ColorWall
Prefinished Wood Wallcovering
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
Important: ColorWall should only be applied by professional installers who have experience applying fabric backed wood wallcovering.
Caution – READ THIS PRIOR TO INSTALLATION
Your installation will ABSOLUTELY FAIL IF:
- You do not follow these instructions!!
- Drywall must be new, smooth, flat, unprimed, unpainted and free of any defects – Level 5 finish. A non-smooth surface may result in telegraphed imperfections.
- Humidity in the space is above 55%. HVAC system must remain on prior to, during and after installation.
- Moisture content in the wall is above 6%. Note: See reading of meter
- Humidity is allowed to rise above 55% and then lowered during any part of the installation and for 7 days after completion of installation.
- Material is not brought into the space and climatized for a full 48 hours prior to beginning the installation. Note: Do not remove material from the crate if humidity is over 55%. The material will pick up moisture and become bumpy, and may check or crack.
- Adhesive and Primer have been frozen and then thawed.
- Do not add water to adhesive or primer in order to thin it. Adhesive and Primer must be used AS IS.
- Adhesive has not reached room temperature of 65 degrees or above.
- Water is used during any step on the wood surface or cloth back.
- Solvents of any kind are used to remove adhesive or clean the panel(s).
- Adhesive is applied to wall area beyond one piece at a time. (Material will not bond to dry or partially dried adhesive).
- ColorWall must be installed within 2 weeks of receipt; after 2 weeks the material must be returned to be reconditioned.
ESTABLISHING CORRECT FIELD CONDITIONS
Moisture and Humidity are your enemy!
- The humidity in the space must be maintained at 55% or less three days prior to bringing the wallcovering into the area where it will be installed. Humidity in the space must be checked using a Taylor 5525 typehygrometer. Confirm with the general contractor that the HVAC system will remain on for the entire installation period during the night and week-end. If the HVAC system is turned off the humidity will rise. ColorWall is extremely susceptible to absorbing moisture from the atmosphere until its final installation.Exposing Colorwall to an uncontrolled environment can cause dimensional changes to the panels.
- The moisture in the wall must be checked using a DelmhoApply Primer to drywall using 3/8″ nap glue roller. Avoid runs or buildup, as these willrst BD – 2100 type moisture meter. The drywall meter should not read over 3.
- ColorWall should be left in the crate, allowing it to climatize for 48 hours prior to installation. Keep the crate off of the floors at all times. Do not place panels on concrete. Note: Do not spread out or take the wallcovering out of crate if humidity is over 55%.
- Check drywall to make sure it is smooth and flat, tape joints are tight, and the wall is clean. Be sure the wall is free from grease, soap, wax, polish, or any other contaminants that will affect adhesion of the primer. Note: For best results, studs should be placed 16″ on center to avoid as much waviness as possible.
Warning: If these conditions cannot be achieved and maintained, DO NOT install ColorWall wallcovering!!
INSTALLATION: Preparation of the wall (24 hours in advance)
- Inspect the ColorWall pieces; plan out elevations using sequences that will cover each elevation. Make sure panels are free of contaminants – dust, debris, etc.
- Apply Primer to drywall using 3/8″ nap glue roller. Avoid runs or buildup, as these will telegraph through to the finished surface. Let primer dry for 3 hours; apply second coat of primer and let it dry for 24 hours. Note: Do not prime the walls if the Delmhorst J type meter reads more than 3.
- Cover table used to apply glue with craft paper to prevent glue from getting on the face of the veneer. A clean piece of paper should be put on the table after each sheet. Note: Do not wipe the table with water at any time, the moisture will enter the veneer and expand the ColorWall. Buckling and or bubbles will occur and may not come out. If you do wipe the table down, make sure it is completely dry before you proceed.
INSTALLATION: Installing WallCovering (24 hours later)
- Apply Adhesive to drywall and back of ColorWall using 3/16″ nap glue roller. The glue layer should be spread thin and rolled out. Apply adhesive on back of ColorWall with the same roller. Only apply adhesive on the wall for one sheet at a time. Be sure to avoid puddles of adhesive. If there is build up it will be impossible to apply enough pressure for proper adhesion. Be sure to roll enough glue to wet the surface but do not leave a heavy layer.
- While the adhesive on the wall and on the ColorWall is still tacky, install ColorWall using a 9″ Flex wallcovering smoother using as much pressure as possible. Make sure all the bubbles are out before starting the next sheet. Bubbles are very difficult or impossible to remove once the adhesive is dry.
FINAL INSTALLATION NOTES:
Note 1: Double cut joints on the wall or straight line cut on the table before installation. Joints look better if double cut; however, use extreme caution. If you cut through the paper face of the drywall, the face may lift and force the joint open. We suggest that you use a zinc strip to protect the drywall.
Note 2: If adhesive gets on the veneer face, wipe off with a soft slightly damp cotton cloth; then wipe dry with soft dry cloth. This is done only after ColorWall is installed.
Note 3: After 2 hours go back and check previously installed material for bubbles. If bubbles have developed, use a sewing needle in the center of the bubble to let the air out. Work the bubble by pushing air out through the hole. If necessary, use a hot iron with a cotton cover and apply pressure.
Note 4: ColorWall Wood WallCovering is a fine wallcovering and these instructions must be followed!! This product is a type of wood paneling. Standard installation procedures used on vinyl and paper wallcovering do not apply.
Note 5: ColorWall must be installed within 2 weeks of receipt; after 2 weeks the material must be returned to be reconditioned.
Note 6 (Strong Suggestion): If anyone on the project insists that you (the Installer) ignore any of these instructions, have that person sign off on the fact that they now take responsibility for the potential failure of this installation.
TROUBLESHOOTING: Action should be taken immediately
When field conditions have been met (humidity and wall moisture are under control).
Bubbles or lifting edges: Small bubbles or lifting edges can occur when the adhesive is not applied properly (too much adhesive or not enough) or too little pressure was used when smoothing down the ColorWall. Both conditions can be remedied. First correct adhesive condition, then smooth down with intensified pressure. Use a heated iron with a cotton cover to set adhesive. Use a sewing needle to poke a small air hole in each bubble to allow trapped air to escape.
When field conditions have not been met (humidity and or wall moisture do not meet specified requirements).
Long narrow humps or bubbles: Long humps or bubbles are due to high humidity or moisture trapped behind the wallcovering. Either the primer did not fully dry or the primer was applied over wet/moist drywall. Glue may need to be injected followed by the use of a hot iron with a cotton cover, as heat is the only way to combat moisture. These symptoms can be caused by a number of conditions including:
- HVAC system being turned on during the day and off at night, or turned off on week-ends. This condition can cause the humidity in the space to rise and fall by as much as 30%. During construction, the general contractor is responsible for conditioning the space and must be notified about the need to control or correct these conditions.
- Doors to outside or doors to stairwells and windows being propped open or opened continuously will let moisture into a conditioned space very quickly. These openings must be secured and if possible the ColorWall installation should be held off until later in the construction schedule when less sub-trades are moving in and out of the space.
Cracking or Checking: Cracking or checking is due to either opening the crate in a space where the humidity is over 55% or installation of ColorWall on drywall exceeding the 6% moisture content. Cracking and Checking material cannot be repaired.
COLORWALL MAINTENANCE
Veneer Specialists’ prefinished wood wallcovering can be cleaned by wiping with a slightly damp rag followed by wiping with a clean, dry cloth, Do not use wax or any type of cleaner as this will dull or cloud the finish. This is all the maintenance required. Do not get the wallcovering wet as this will raise the grain of the wood and cause damage.
Adhesive & Primer to be used:
Either one of the following adhesives & primers can be used with the Prefinished Wood Wallcovering (ColorWall).
Manufacturer- Sherwin Williams
Primers: Primer R-35
Adhesives:VOV PRO-555