RAMPART® Resolve PVC-Free Wall Protection

Before You Begin

Examine the material carefully to ensure that the material, color, and quality are satisfactory and as ordered. Check that the quantity and dimensions match the required specifications prior to cutting. In the event that any discrepancies are found, STOP and contact Wolf-Gordon customer service at 212-255-3300, before proceeding.

RAMPART Resolve wall protection must only be installed under permanent lighting conditions. When storing, the temperature should be maintained between 65°−80°F. It is recommended that the wall protection material be acclimated in the installation area for at least 48 hours prior to and at least 30 days after installing at 70°-90°, with relative humidity at 50% or less. The entire roll of RAMPART Resolve must reach at least 65°F prior to installation—this may take more than 48 hours. Check multiple areas, as well as the tops and bottoms of walls.

At the site, reverse roll the material 2 days before installation to break the memory of the rolled goods. The curl of the material will now bend in the opposite direction. Note: Before re-rolling, use a pencil to mark on the back of the material where the roll begins as it comes from the mill—this will help maintain the correct sequence during installation. Nothing should be stacked on top of the rolls to prevent flat areas or dents that can be permanently embedded in the material. If RAMPART Resolve is stored for a long time, lay the material on a flat surface and periodically rotate it to avoid creating flat spots. Do not stack rolls on top of each other. Note: RAMPART Resolve should not be hung at a temperature less than 70°F.

Verify that the wall moisture content does not exceed 4% using a moisture meter, and that active moisture infiltration, condensation, and/or accumulation, particularly in warm, humid climates, is not present. If walls show mold, mildew, or visible moisture damage, or if moisture content exceeds recommendations, do not proceed with installation until the condition has been fully corrected under the direction of a qualified professional. Wolf-Gordon will not be responsible for any performance or quality issues if moisture problems are not addressed before or following installation.

Surface Preparation

All surfaces must be clean, dry, structurally sound, and free of grease and mildew. Stains such as ink, grease, crayon, or other foreign matter should be spot-treated with a stain-killing primer to prevent bleeding through the new material. With all surfaces—once properly prepared—apply a good quality, acrylic or latex wallcovering primer/sealer. If an oil-based primer was used, apply an acrylic or latex primer over it before hanging, to avoid trapping moisture or adhesion problems. If the surface does not have a uniform color, use a pigmented primer. RAMPART Resolve is not recommended for ceiling installations.

New drywall should be finished to a Level 4 as per the Gypsum Association guidelines (gypsum.org), although a Level 5 is preferred. Follow with an appropriate primer.

Old wallcovering should be removed completely; do not install over existing wallcovering except for Wolf-Gordon Stronghold® wall liner.

Newly plastered walls should completely cure for 60–90 days and should not contain excessive quantities of lime or alkali. Follow with a suitable primer. An adhesion test should be performed to ensure the primer's compatibility with the plaster.

Painted surfaces should be tested for moisture resilience. Hold a wet sponge or cloth to the paint surface for 15 seconds, rub the surface vigorously with a cloth, and if little or no paint is removed, the surface should be sound. If a large amount comes off, sand or wash the surface with ammonia and water to remove the paint.* Once dry, apply a suitable pigmented primer; in most cases, use Roman PRO-977 pigmented primer. Painted walls should also be tested for adhesion.

*When scraping, sanding, or removing old paint, lead dust may be released. Lead is toxic and should be tested for. If lead is present in an existing coating that is being sanded, scraped, or removed, proper safety requirements and laws must be followed, and personal health protection must be worn. Call 800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead to inquire.

Existing walls present varied conditions; glossy surfaces should be sanded, and mildew cleaned with a solution of two cups household bleach per gallon of water. Nicks, gouges, and other surface blemishes must be filled and sanded smooth, followed by a suitable primer. To ensure the soundness of an existing wall surface, cut a shallow "X" in the surface with a razor blade. Press a strip of white masking tape over the "X" and pull the tape away, observing if any paint film pulls off. If paint film pulls away, the paint is not sound.

If installing RAMPART Resolve on top of Stronghold® wall liner, the liner does not need to be primed. If any type of compound was used on top of the Stronghold liner, the compound must be sanded smooth and spot primed with Roman PRO-999 Rx-35. Primer guidelines: For porous surfaces, prime with Roman PRO-999 Rx-35. For non-porous surfaces, prime with Roman PRO-935 R-35. When a pigmented primer is needed, use Roman PRO-977 pigmented primer.

Surfaces other than drywall or plaster may require special procedures and application techniques. Contact Wolf-Gordon customer service for recommendations.

For a permanent, non-strippable bond, Roman PRO-555 wallcovering adhesive can be used. If stripping RAMPART Resolve is planned for the future, Roman PRO-774 is recommended. If the Stronghold has been skimmed with any type of compound, allow for a 24-hour dry time (per coat) prior to spot priming with Rx-35. Allow primer to dry at least 4 hours—preferably 12 hours—before applying RAMPART Resolve. Using a moisture meter, test to make sure the compound is within the manufacturer's limits before proceeding.

Hanging Guidelines

Care should be taken not to crease the material. RAMPART Resolve rolls are numbered consecutively and should be cut and installed in reverse sequence, starting with the highest numbered roll. Number each strip as it is cut from the roll and mark the top of each strip. Cut the material into full-width strips as they will be hung. Lay the strips flat on the floor (or preferably on a table) in a heated room, the day before installation. This will help remove any flat spots that may have developed during storage. Do not lay sheets on bare concrete or cold, damp flooring. When hanging non-matched patterns, reverse hang alternate strips of the material in sequence, as they are cut from the roll.

Install three strips and inspect for color shading. If shading is present, try reversing the second strip and inspect. In some cases, straight hanging will produce better results. RAMPART Resolve patterns can also be railroaded.

If any defect, color variation, or unacceptable pattern effect is noticeable after three panels are cut and hung, STOP and contact Wolf-Gordon immediately. Wolf-Gordon cannot accept any claims on labor or material after more than three lengths have been installed. Upon approval, returns will be subject to a 35% handling and restocking charge. Requests for return authorization must be made within 30 days of ship date.

Adhesive Application

Brush or roll a uniform coat of a heavy-duty, clay-based vinyl wallcovering adhesive with exceptional wet tack to the wall and allow it to dry to the touch. Check to make sure the pasted wall is free from lumps of paste or debris. This may require light sanding or sliding a 6" spackle knife across the surface to sheer off high spots. Then, apply adhesive to the back of the material with a heavy-duty paint roller (do not use a pasting machine). Fold each sheet over carefully and allow 10–15 minutes booking time for the adhesive to penetrate the material. A mildew-inhibiting adhesive, such as Roman PRO-774, is recommended. Do not dilute the adhesive. Too much or uneven application of the adhesive can result in an uneven surface with lumps and bumps.

Extreme-tack adhesion: For installations that require additional adhesion strength or mitigation of pick points, an extreme-tack adhesive such as Roman PRO-555 is recommended. These adhesives are non-strippable. Follow adhesive manufacturer application instructions.

Installation

Install material using a stiff, flexible plastic smoothing tool made for wallcovering. After booking, and within 15 minutes of paste application, hang the first strip of RAMPART Resolve on the dried wall using a plumb line or laser level, overlapping the ceiling and baseboard. Using a plastic smoothing tool (do not use sharp-edged tools), press from the middle to the outside edges in a vertical motion. Work out any wrinkles by applying a light amount of heat using a plastic spatula. Trim at the ceiling and baseboard with a sharp razor blade.

When applying the second strip, most RAMPART Resolve ribbed embossed patterns make the best seams when table-trimmed and butted. The installer should determine whether table cutting is necessary. With grooved patterns, make sure edges are trimmed at the bottom of a groove. If it's determined that double cutting yields better results, be careful not to cut into the drywall, and change blades often. A double-cutting tool designed to prevent cutting into the wall is recommended. If a double-cutting tool is not available, place a backing strip (aka Bogger strip) underneath the double cut to prevent cutting into the drywall. When overlapping material, use painters blue tape on the underneath piece when possible, to keep adhesive from getting on the face of the material. In either case, smooth the strip out firmly, as done with the first strip. Flatten seams by exerting light pressure with a seam roller. Before applying the next strip, trim the top and bottom as with the first panel, and proceed in the same manner around the room.

Avoid cutting narrow widths of RAMPART Resolve for placement above doors and below windows. A hair dryer can be used to soften the material when wrapping inside and outside corners. Avoid excessive heat, which will damage the material. Avoid using heat, if possible. Wrap outside corners using the "4-point of contact" method. Without damaging the material, carefully slide a thick, smooth piece of metal along the left outside edge of the wrap and then do the same on the left middle, right middle, and finish on the right edge of the corner. This will crease the material in four places, making it easier to wrap around the corner. Allow for a minimum of at least 6 inches when wrapping corners so the material has enough wall to grab/bond to. Seams should be at least 8 inches away from corners.

When trimming around chair rails and ceilings, always use a broad knife rather than a straightedge. Take extra care in keeping the adhesive off the face of RAMPART Resolve. Remove excess adhesive immediately with a natural sponge, frequently rinsed in clear, warm water, and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

After installation, the walls and wall protection material should be monitored for potential moisture or vapor infiltration, which must be promptly eliminated. During and after installation, inspect for bubbles by holding an LED light against the wall, shining at a glancing angle, and work out bubbles towards the nearest edge before the adhesive dries.

Maintenance

RAMPART Resolve wall protection is finished with Surcoat, a clear coating that provides protection against staining, abrasion, and scuffing. This finish also offers resistance to commonly used cleaning agents and disinfectants.

RAMPART RESOLVE can be cleaned using clear, warm water and a mild soap with a natural sponge. Other cleaning agents that are safe to use* include: ammonia, diluted bleach, Fantastik®, hydrogen peroxide, and Lysol®. For disinfecting, commercial grade quaternary disinfectants such as EcoLab®, Oxivir® TB, and Virex® TB, or phenols such as Citrace® and Wex-Cide can be used. Products that contain alcohol should not be used.

To clean spots and stains, follow these methods:

• Method 1 (Common stains—e.g., coffee, ketchup, red wine, tea, baby oil, blood, or betadine): When cleaning a spot, first attempt to remove the stain with a mild soap and water solution and a soft towel or sponge. Rinse with clean, warm water to remove all residue, then wipe with a dry cloth or towel. If stain persists, proceed to Method 2.
• Method 2 (More difficult stains—e.g., ballpoint pen, vegetable oil, lipstick, or persistent stains from Method 1): Remove any excess staining material with a wet cloth. Follow with a wet natural sponge or Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser†, squeezing out excess water and gently scrub. Wipe with a soft, dry cloth. If stain persists, proceed to Method 3.
• Method 3 (Persistent stains—e.g., crayon, permanent marker, shoe polish, or persistent stains from Method 2): Spray a cleaner such as Fantastik® or Formula 409® on a towel or sponge. Rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth. Diluted or full-strength bleach can also be used. If a stain remains after 6+ rubs, it is most likely permanent.

*CAUTION: Some cleaning agents are highly flammable. Exercise proper caution when handling products and use gloves when recommended.

† Aggressive rubbing with a Magic Eraser may cause color to rub off.

Note: The above serves solely as a guideline. RAMPART Resolve installations must comply with the current hanging instructions provided with each shipment. The installer bears ultimate responsibility for the proper installation and evaluation of job site conditions.