IMPORTANT HANGING INFORMATION

This information is given without legal liability and assumes a knowledge of decorating principles, basic competence, and the use of correct tools and equipment for the work.  The information is not intended to cover every situation and should be used as a general guide only.  If at any time before or during installation you do not understand these application instructions, or if a discrepancy is discovered in a pattern or colour, STOP !!!. Contact your distributor before proceeding. Deviation from these application instructions will void the manufacturer’s warranty.  Make sure you understand what to expect from the product you have selected when hung and check that it is acceptable to your client.  Plain designs will be less forgiving on poor wall surfaces than busy designs. It must however be emphasized that wallcoverings will not “hide” a poorly prepared wall. 

BEFORE YOU START

 • Store the wallcovering in a clean, dry and protected environment.  

• Ensure the wallcoverings are as ordered, specified and labeled and have not been damaged in transport.  

• Check that you have sufficient material to complete the job before cutting.  

• Never fill-in with off-cuts.  

• Ensure that you have the correct  adhesive for the specific material to be hung as well as site circumstances.  

• Check the product specific requirements regarding adhesive pasting, on the wall or on the back of the material as well as specific requirements regarding pattern matching, overlap & trimming of joints.  

• Ensure adequate site conditions with good permanent lighting and ventilation, a clean work area, ambient temperature of between 10°C and 28°C and relative humidity of 50% and less. Excessive ambient temperatures and relative humidity should be avoided before, during and after hanging until adhesive is fully dried.  Check the general condition of the building as well as signs of dampness. Wallcoverings do not cause mould to grow, mould growth is a consequence of excessive moisture. The four factors that influence mould growth in a building are a buildings tightness, liquid water infiltration from outside, moisture condensation on cold surfaces and moisture generated within the building by the buildings occupants. 

SURFACE PREPARATION

Wallcoverings can be installed over almost any surface providing the surface has been properly prepared.  

Correct identification of surfaces, and the appropriate preparation is therefore critical to successful hanging.  

It is your responsibility to check individual site circumstances and to correctly identify the surface onto which you are hanging as well as determining the correct surface preparation for your site circumstances.  

Newly plastered surfaces must not have excessive quantities of lime or alkali and surfaces should not contain in excess of 5 to 7% residual moisture when measured with a good moisture meter.  

Two coat plaster or skimmed walls must be carefully inspected to ensure that Rinolite has been applied in accordance with manufacturers instructions especially with regard to “polishing” the product as well as priming as it directly affects absorption and substrate suitability.  Surface to be covered should have a uniform colour to prevent “show through” or ghosting especially on light coloured or lightweight wallcovering material.

GENERAL GUIDELINE:  

• All surfaces must be smooth, clean, dry and structurally sound.  

• Remove all surface contamination, e.g. dirt, grease and pigmented marks such as felt pen markings, etc. Wash off using a detergent solution, rinse and allow to thoroughly dry. Use Polycell Sugar Soap, in accordance with manufacturers instructions, to remove stubborn dirt and grime.

• Remove any loose or flaking paint.  

• Strip and remove any existing wallcovering completely (including backing) DO NOT DOUBLE HANG. Remove remaining adhesive with hot water, sand surface with a medium grit sandpaper to a smooth and even finish.  

• Wipe the surface with your bare hand, checking for any pigment or colour transfer from the surface to your hand. If the pigment or colour transfers, then the wall is not sound.  

• Take a wet sponge, hold it against the painted surface for 15 to 20 seconds, checking for any pigments or colour transfer from the surface to the sponge. If the pigment or colour transfers, then the wall is not sound.  

• If a painted surface is found to be “unsound” by any of the above tests, then the paint must be removed.  

• Treat existing mould and mildew with AntiFungicidal / Anti-Mould Concentrate in accordance with manufacturers instruction.  

• Fill cracks and holes with Polyfilla  ready mixed filler in accordance with manufacturers instruction, and sand to blend in. 
 

TYPICAL ABSORBENT SURFACES:  

• Typical absorbent surfaces include uncoated plaster, Gypsum Board and wood. Similar surfaces can have different absorption rates e.g. the mix and application of plaster can affect the absorption rate.  

• Apply one coat Plascon Plaster Primer or, on powdery or alkali surfaces, one coat Plascon Alkali Resistant Plaster Primer in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.  

• Typically existing PVA or Acrylic painted walls, providing that good quality paint was used and that the surface is sound, does not require a primer.

TYPICAL NON-ABSORBENT SURFACES:  

• Typical non-absorbent surfaces are metal, Formica, Fibreglass, most oil based paints (Enamel, Velvaglo, etc). Existing Enamel / Oil based painted walls must, after proper sanding, be painted with a coat of Plascon Universal Undercoat in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. 

HANGING

Do not allow adhesive to get onto the face of any wallcovering as complete removal may be impossible.  

Check the product specific requirements regarding adhesive pasting, on the wall or on the back of the material as well as specific requirements regarding pattern matching, overlap & trimming of joints.  

Never fill-in with off cuts over doors or windows etc. only use a full width product (in number sequence).

Always allow the material to settle for at least 15 minutes before trimming the top and bottom of each drop.  

Use a spatula spreader, or rubber / plastic roller in an up and down direction only, not across as it may stretch the wallcovering.  Overworking or using a hard roller / spatula, may damage the material edges.

When overlapping and trimming, always use a proper straight edge and take care to cut straight . Special care should be taken when trimming not to cut through into the substrate, e.g. partition Gypsum board.  Only use the recommended adhesive when hanging wallcoverings. It is preferable to spread the adhesive with a roller as this ensures an even distribution. 

GENERAL GUIDELINE:  

• Before cutting drops, ensure the pattern and colour are satisfactory as specified .

• Apply an even coat of adhesive to the backing side (back) of the wallcovering using a roller .

• The wallcovering should be applied to the surface in sequence as per the artwork layout sent in the package .  

• Cut and trim material as required by wallcovering.  

• As each drop is installed, immediately remove excess adhesive from the wallcovering surface and seams using a natural sponge (do not use a man made sponge) and a soft bristle brush (frequently rinsing in clean warm water). Dry with clean cotton towelling. 
 

MAINTENANCE  

Wallcoverings can easily be cleaned and we note below, in the order of preference, the cleaning solutions.  

• The normal cleaning of wallcoverings should be done with clear warm water and a natural sponge (do not use a man made sponge as a natural sponge’s construction does the best cleaning job). With difficult to remove deposits, the use of a soft bristled brush is recommended. The sponge should be rinsed regularly and the water changed often to ensure it remains clean and clear. After cleaning an area, dry with an absorbent cloth.  

• Stubborn dirt should be cleaned with a mild soapy warm water solution and washed down as noted above.  

•  Never use solvent based cleaning agents such as lacquer thinners, nail polish remover, turpentine or cleaning agents that contain sodium hydrochloride (bleach). Whatever cleaning method is used, always do a test panel in an inconspicuous area first.