Maintenance

Armstrong Ceiling Systems require no more maintenance than painted DRYWALL ceilings. However, when maintenance is necessary, certain procedures should be followed to insure continued high performance and attractive appearance.

Dust and loose dirt may easily be removed by brushing or with a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaner attachments such as those designed for cleaning upholstery or walls do the best job. Be certain to clean in one direction only. This will prevent rubbing dust into the surface of the ceiling.

After loose dust has been removed, pencil marks, smudges, or clinging dirt may easily be erased with an ordinary art gum eraser. However, a good grade wall cleaner may be preferred. Be certain to use fresh cleaner. Most Armstrong mineral fiber ceilings may be cleaned with a moist cloth or a sponge dampened in water containing mild soap. (This does not apply to cloth-faced ceiling panels.) The sponge should contain as little water as possible. After washing, the soapy film should be wiped off with a cloth or sponge slightly dampened in clean water.

FINE-FISSURED Ceramaguard ceilings, VINYL-FACED FIBERGLASS ceilings and Mylar-faced ceilings are less affected by moisture and will withstand repeated washings with mild detergents or germicidal cleaners.

PAINTING RECOMMENDATION PRECAUTION

Armstrong recognizes that ceilings may be repainted and will make recommendations for the type of paint that may be used. However, Armstrong cannot be responsible for the finished appearance or performance for the field-painted acoustical material. Armstrong cannot guarantee that the published surface burning characteristics, fire resistance ratings, acoustical performance, dimensional stability (sag), or light reflectance will remain the same after repainting. Repainting will render ineffective any mold-inhibiting or retarding treatment. All warranties will be voided by field painting. When painting acoustical materials, the painter should be very careful that he/she does not close up the perforations or fissures in the material. It is through these openings in the surface that sound waves enter the body of the acoustical material and are absorbed.

Care should be taken that these perforations are not clogged. Spray painting will result in a more uniform coating on embossed or irregular surfaces. For best results, panels should be removed from grid suspension system, laid flat for painting, and allowed to dry thoroughly while still flat before reinstallation. This method eliminates the costly operation of masking walls and covering furniture. It also provides for easier cleaning and/or repainting of the grid while the panels are being repainted. Field painting of vinyl-faced products is not recommended.

The variations which are possible in field-painted applications could affect fire performance.

PAINTING METHOD

First remove loose dust from the material with a brush or vacuum cleaner attachment. Thin the paint only as much as necessary. If it is too thick for proper spraying, care should be taken that it is thinned only as recommended by the paint manufacturer. When spray painting, apply the paint with a stream directed perpendicularly to the surface of the material, moving the gun back and forth to get a uniform coating. Under normal conditions, one coat should be sufficient.ainting acoustical materials, the painter should be very careful that he/she does not close up the perforations or fissures in the material. It is through these openings in the surface that sound waves enter the body of the acoustical material and are absorbed. Care should be taken that these perforations are not clogged.