the motor.

Wind Conditions

In light winds, gently apply hand pressure to the fabric to minimise the sail effect and help maintain smooth operation.
During high winds always leave blinds fully retracted (all the way up) or fully lowered. In extreme weather, fully retract your blinds.

Operating in Wind Pressure

Always use the crank handle to operate your blinds. Do not push or pull the bottom bar to move the blind, as this may cause damage over time.

Avoid rolling up blinds when fabric is wet or has condensation. Moisture trapped inside the rolled fabric may cause mould.

Cleaning

Fabric Cleaning

Keeping the mesh or PVC fabric clean is an important part of caring for your Ziptrak® blinds.

How to clean fabrics

  • Use a sponge or cloth with Ziptrak’s Swiftee Outdoor Blind Cleaner (or cold soapy water) to clean both sides of the fabric.
  • VuPlex cleaner and polisher can also be used for PVC blinds.
  • Allow fabric to dry before rolling up blinds.
  • Dry PVC fabrics with a cloth for best results.

What to avoid on fabrics

  • Harsh detergents, chemicals, insecticides and garden sprays.
  • Bore water or bore water sprinklers.
  • Petrochemicals or solvents.
  • High-pressure hoses.
  • Window cleaning detergents.
  • Bird droppings, dirt or stains left on fabric.

PVC will show marks more easily than Mesh. Treat the surface with care and avoid scratching with rough cloths or scourers.

Cable Cleaning

Regular cleaning of the cable helps maintain smooth operation.

How to clean cables

  • Wipe with the cable direction from top to bottom.
  • Use warm soapy water.
  • Clean independently from the fabric.

What to avoid on cables

  • Twisting against the cable natural thread rotation.
  • Dig into or pick at the cable.
  • Rough cloths and scourers.
Troubleshooting

Cable Tension Check

Problem

Your blind is not operating correctly or has lost the appearance you desire.

Cause

Loose cable tension may be affecting blind operation and appearance.

Solution

Fully retract the blind.
Apply moderate outwards pressure to the cable.
If it flexes more than 30mm, contact your Retailer for assistance.

Question & Answers

Have questions about Ziptrak® Outdoor Blinds? Find answers to the most common questions below.

Can I leave blinds down on windy days?

Ziptrak® Cable-Guided Blinds – Windy Conditions

Motorised blinds must be supervised at all times when raising or lowering.

In very strong winds, storms, or severe weather, cable-guided blinds should be fully retracted.

Correct installation is crucial for optimal performance in windy conditions.

Can Ziptrak® be installed DIY?

No. Every Ziptrak® blind is custom-made to the exact measurements of your opening with specialised components. To achieve the best fit, performance, and appearance, Ziptrak® blinds must be installed by an experienced installer of our products.

Installers in our Retailer network receive specific training in the Ziptrak® system and bring years of experience to ensure your blinds are robust and reliable. A professional installation is also essential to achieve light-blocking or light-filtering benefits of a Ziptrak® Interior blind, or the wind resistance and smooth finish of a Ziptrak® Outdoor blind.

By choosing professional installation, you can enjoy a high-quality product that lasts for years and requires minimal maintenance.

What are the maximum dimensions for Ziptrak® outdoor blinds?

The maximum dimensions of the Ziptrak® Outdoor Track-Guided blind system are:

  • 6000mm wide by 3500mm high for Sunscreen Mesh blinds.
  • 5500mm wide by 3500mm high for PVC blinds

If an outdoor space is wider than the maximum size for a single blind, a Ziptrak® removable post solution allows you to place two or more track-guided blinds side by side. Removable posts are easy to use and can be removed in under 60 seconds, creating a completely open expanse whenever you need it.

The maximum dimensions of the Ziptrak® Cable-Guided blind system are:

5500mm wide by 3500mm high for both Sunscreen Mesh and PVC blinds.

What colours are available?

The colour of your Ziptrak® Outdoor Blind can be personalised to suit your style and requirements.

Component Colours

Ziptrak® offers a standard range of 7 colours for tracks, channels, bottom bars and pelmets for its Outdoor Track-Guided system, or for a totally individual look you can choose to tailor these components with a customised powder-coat colour.

Please note custom powder-coating usually incurs an additional cost compared to the standard range.

For the Outdoor Cable-Guided system, Ziptrak® offers a standard range of 4 colours for the bottom bar and pelmet.

Customised power-coat colours for the Cable-Guided blinds may also be offered by your Retailer; this usually incurs an additional cost compared to the standard range.

Fabric Options

Once you’ve selected your fabric type—Sunscreen Mesh or PVC—you’ll have further choices to consider.

Sunscreen Mesh Fabric

  • Available in a wide variety of colours, weaves and brands.
  • The colour and weave openness of the mesh affects:
    • Visibility & Privacy – balance your view of the outdoors with desired privacy.
    • Weather Protection – tighter weaves block more wind and rain.
    • Ventilation – open weaves allow greater airflow.
    • Dust Control – tighter weaves help reduce dust entering your space.

PVC Fabric

  • Available in clear or smoke tint.
  • Provides:
    • Full outward visibility
    • Weather protection
    • No privacy
  • High-quality, dimensionally stable (DS) PVC is recommended to prevent issues such as yellowing, cloudiness, brittleness, or changes in shape from environmental conditions such as heat and humidity.
  • Achilles Roll Clear is a leading high quality Japanese DS PVC fabric for Outdoor Blinds.

Important Note

The fabric used in a Ziptrak® outdoor blind is not manufactured by Ziptrak® itself. Your retailer will guide you in selecting the right type, colour and weave to meet your needs from the outdoor fabric range that they offer.

What is the size of a Ziptrak® pelmet?

The Ziptrak® Outdoor Track-Guided blind system offers two pelmet styles: Streamline and Traditional.

Streamline Pelmets have square design with a modern sleek appearance, available in two sizes – 135mm and 165mm.

Traditional Pelmets, with a multi-angle style profile, are also available in two sizes – 135mm and 175mm.

The correct pelmet size for an Outdoor Track-Guided blind is determined by a Fabricator. Selection is based on the blind’s opening height, width, and fabric choice (Sunscreen Mesh or PVC), the pelmet size is not affected by the type of blind operation (manual or motorised). If you have multiple blinds of different sizes, your Retailer will discuss matching pelmet sizes to ensure a consistent appearance across all blinds.

The Ziptrak® Outdoor Cable-Guided blind system is available with a Streamline 135mm pelmet only.

Ziptrak® Outdoor Pelmets Compared: Streamline Premium vs Traditional Budget Options
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Outdoor Track-Guided
Tips & Tricks

Tips and advice for operating and cleaning your Ziptrak® Outdoor Track-Guided blinds.

Learn More

Interior Blinds Tips & Tricks

Tips and advice for operating, cleaning and maintaining your Ziptrak® Interior blinds.

Learn More

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