Installation

1) What surfaces can walltalkers® products be applied to?

99% of walltalkers products are applied over primed drywall (level 5 finish recommended). Level 5 is the highest quality finish providing a uniform surface while minimizing telegraphing of seams/joints and fasteners.

Walltalkers can be applied over most clean, smooth, dry finishes, just like wallcovering. Resurfacing chalkboards and applying over steel are our second and third most popular types of installations. When going over steel, first see if the installer can use pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed products. Electro-galvanized, galvanealed, or "Paintlock" steel are recommended for applications requiring steel backing. Unlike regular galvanized steel, these do not have a dipped coating, so surface is smooth and will not chip when sheared. The matte finish allows a better bond to the steel. It is recommended to use a rust-inhibiting primer on the steel surface to prevent degradation/oxidation.

Applying wallcovering to steel is similar to going over glass. First, there must be a rust-inhibiting primer on the steel. Then, a wallcovering primer/sealer needs to be applied. Do not use latex primers, since the adhesive will remain wet for a long time, and this could loosen the primer. Primers made for difficult-to-bond-to surfaces will work best. Most adhesives are no longer made to work over oil-based primers. The installer will need to use a primer such as PROFESSIONAL R-35 over the base primer before pasting. Vinyl-over-vinyl or low-water-content pastes will work best, since the adhesive will be drying between two impervious surfaces.

Chalkboards can be resurfaced with wallpaper or pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). Follow PSA directions
for installation. For wallpaper, determine what type of chalkboard you are covering. For painted hardboard
chalk or slate surfaces, the surface can be cleaned, dried, and applied directly to the surface. Porcelain chalkboards may require some type of adhesive promoting primer, since these are impervious surfaces.

Any seams in chalk or steel surfaces should be filled or they will telegraph through the walltalkers surface. Seam should be thoroughly cleaned prior to filling. Vinyl Spackle or auto body filler can be used to fill the seams. Either filler will need to be primed with a paint similar in color to the chalkboard surface; spray enamels work well.

Particleboard and hardboard can also be covered. When applying to these surfaces, they will need to be primed on both sides to prevent warping. The surface will need to be smooth so that imperfections in the sheet do not telegraph through the walltalkers surface. Paneling, textured surfaces, and plywood are not recommended for resurfacing.

2) Does the wall require a prep coat before walltalkers can be installed?

Yes—as with most wallcoverings, we recommend a high-quality acrylic primer/sealer when applying to drywall. All primers should be applied with a roller and lightly sanded to remove all bumps and stipple marks. Follow manufacturer's directions.

3) What kind of knife should be used?

Any straight-blade utility knife will work for trimming at ceilings, sidewalls, baseboards, and other obstacles (such as electrical outlets). For double cutting, we recommend a double seam cutting tool, such as a "Seam Buster." This type of tool allows the installer to double-cut the seams without cutting the drywall liner paper. Change blades often for cleaner cuts.

4) What about air pockets?

During installation, air pockets should be gently pushed out from under the walltalkers surface. This should be done with a plastic smoothing blade (wrapped with a clean soft cloth to prevent scratching the dry erase surface) or a similar type of tool. Even pressure should be used, and air should be moved out away from seams toward the edges. Never pop air pockets with a pin or other sharp instrument. This will cause permanent damage to the walltalkers surface.

5) What type of installation adhesive do you recommend?

Walltalkers does not recommend any specific brand of adhesive, only that adhesive should be heavy-duty clay or heavy-duty clear for most installations. Both should be of a good commercial grade. Adhesives are best premixed and they should be used at full strength (not diluted).

When installing over impervious surfaces such as laminates, chalkboards, or markerboards, the use of a heavy-duty vinyl-over-vinyl adhesive is recommended.

6) How long can you leave material overlapped before you double-cut?

The length of time will vary depending on a variety of factors: heat, humidity, the type and the amount of adhesive being used, and what type of primer or substrate is under the walltalkers.

7) Can I use pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed products over drywall?

We only recommend using pressure-sensitive adhesives over impervious surfaces such as laminates, glass or steel. Since water is recommended for installation, the substrate must not absorb the water.

8) Do you recommend professional installation or can anyone do it?

Professional wallcovering installation is recommended, especially for larger applications. Walltalkers distributors can recommend professional installers in their areas. Step-by-step installation instructions are shipped with each order.

Walltalkers material is only as good as its installation. A professional installer is experienced to better handle and install walltalkers materials.

9) Can you apply new walltalkers material over existing vinyl wallcoverings?

Walltalkers does not recommend hanging dry erase wallcovering over existing vinyl or dry erase wallcoverings. Applying wallcovering over wallcovering does not retain the same fire rating as the original surface.

10) When applying self-adhesive material, do you suggest using soap and water with the application?

Yes, pre-wetting the substrate surface with a soap and water solution allows the installer to move the walltalkers material into place. The solution should consist of approximately 4 drops of liquid detergent to16 ounces of water. Do not apply walltalkers self-adhesive products directly to drywall.

11) Is it necessary to wet the paperback material before installation?

No, just apply wallcovering adhesive to the wall and install the material. Wet backing will actually help dilute the adhesive and weaken the bond.

12) Does the wall have to be all one color paint?

The color of the wall should be one uniform color across the area to be covered. Walltalkers wallcovering may allow show-through due to the limited amount of opacity. The color is not as important, as long as it is uniform.

13) Can you wrap walltalkers around corners?

Yes, however short returns and long returns around corners may need to be installed differently. For tight wraps like reveals, the installer may need to use a more aggressive adhesive like contact adhesive or a spray adhesive around the corner. Walltalkers should be creased to form the corner; be careful not to rub through the dry erase film. Lightly heating the material will also help around the corner, but this should not be done with the nu•vu•rite (the heat will remove the embossing).

Walltalkers does not recommend installing just•rite® or mag•rite® products around outside corners. The heavy weight of these materials will not allow for tight corner wraps.

14) Do you dry or wet hang walltalkers? Can it be run through a pasting machine?

We recommend dry hanging walltalkers for better handling. Wet hanging will usually require a pasting machine. The material can be scratched or kinked going through a pasting machine. This can happen when the pasting machine has old paste or imperfections on the rolls. Also, the paste typically needs to be watered down for pasting machines. We do not recommend watering down any adhesives.

An experienced installer who knows how to properly handle walltalkers may use either method. Care should always be used no matter what method of installation is used. Kinking, scratching, or creasing the material must always be considered when handling walltalkers. Improper handling can cause permanent damage to the material.

15) Can you mix different widths of the same walltalkers material? For example, can you use just•rite® 48" with just•rite® 60"?

No. Just as with commercial wallcoverings, all materials should be from the same run or die lot. The different widths of walltalkers materials do not come from the same die lot, and therefore they should not be mixed.

16) Can I install a new piece of walltalkers to an existing piece previously installed?

No. All seams should be double-cut. You cannot double-cut against a previously installed piece of wallcovering. Also, we cannot guarantee a color match to the old piece if a new piece is required.

17) Do I need to double-cut seams?

To get the best possible seams, they should be double-cut. Butting together factory edges will not give you an appealing seam. A double-cut seam will look much better than a butt factory edge seam.

18) Can I hang walltalkers vertically or does it have to be hung horizontally?

Either way the material is installed is acceptable. We recommend horizontal installations, since this is the best installation for the user. Horizontal installation moves the seams out of the largest writing area.

For more information on walltalkers® dry erase wallcoverings, contact us today or call 800-820-9255.