MoonShade FAQ


Find detailed info below about MoonShade purchases, features, setup, care, and design. If you have a question about how to setup or use MoonShade and can’t find the answers below, send us a product support request here. If you need help with a Moon purchase or shipment, contact us here.

Free Shipping on MoonShade Awning Orders

Free shipping deal applies to any orders that total $300 USD or more. At this time, free shipping applies to Standard Shipping to destinations within the 48 contiguous United States for shipping rates totaling under $35. International, Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Postal Territories, and expedited delivery will incur normal shipping rates.

Free shipping discount will be auto-applied in cart during checkout. Deal begins 10/1/2022 at 12:01am CT.

MoonShade/MoonWall Bundle Deal

Purchase one MoonShade and a MoonWall Short or MoonWall Long and receive $10 off each MoonWall. Can be combined with certain other discounts, including MoonShade referral discount and free shipping promotions. Deal can be redeemed once per transaction, for $10 off each MoonWall bundled with the MoonShade. Deal will be auto-applied at checkout, no code needed. Exclusions may apply. Moon reserves the right to limit or discontinue the bundle deal at any time.

Purchasing & Shipping

If you have a discount code, first add MoonShade to your cart here as well as any other MoonAnchors and accessories. When you're ready to checkout, click your cart at the top right of the screen and select "Checkout".

If you're shopping on a mobile device, enter your information and shipping address, select your shipping option, and enter the discount code on the "Payment" page. In the input labeled "Discount", enter your code and click the arrow button to apply the discount. You will see the discount reflected at the top of the page.

If you're shopping on a personal computer, enter your code into the input next to the “Apply" button. Once your code is entered, click “Apply,” and you’ll see the discount reflected in your shopping cart.

Discount codes are not combinable and only one discount code will be applied at checkout.

For help placing an order, or if you’re having trouble with an existing order, use our Order Support form here.

MoonShade is currently exclusively available through our website. To buy now, click here.

Orders to the lower 48 United States usually arrive within 4-7 business days of your purchase.

Orders for in-stock items are typically processed within 2-3 business days. Processing times may be longer (4-6+ business days) during peak spring and summer travel seasons and during the winter holidays. If you need your order more quickly, please contact Moon Customer Experience.

Orders containing backorder or out-of-stock items may not ship until all items are available. Contact Moon Customer Experience for assistance.

Moon currently offers shipping to:

-United States

-Canada

-United Kingdom

-Ireland

-Germany

-Australia

-New Zealand.

To get an accurate shipping charge calculation for your order, add MoonShade and other items to your cart. Then, proceed to checkout and enter your shipping address within one of the seven destination countries. Your shipping charge will appear if valid address information is provided.

Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU)

Moon international orders are delivered duty unpaid (DDU). The purchaser/recipient of the order is responsible for calculating and paying the exact duty and taxes owed for the specific order upon receipt. This amount is in addition to the shipping charge collected at checkout.

Moon orders are shipped via UPS, DHL, or USPS depending on the location of the destination (e.g., Orders sent to PO Boxes will ship via USPS).

For U.S. orders, we offer Standard or Express shipping at checkout.

For International orders, we offer UPS Worldwide Expedited or Saver at checkout.

Please note: Orders to addresses outside of the U.S. are delivered duty unpaid (DDU) and the recipient is responsible for calculating and paying any taxes and import fees at receipt of the order.

For assistance with a delivery, please contact the carrier, or email Moon for assistance at support@moonfab.com.

Here at Moon Fabrications we are committed to 100% customer satisfaction. If you are not completely satisfied with your Moon order, please contact us here within 30 days of purchase to receive a refund. We can only accept your return of new product with the tags still attached. For returns requested after 30 days, we offer store credit only.

If you need repairs or replacement parts, please use the form on the product support page here.

Cancellations placed before your order has shipped will not be charged.

Please note: Depending on the reason for your return a shipping fee will be deducted from your refund to cover the cost of shipping when you use the prepaid label provided via email. Any additional shipping costs that occur will also be deducted from your refund.

We do our best to process returns and exchanges within 7-10 business days of receipt at our warehouse.

General Return Instructions:

Once you have your return label, please follow these steps:

1. Print your return label provided via email.

2. Pack the products and their original packaging inside the original shipping box (if possible). Please make sure to add your proof of purchase inside the box.

3. Tape your package up securely and attach the return shipping label to the front. Make sure all other shipping labels are removed or scratched out with dark marker. Tip: Attach a piece of paper over the previous labels and then affix the return label.

Once we receive your return, we will issue your refund or store credit. Refunds will take 7-10 business days to post to the original form of payment.

Note: We are unable to process returns outside of the United States or Canada.

Route is a package tracking and shipping protection provider. We support brands by protecting their customers’ online orders from damage, loss, and theft. If something goes wrong, customers (that’s you!) can quickly and conveniently resolve their issue in just a few steps. And, they can track all their orders in one place via our mobile app.

Please note: if the customer chooses not to Opt in to Route shipping insurance, Moon is not responsible for any damage, loss, or theft that may occur while in the hands of the carrier in transit to the delivery location.

Features & Technical Details

There are MANY things that make MoonShade awesome, but we want to focus on the easily digestible number of THREE. The top three things that make MoonShade stand out from other options on the market are its versatility, portability, and design.

1. Versatile

While many of the awnings and sunshades on the market are designed for only one purpose or space (i.e, the side of a vehicle, the beach, etc.), with MoonShade, we’ve created a shade solution that is as versatile as your imagination. Our simple and thoughtful design allows you to attach MoonShade to any kind of vehicle, as well as trees, fences, patios, and anything else you might come up with.

Looking for a sunshade to hook to the fence at your kid’s ballgame

MoonShade has you covered.

Looking for an awning to mount to the back of your SUV to tailgate and grill-out in comfort before the big game?

MoonShade has you covered.

Looking for a sunshade to attach to a tree while you’re camping?

MoonShade has you covered.

Looking for the perfect van life awning that you can mount to the side of your vehicle, but quickly pack up to take elsewhere as well?

MoonShade has you covered.

Using the included carabiners, suction cups, and strut pole, along with fixed mounting points (roof racks, fences), and other accessories you may already have at home (such as hammock straps), the configurations of MoonShade become endless.

With MoonShade, you’re covered.

2. Portable

Because we designed MoonShade to be versatile, we also made it easily portable because we want you to be able to quickly pack it up and comfortably carry it wherever you’re going. MoonShade packs up to about the size of a yoga mat carrier and weighs in at under 8 pounds. The lightweight carry bag with shoulder strap makes traveling with it a cinch.

3. Well Designed

At every turn, we designed MoonShade with you in mind, using high-quality lightweight but strong materials for MoonShade fabric, poles, and accessories. Placing the tension poles above (but not in contact with) the fabric, we’re able to create a strong self-supporting structure. The slightly-domed shape created by the arc of the tension poles also allows for rain to roll off the sides of MoonShade and evenly disperses light from your lantern clipped to the underside of MoonShade.

For more feature information, see our main product page.

Not including anchors, a packed MoonShade (9ft x 7ft) weighs about 8lbs.

Not including anchors, a packed MoonShade XL (12ft x 9ft) weighs about 12.6lbs.

The front upright support poles are adjustable and extend to a maximum height of ~ 8 ft. MoonShade can certainly be mounted higher than this, it will simply tilt downward.

Yes! While MoonShade is not technically “waterproof,” it will shed rain in much the same way as an umbrella does. That is, there isn’t a waterproof membrane or coating and the seams are unsealed, but the 420D ripstop polyester fabric is water-resistant and will shed rainwater off the sides and away from what’s beneath it.

In our manufacturing process, we’ve opted not to use chemical waterproofing treatments or polyurethane/DWR coatings. This was done for two reasons: First, these coatings decrease the service life of the fabric, so MoonShade should enjoy a much longer life in the sun without the added coatings. And second, many of these coatings are very harmful to the environment. While there are no special waterproofing treatments, polyester fabrics by nature absorb less water and dry faster than their nylon counterparts. The domed shape also helps to shed water more efficiently, where flat awnings often sag as water puddles on their surface.

MoonShade's seams can be sealed to improve wet weather performance using the instructions here. Some users will experience dripping at MoonShade's unsealed seams during sustained or heavy rain.

Please note that while MoonShade can work well to shield you from light rain and was designed to be durable and strong, no awning is engineered for extreme weather or environments, including thunderstorms or gusty winds. If bad weather moves in, it is safest for you, others, and your equipment to stow your MoonShade until it passes. Don’t forget to dry it out once the sun returns!

In addition to looking great during the day, the reflective coating reflects and blocks the sun’s rays, keeping you cooler. At night, it evenly reflects the light from your LED lantern (not included). The domed shape of MoonShade keeps more light under MoonShade to illuminate all of your after-dark shenanigans.

Set Up

Of course. In addition to all of the great features we’ve mentioned above, here are some standout features we think are the bee’s knees:

- A simple cord pull set-up allows you to easily mount MoonShade to high/out-of-reach points.

- The included strut pole allows you to mount MoonShade to narrow structures or use only one mounting point (for attaching to a tree, for example).

- In addition to resting on the ground, using two suction cups to replace the rubber feet of the support poles, you can set up an angled attachment of the support poles, affixing the base of the poles to your vehicle with the suction cups. This configuration opens a bit more space under MoonShade.

All of these are described further below… read on!

MoonShade is simple and quick to set up, even for one person. With practice, one person can set up MoonShade in about 5 minutes. Your first few set ups will take a bit longer as you figure out the best method for your vehicle, so more like 10 minutes to start. Two people can setup MoonShade even faster!

MoonShade XL to be easily set up by two people in less than 5 minutes. If you anchor your MoonShade out of reach (like the roof of a tall van), you don’t have to climb up or get out a ladder—the MoonShade can be anchored from the ground using a simple cord pull, allowing you to connect and disconnect your MoonShade with ease, without your feet ever leaving the ground. With MoonShade XL being 70% bigger than MoonShade (9ft by 7ft) we do not recommend setting it up or breaking it down as one person as it is a risk to the safety of the individual as well as to the MoonShade XL itself. Having a buddy for this will make set up and break down easier, quicker, and safer.

Because of the size of MoonShade XL (12ftx9ft), and the need for the anchor points to be either set at 12ft or 9ft, this series will be compatible with larger vehicles and units, like but not limited to RVs, larger Vans (e.g., Sprinters, Transits, + Promasters), Airstreams (e.g., Basecamp), medium and large travel trailers, fifth wheels, and more.

Please note: XL anchors are sold-separately.

For securing down the MoonShade XL, folks may choose from any of the following anchor options (semi- & permanent):

All the awesomeness of the original 4.5″ SeaSucker, but with a stainless steel D-ring for holding ropes, straps, etc. SeaSucker vacuum cups lend themselves to an almost infinite number of uses (e.g., windows, body panels, smooth fiberglass, etc.). If you need to attach something to a rigid, non-porous surface without drilling any holes, this is the best way to do it. You can choose to simply use Nite Ize Gear Ties (must have a roof rack or other fixed point at 9ft or 12ft to loop ties on) as a semi permanent anchor.

Our semi-permanent Adhesive Aluminum Anchors are popular for their always-ready install and secure performance in light and moderate winds.

Our Pad Eye Anchors are the strongest permanent anchoring method that uses a stainless steel pad and eye mounted with 3M VHB adhesive and included self-tapping screws. [These are our top recommendation if you cannot mount directly to the roof rack or existing roof hardware and don’t mind making holes (please always contact the manufacturer of your vehicle before any drilling) in your unit.]

We also offer Sprinter Rail, 1/2" (Basecamp) Awning Rail, 3/8" Awning Rail and 5/16" Awning Rail anchors in case your unit/vehicle has an awning rail channel (check with your manufacturer for location and sizing) as these are considered permanent anchor options.

MoonShade comes with several thin lines of paracord that can be attached to the carabiners to create simple cord pulls that will allow you to clip the carabiners to out-of-reach anchor/mounting points without your feet leaving the ground. Stay tuned for a setup instruction video!

The strut pole is included for use whenever you are mounting the short side of MoonShade (9ft x 7ft) to a structure that is narrower than MoonShade (9ft x 7ft) . In other words, in setups where MoonShade (9ft x 7ft) will actually be longer than what you are attaching it to. It works well for mounting MoonShade (9ft x 7ft) to small vehicles or attaching MoonShade (9ft x 7ft) to structures with a single mounting/anchor point, such as a tree.

If this applies to your setup situation, you can attach the strut pole by feeding the pole through the webbing loop along the center of the short side of MoonShade (9ft x 7ft) fabric that will be attached to the mounting location, then connect the grommet pins on each end of the pole through the grommets on the corners of MoonShade (9ft x 7ft) fabric.

Please note: the Strut Pole is not included with or compatible with the MoonShade XL.

If you have mounted the long side of MoonShade to your vehicle using either fixed anchor points (such as a roof rack or another fixed point on your roof) or another strong, non-suction cup mounting solution, you have a second option for the placement of your upright support poles.

The first option is to set the poles upright with the base on the ground (standard setup). To do this, simply attach the support poles to the front corners of MoonShade’s fabric by connecting the grommet pins at the top end of the poles through the grommets in the front corners of the fabric. Extend the bottom ends of the poles to the ground and adjust the height as necessary.

The second option is to use suction cups to affix the poles to the side of your vehicle at a 45° angle, keeping the base of the pole off the ground and opening up a bit more space at the front of MoonShade. To do this, remove the rubber feet on the base of the support poles and replace them with the non-velcro suction cups using the pinholes at the base of the poles to affix the suction cups. Attach the top of the support poles to MoonShade fabric as noted above, then extend the poles back to the vehicle, affixing the suction cups and locking them in place.

Note that it is not recommended to affix the upright support poles to the vehicle with suction cups if you are already using suction cups for the top anchors of MoonShade.

When we refer to anchors in our descriptions, we are referring to what you are using to mount MoonShade. Typically when you set up MoonShade, one side will be mounted (“anchored”) to some sort of structure - a vehicle, fence, tree, etc. - and the other side will be supported by the upright support poles. The points/parts/pieces you are using to mount MoonShade are referred to as “anchors.”

For the side of MoonShade that is mounted to a structure, you have several options for how you can anchor MoonShade. Depending on your setup situation, you may use fixed/permanent anchors or set up temporary anchors.

Fixed anchors are things that are already available on or attached to what you are mounting MoonShade to. They may be the structure itself. Some examples would be mounting MoonShade directly to the roof rack of your vehicle or directly to a chain link fence. MoonShade comes with sturdy carabiners attached to each corner, so you will typically be anchoring MoonShade by clipping the carabiners to your anchors. In the case of a chain link fence, you can clip the carabiners directly to the fence. Depending on the bar size and length (or width) of your vehicle’s roof rack, you may also be able to clip/anchor MoonShade directly to the roof rack with the carabiners.

In many setup situations, fixed anchors are not available. In this case, you can set up temporary anchors. Temporary anchors are accessory parts that you can set up to serve as anchors and then remove when you are finished using MoonShade. We’ve designed MoonShade to be versatile, so there are many temporary anchor options that you can use to set MoonShade up in different locations.

To assist with set up, we’ve included a set of four heavy-duty suction cups that can be used as anchors in MoonShade Original and Golden Hour orders (MoonShade XL anchors need to be purchased separately). Two of the suction cups have velcro straps, to be used when you are mounting the short side of MoonShade using the strut pole, and two of the suction cups are without velcro straps and can be used when you are mounting the long side of 9ftx7ft MoonShade (see the setup guide here).

The suction cups work best on vehicles with metal surfaces and will suction the best to spaces that are flat and clean. While they will work with most vehicles, due to the shape and materials of some vehicles, suction cups will not necessarily work for every setup. Suction cups also work very well on glass/windows, making them a great solution if you are setting MoonShade up along a storefront window or similar location (we don’t want those Girl Scouts (or their cookies) to melt).

Both! MoonShade is extremely versatile and can be mounted on either its long sides (9ft) or short sides (7ft). As long as anchors or attachment points can be placed at either 9ft or 7ft distance, MoonShade's corner carabiners can attach for simple setup.

See FAQ What is the strut pole for? if you must place anchor points less than 7ft apart.

Both! MoonShade XL can be mounted on either of its long sides (12ft) or short sides (9ft). Because of the size of the MoonShade XL (12ftx9ft), and the need for the anchor points to be either set at 12ft or 9ft, this series will be compatible with larger vehicles and units, like but not limited to RVs, larger Vans (e.g., Sprinters, Transits, + Promasters), Airstreams (e.g., Basecamp), medium and large travel trailers, fifth wheels, and more.

Note: the XL is not compatible with the Strut Pole.

Product Care, Warnings, & Warranty

Like any sunshade, awning, or tent, make sure to give your MoonShade a little TLC from time to time.

The Basics: Wash it when it’s dirty. Keep it Clean. Let it Dry. Store it Dry.

Cleaning

Keeping both MoonShade fabric and poles clean will help to extend the life and performance of MoonShade. Clean your shade after each trip or periodically/seasonally depending on the amount of use. Take special care to clean MoonShade if it’s been exposed to especially grimy and gritty things like tree sap, bird droppings, fine dust, sand, or salt/sea-spray from the ocean air. Salts can be particularly damaging, so always wipe down your shade, all poles, and any other accessories after leaving an ocean environment.
Often an easy wipe down with a damp cloth is all that is needed; however, below are some additional tips for cleaning.

To Clean:

Never machine wash or dry MoonShade fabric. Hand wash only!

Use a mild, non-detergent soap and a soft bristle or non-abrasive brush or sponge.

Avoid using any harsh household cleaners such as bleach, harsh dish soaps, spot removers, or other laundry pre-wash products. Also avoid perfumed products.

Don’t forget to wipe down the poles! Use a washcloth or soft sponge to wipe any dirt, grime, etc. off the poles.

Rinse everything with cool/cold water.

Allow MoonShade fabric to completely air dry. See below for more drying info and tips!

Drying

If it has rained, you’ve washed MoonShade, or it’s otherwise gotten wet in a massive water balloon fight or sprinkler storm, make sure to let everything, especially MoonShade fabric, dry out before packing it away.

Never pack MoonShade away when it is still wet!! Storing while wet is one of the quickest and easiest ways to damage your shade fabric. Storing the fabric while wet, especially in hot or warm weather, can cause the fabric to mildew. Not only will mildew give your tent a particular funk, it can also break down fabric coatings and may leave stains. Stains from mildew are often permanent and the use of harsh chemical cleaners to remove mildew or other stains can damage MoonShade fabric and fabric coatings.

Mildew, dirt, stains and/or damage from improper use of sprays, coatings, cleaning agents, or other non-recommended substances are not considered a manufacturer’s defect and are not covered under the product warranty.

To Dry:

Unfold MoonShade completely

Drape or hang it indoors or in a shaded outdoor spot. Shaded, you say? Yes. Your MoonShade works hard to keep you in MoonShade. Whenever possible, give it a break from UV rays and dry it out in a shaded area.

Allow to air dry completely.

Storage

Ensure the entire shade is dry before folding it up and storing it away! And.. a note on storing. It’s equally important that you store your shade in a cool dry place. Storing in a warm, damp, or musty location, such as a basement, attic, or car trunk, can also cause mildew. If you must store it in a location that isn’t ideal, store it in a sealed plastic tub, bin, or another container.

Yes, one more thing. It’s not a bad idea to reapply UV protectant annually*. While MoonShade fabric is constructed of a heavy UV-coated polyester, reapplying UV protectant annually will help to extend the life of the fabric.

*How often you need to reapply will depend on how often you are using MoonShade. If it’s something you are busting out quite a bit (hooray!), reapply annually. If you only use MoonShade from time-to-time, you won’t need to reapply as often.

Everything comes with a disclaimer tag… what are the product warnings?

To protect yourself, others, and MoonShade, please take the following precautions.

Keep away from flames.

Keep all flames and heat sources away from MoonShade fabric. Nylon, polyester, and other synthetic fabrics typically resist ignition; however, if left in continuous contact with a flame source, they will ignite. Once they do start to burn and melt, they will turn into a molten goo that is very scary and will cause serious burns. Keep your shade well away from all flame sources.

Don’t set up in high winds.

With solid structural anchoring, MoonShade can withstand winds up to 30mph. It is not engineered for more extreme weather or environments.

Always make sure all guylines are secure.

Take care to ensure that all guylines are secure and fully tensioned to ensure your MoonShade is as stable as possible.

Do not leave your MoonShade set up unattended.

Don’t leave MoonShade set up unattended for long periods of time. In the event of a freak wind, storm, or other natural (or manmade) disaster, it’s best to be near.

Do not spray MoonShade fabric with other coatings/treatments/materials.

Other than reapplying UV Protectant annually and using a mild soap to clean MoonShade, do not use any other sprays, coatings, cleaners or other substances on MoonShade fabric.

Summary

We built MoonShade to last a long time and we guarantee it against defects for the life of the product. Like anything else in the sun, it won’t last forever, but until the elements take their toll, we’ve got you covered. When MoonShade fabric finally succumbs to the elements, you can recycle your old fabric and purchase a replacement shade fabric at about half the cost of a new MoonShade.

Details

We guarantee your MoonShade against material and manufacturer construction defects. Moon’s warranty does not cover general wear and tear or damage caused by the environment or the user.

The MoonShade fabric canopy, like any fabric, will eventually succumb to the effects of the elements, especially UV rays. How long it lasts depends on how much sun it’s exposed to and how much/how you use it, but we built it out of heavy UV-coated polyester, so it will last a long time.

Note that mildew, dirt, stains, and/or damage from improper use of sprays, coatings, cleaning agents, or other non-recommended substances are not considered a manufacturer’s defect and are not covered under the product warranty.

Registration
This warranty applies to the original purchaser of MoonShade and is not transferable. Your original order confirmation receipt is all you need to request warranty service for Moon products. Please contact us here or email us at support@moonfab.com for additional assistance.

Product Design & Manufacturing

MoonShade was dreamed and designed by Matthew Pearson in San Francisco, California. Together with co-founder Henry Proegler, Moon is committed to creating products that are simple, elegant, and versatile.

MoonShade is manufactured in China. We have chosen some of the best tent-making manufacturers in the world, sourcing and assembling our product in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.

We’d love to hear from you. Use the following links to ask a question or give feedback on your experience with MoonShade.

- Order/Sales Support

- Product Support

- Leave a Review