The following guidelines are intended to help contractors and installers obtain the most professional and long-lasting results when working with Vi-Lux products. For details about the Vi-Lux product warranty, please click on warranty.

SAFETY
Obey all safe-work practices, including wearing safety boots, goggles and construction helmets. When cutting or sanding product, wear a mask to avoid inhaling dust. Ensure adequate ventilation when gluing, caulking or painting. Follow all manufacturer’s recommendations and warnings.

PRODUCT STORAGE
Vi-Lux products should be stored in a clean location, away from direct sunlight and high temperatures. Product stored outdoors should be covered to keep the product clean.

CUTTING
Vi-Lux products can be cut using standard woodworking power tools. Keep blades sharp for best results. If clamping when cutting, use blocks to avoid marking the product. Best results are obtained using saw blades designed for cutting wood or plastic. Carbidetipped blades are recommended with circular saws. AVOID rapid sawing or fine-tooth blades to reduce heat build-up.

JOINING
Butt Joints
Square butt joints (or slightly reverse-beveled butts joints) are preferable to scarf (lapped-bevel) joints. Both ends of the joint should be nailed or screwed.

Outside Corners Tight butting and gluing is recommended, with cross-nailing of both pieces into the substrate as well as into the joining piece of product. Be sure to allow for thermal expansion elsewhere along length of product.

Gaps The amount of gap required depends on various factors: the length of piece being installed, the overall range of temperatures experienced over the year, exposure to the sun, and the temperature at the time of installation. When installing longer pieces in cold weather (25 to 55ºF), leave a gap of about 1/8" or more. (For shorter pieces, the gap can be less.) In warmer weather, leave a gap of about 1/16". In hot weather (75ºF or over), do not leave a gap, providing the product is warm when applied.

Seal Joints and Gaps To prevent joint separation, fill all joints (whether butted tight or with a gap) with a urethane acrylic sealant (which expands and contracts at the same rate as the product). Two recommended products are Pro-Series® Quad Window, Siding, Gutter & Roof Sealant from OSI (www. osiproseries.com), and Bond & Fill® Structural Adhesive & Filler (www.bondfill.com). When sealing a butt joint, apply sealant only to one butt end, and apply to the front half of the butt end only, so the sealant can expand back into the joint. Ensure good contact between the sealant and the two butt ends. Touch up irregular areas with additional sealant, and tool normally.

FASTENING
Cellular PVC may expand or contract due to changes in temperature, so some changes in length should be accommodated when selecting a fastening method. For example, the average expansion and contraction, over the total temperature range of 70ºF, depending on exposure to the sun, should be approximately 1/8" per 12' length. Vi-Lux products can be fastened like wood, with the following specific recommendations:

How to Fasten Product

• For longer lengths of product, begin at one end and work to other end, or at middle and fasten outwards. NEVER fasten from both ends toward the middle, which can create stress and expansion problems.
• Fasten at 16" intervals along length.
• Keep nails or screws at least 5/16" from ends and edges to avoid splitting.

• Type: Use corrosion-resistant, smooth-shank, screw, annular-threaded or spiral-type nails, at least 6d in size (shank diameter of 0.090"), and long enough to penetrate substrate by at least 1.5". AVOID large-head nails, and ring-shank nails due to excessive heat during fastening.
• Installation: Nail flush to avoid need for finishing holes. In cold weather (below 32ºF), pre-drilling is recommended to avoid cracking. If using a power air nailer, adjust the length of stroke (not the air pressure) to control nail depth.

• Type: Use standard, flat-head, stainless-steel wood screws, at least #6, long enough to penetrate substrate by at least 1". Use drill bits designed for wood or metal.
• Installation: Slightly countersink screws and finish holes.

• Preparation: Ensure all surfaces to be glued are smooth and clean.
• Type: Use exterior-grade, PVC-compatible, urethanebased adhesives. Two recommended products are Pro-Series® Quad Window, Siding, Gutter & Roof Sealant from OSI (www. osiproseries.com), and Bond & Fill® Structural Adhesive & Filler (www.bondfill.com). When fastening to PVC substrates, use white PVC gutter cement; note that PVC gutter cement tends to turn yellow over time outdoors, so it should not be used in visible applications. AVOID using silicone-based adhesives.
• Installation: Clamping or other mechanical fastening recommended to hold product in place while adhesive cures. Use acetone and immediately wipe away any excess glue that squeezes through joints. For all adhesives, follow the adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations.

BENDING
Vi-Lux mouldings can be easily bent to accommodate curved applications. Convection air-circulating ovens, strip heaters or radiant heaters are best. Apply heat evenly to both sides until product is flexible. Oven times will vary depending on the size and density of the profile. AVOID using heat guns in visible areas due to changes product texture and discoloration.

FINISHING AND PAINTING
All Vi-Lux exterior profiles contain UV inhibitors to slow the fading process. Vi-Lux product comes in a smooth white finish, and does not require painting. However, it can easily be painted if desired, with the following specific recommendations:

Filling Holes
Fill nail or screw holes, or any other marks left from installation, with a high-quality exterior latex caulking or exterior filler. AVOID using siliconebased caulking and solvent-based fillers.

Preparation for Painting
Clean and wipe surface to remove dirt, grease or oils. Paint adhesion and drying time is improved by applying one coat of a fast-drying acrylic-latex primer designed for PVC.

Painting
One or two coats of paint can be applied with brush, roller or spray gun. A 100% acrylic latex exterior paint indicated for vinyl is recommended; for best results and in high-traffic areas, use urethane-acrylic exterior paint on top of primer. Only light, medium pastels or earth-tones with a light reflective value (LRV) of at least 55 can be used. For all applications, follow paint manufacturer’s instructions. AVOID using dark colours of paint (which can lead to increased product expansion due to heat gain), which voids the Vi-Lux warranty. AVOID stains, oil/ alkyd paints and primers or vinyl-based paints.

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
Vi-Lux product can usually be cleaned with a hose, brush and an ordinary detergent, household cleaner or glass cleaner such as Windex® or Fantastic® All- Purpose. For scratches, gently sand out with very fine sandpaper (at least 220 grit), then fill with caulking or filler. AVOID using acetone, paint remover or lacquer thinner, as well as harsh cleaners containing glycol ethers or ethanol-type solvents, which will damage the PVC surface if left on for several minutes.

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