Use And Care Manual

16 | ProForm Finishing Products
Installation Guide
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Varying weather conditions can impact both the quality and appearance
of taped drywall joints. Relative humidity, plus temperature, will affect
the working characteristics of all joint compounds.
The potential for finishing and decorating problems are minimized
when temperature, humidity and airflow remain constant and as
close to occupancy environmental conditions as possible. A minimum
temperature of 50˚F (10˚C) should be maintained continuously for
48 hours prior to and throughout the finishing process until applied
materials are thoroughly dry.
For example, cool wet weather will slow down the drying process
while hot, dry weather hastens the drying process. Exposure to winds,
breezes or drafts while drying can also affect the performance of joint
compounds. Typical problems from improper drying can be cracking,
excessive shrinkage, ridging and beading, banding or bond failure. A
further explanation of these conditions is outlined in the “Problems and
Solutions” section of this guide.
Proper precautions at the job site should always be taken to minimize the
adverse effects of weather on drying. These precautions will ultimately
reduce the application time and expense from call backs and rework.
STORAGE
Shelf-life up to 9 months under good storage conditions. See production
date code on product packaging. To prevent spoilage and freezing,
maintain temperature at a minimum 50˚F (10˚C) and protect container
from exposure to extreme heat and sunlight.
FROZEN READY MIX
Allow material to thaw at room temperature for at least 24 hours. When
thawed, turn the container upside-down for at least 15 minutes. Turn
pail right side up, remove lid and immediately remix with an electric
drill. Ready Mix should be lump-free and ready to use within 1 minute.
Discard all Ready Mix that does not remix to a lump-free consistency.
STACKING
Ready Mix pails or cartons should not be stacked more than two pallets
in height.
MOLD AND MILDEW GROWTH PROTECTION
ProForm® All Purpose with Dust-Tech® Joint Compound
and ProForm® Lite Blue
™
with Dust-Tech® Joint Compound
All ProForm products are mold and mildew resistant but the ProForm
Dust-Tech products meet achieve the highest test score. ProForm All
Purpose with Dust-Tech and Lite Blue with Dust-Tech were designed
to provide extra protection against mold and mildew compared to
standard ready mix compound. When tested by an independent lab
per ASTM D3273 (Standard Test Method for Resistance to Growth of
Mold on the Surface of Interior Coatings in an Environmental Chamber),
ProForm Ready Mix with Dust-Tech achieved a score of 10, the best
possible score for this test.
These products also resist the growth of mold per ASTM G21
(Standard Practice for Determining Resistance of Synthetic Polymeric
Materials to Fungi) with a score of 0, the best possible score.
When tested in a system with ProForm
™
Paper Joint Tape,
Gold Bond® XP® Gypsum Board or Gold Bond® eXP® Interior Extreme®
Gyspum Panels, this system achieves a score of “10” for ASTM D3273
and a score of “0” for ASTM G21. These are the best possible mold-
resistant scores for these tests.
MOLD AND MILDEW RESISTANCE
Planning and Prevention
Planning and prevention is the most effective way to avert the
growth of mold or mildew. Gypsum wallboard and finishing products
should be delivered to projects as near to the time it will be used as
possible. Wallboard delivered to a job site must be placed under cover
immediately, properly protected and not exposed to outside elements
such as rain, snow or other high moisture conditions.
If building materials get wet from any moisture source, that source
must first be identified and corrected. If mold or mildew growth occurs,
or if you suspect it might occur due to environmental conditions and
moisture, a determination must be made to either attempt to dry and
clean the affected areas or to replace the affected materials. Care
must be taken in this evaluation, and if you do not have the training or
experience to recognize and to make proper decisions about repair or
removal, you should consult a professional.
No material can be considered “mold proof,” nor is it certain that
any material will resist mold or mildew indefinitely. When used in
conjunction with good design, handling and construction practices,
Ready Mix with Dust-Tech can provide increased mold resistance
versus standard ready-mixed compounds. As with any building
material, avoiding water exposure during handling, storage and
installation and after installation is complete is the best way to avoid the
formation of mold or mildew.
Ready Mix Compounds
JOINT COMPOUND DRYING TIMES
Approximate Drying Times for Ready Mix Joint Compound
Temperature
Relative
Humidity 32° 40° 50° 60° 70° 80° 100°
0% 38/H 28/H 19/H 13/H 9/H 6/H 3/H
20% 2/D 34/H 23/H 16/H 11/H 8/H 4/H
40% 2.5/D 44/H 29/H 20/H 14/H 10/H 5/H
50% 3/D 2/D 36/H 24/H 17/H 12/H 6/H
60% 3.5/D 2.5/D 42/H 29/H 20/H 13.5/H 8/H
70% 4.5/D 3.5/D 2.25/D 38/H 26/H 19.5/H 10/H
80% 7/D 4.5/D 3.25/D 2.25/D 38/H 27/H 14/H
90% 13/D 9/D 6/D 4.5/D 3/D 49/H 26/H
98% 53/D 37/D 26/D 18/D 12/D 9/D 5/D
Note: D = Days (24 hour period) H = Hours
The chart above is a helpful guide in determining approximate drying times for
joint compounds under a variety of humidity/temperature conditions. Shaded
area is below the minimum application temperature requirement of 50°F and
is not recommended for the application of joint compound.
Note: To ensure best results, all ProForm Joint Compounds should be
used together in construction systems.
All ProForm Joint Compounds are formulated without asbestos and
therefore comply with Consumer Product Safety Standards.