Wallcovering Care and Maintenance
Qualified professionals should always install vinyl wallcoverings.
1) Preparation of Goods:Examine goods to assure that pattern, color, quantity and quality is as ordered. Separate goods by shade lot number and organize in roll number sequence, starting with highest number.
2) Preparation of Surface:
Surfaces to be covered must be clean, smooth, dry and structurally sound. Loose paint or other wall coverings must be removed. To ensure maximum smoothness of installation, nail heads, nicks, gouges, and other surface imperfections should be sanded smooth and sealed. On new walls, drywall joints should be taped, bedded and sanded smooth.
Walls should be checked with a suitable "moisture meter". Moisture content should not exceed five percent. Remove any mildew from walls with diluted bleach mixture and treat surfaces to inhibit further mildew growth.
Vinyl Wall coverings can be installed over almost any surface which has been properly prepared. Do not hang vinyl over ballpoint pen writing, wax crayon, ink marker, oil-based stains or any foreign matter that may bleed through the vinyl. It is suggested that lead pencil be used to mark vinyl or wall as pencil marks will not bleed through.
Glossy surfaces should either be sanded to dull the surface or an application of oil based primer or Professional Heavy Duty Primer should be applied.
On new drywall, if future removal is desired and no primer is specified, use Benjamin Moore Fresh Start primer products, and Roman 880 Clear HD Adhesive. Some drywall joint compounds, contrast with the drywall paper surface, showing strong light and telegraphed areas. Light colored, lightweight wall coverings may allow show-through due to their limited amount of opacity. Should this happen, we recommend that you consult a Benjamin Moore Dealer nearest you, or contact the Wallscape sales representative for information.
3) Application of Wall Covering:
Before hanging, examine pattern for color uniformity and repeat in design. Some patterns should be registered or reversed, depending on texture and color, in order to ensure color uniformity. Only full widths of material should be used for the most satisfactory installation. All material must be installed in roll sequence (numerical) within a shade lot starting with the highest number first and going in decreasing order, with each strip in sequence as cut from the roll.
For reversible patterns, every other strip of the wall covering should be reversed (hang top to bottom and on the next strip reverse bottom to top) to insure color uniformity. Headers can cause unsatisfactory shading if hung out of sequence. The wall covering is pre-trimmed and much of it can be butt-seamed. Overlapping, double-cutting and pre-trimming both have advantages in making acceptable seams. Do not "score" dry wall when double-cutting.
4) Characteristics and Variables:
As with all vinyl wall coverings, certain deeply embossed, non-design print patterns will provide a more satisfactory seam if a two to three inch selvage cut is taken from each side of the sheet. When hanging materials it is best to observe from a distance the first three sheets hung before continuing. This will indicate whether or not a deeper "cut-back" is in order. Apply an even coat of adhesive to fabric side of material using a stiff bristle brush, roller or pasting machine in accordance with label recommendations. The wall covering should be applied to the wall as soon as the adhesive has become tacky. Smooth surface, working out air bubbles as you go. As each strip is installed, immediately remove excess adhesive from wall covering surface and seams using a natural sponge and a soft bristle brush frequently rinsed in clean warm water. Dry with clean cloth, professional vinyl cleaner/wallpaper remover should be used where adhesive has dried.
The following are our recommended preparation and installation adhesives for vinyl wall covering:
- Roman PRO 880 Clear Heavy Duty Vinyl Wallcovering Paste
- R-35 Clear Wall Sizing
- Benjamin Moore Primers and Paint Products are recommended by Wallscape - Consult your nearest dealer for advise
These recommended wall covering adhesive products have been specifically developed for use in these applications. We are not responsible for the appearance and performance of wall covering not applied according to these instructions.
Vertical joints should not occur less than 6" from outside and inside corners.
Do not install wall coverings unless a temperature
above 55°F is maintained in both areas of installation and storage.
Permanent building lights should be available for installation.
If, after applying three (3) strips, there is some question of appearance, stop and contact us.
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5) Hanging Wall Covering Over Existing Wall covering:
While we know that many customers hang over existing wall covering, Wallscape does not recommend this practice. We suggest that the old wall covering be removed first before installing new vinyl wall covering. If a customer chooses to hang our wall covering over existing wall covering, there are adhesion-promoting primers sold at your local Benjamin Moore Dealer.
Single layer installations typically have fewer problems with blisters and other installation defects than installations with multiple layers.
Hanging the wall covering over existing wall covering voids our Limited Warranty on the wall covering.
6) Hanging Wall Covering Over Painted Wall covering:
Wallscape does not recommend either painting over vinyl wall covering or hanging additional layers of vinyl wall covering over existing vinyl wall covering.
If the customer chooses to hang over a painted wall covering, the primary area of concern is to insure the paint on the existing wall covering has adequate adhesion to the old wall covering. Scratching the surface of the paint and doing a tape peel test should be done to test this adhesion. If the adhesion is satisfactory, the tape will not remove the paint from the existing wall covering.
Assuming that the paint has adequate adhesion to the existing wall covering, it should then be coated with an adhesion promoting primers sold at your Benjamin Moore dealer. After using an adhesion promoting primer, new wall covering can then be hung with the recommended wall covering adhesive.
Wallscape is not responsible for the appearance and performance of wall covering not applied according to these instructions.
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While we know that many customers hang over existing wall covering, Wallscape does not recommend this practice. We suggest that the old wall covering be removed first before installing new vinyl wall covering. If a customer chooses to hang our wall covering over existing wall covering, there are adhesion-promoting primers sold at your local Benjamin Moore Dealer.
Single layer installations typically have fewer problems with blisters and other installation defects than installations with multiple layers.
Hanging the wall covering over existing wall covering voids our Limited Warranty on the wall covering.
6) Hanging Wall Covering Over Painted Wall covering:
Wallscape does not recommend either painting over vinyl wall covering or hanging additional layers of vinyl wall covering over existing vinyl wall covering.
If the customer chooses to hang over a painted wall covering, the primary area of concern is to insure the paint on the existing wall covering has adequate adhesion to the old wall covering. Scratching the surface of the paint and doing a tape peel test should be done to test this adhesion. If the adhesion is satisfactory, the tape will not remove the paint from the existing wall covering.
Assuming that the paint has adequate adhesion to the existing wall covering, it should then be coated with an adhesion promoting primers sold at your Benjamin Moore dealer. After using an adhesion promoting primer, new wall covering can then be hung with the recommended wall covering adhesive.
Wallscape is not responsible for the appearance and performance of wall covering not applied according to these instructions.
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Care and Maintenance
Wallscape vinyl wall covering is treated with a clear water base coating. This coating aids in the stain resistance and easy cleaning of wall covering in an environmentally safe manner. However, any dirt smudges or stains should be removed as quickly as possible to eliminate a possible reaction between the contaminant and the wall covering. Reaction time is especially important for removing stains such as ink, paint, lipstick, oils, etc., as these materials will dry and be difficult to remove.Materials, such as chewing gum, crayon and paint should be scraped off prior to other cleaning attempts.
Cleaning Directions
Normal cleaning should be done with mild ingredients such as soap detergent and water or liquid household cleaner such as "Lestiol" or "Windex". If the stain still persists, try "Goo-Be-Gone" or "Goof-Off". As with all stain removal, one should evaluate the cleaner in an inconspicuous location using a natural sponge with a textured surface. With difficult to remove deposits, a soft bristle brush is recommended. Always rinse thoroughly with clean water changing water often so that it remains clean and clear. After cleaning an area, be sure to dry with an absorbent cloth so the affected area can be examined to assure complete cleaning. Always remember to read all labeled precautions when using any cleaning agents. Repeated use of cleaners on vinyl wall coverings will cause wall covering to lose its luster.
Contact us for material safety data sheet and specifications of each wall covering type.
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