That sounds like a good idea. I actually use two of these all the time to hold an awning on. I have not had difficulties as they are, but the plastic coating would be nice. 

An alternative might be to use a good adhesive to permanently mount the rubber strips in the clamps. 

Jim

On Jul 17, 2011, at 5:55 AM, J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET> wrote:

> When I had one of those awnings I dipped the clamp ends in liquid rubber, the stuff you get at any hardware store for tool handles, and that worked pretty well. Jeff
> 
> 
> 
> Jeff Stewart
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> 
> 
> I bought a bus depot awning a while back, and just had an opportunity to set it up tonight again after a long period of non use. I didn't find it particularly difficult to assemble despite the lag in time. I just leave all the Velcro enclosures closed and slide in the poles. I was able to assemble it in under 5 minutes if that. What I do not like is these silly little clamps they supply. Seems like something that a person would put together out of pieces lying around their garage, instead of a well engineered piece of equipment. Has anyone devised an alternative to these clamps? It's really awkward trying to hold these clamps in place, line up the rubber piece, while the awning is angled towards the ground.
> 
> Troy