Trim and moulding are the often-unassuming heroes of the construction and design world. These seemingly minor additions can transform a space, adding character, elegance, and even functionality. In fact, 97% of real estate professionals say that moulding and trim affect the overall price of a home during a sale.
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Of course, when it comes to trim and moulding, even the professionals have questions. Here are a few of the most common questions we get asked.
Is Westlake Royal® PVC Trim Solid or Hollow?
Cellular PVC is a solid extrusion thats waterproof, insect-proof, and easy to use. The term cellular PVC refers to a process and type of polyvinyl chloride that has microscopic air cells inside. The process makes this type of PVC less dense and more flexible than the PVC you see in plumbing pipes, making it more suited to trim applications.
Can I use interior mouldings outside?
Many interior mouldings can also be used outside, but not decorative woodgrain non-vinyl laminated interior mouldings. Westlake Royal Building Products offers a variety of cellular PVC and vinyl-wrapped PVC trim moulding that can be used for both interior and exterior applications. Always check with your manufacturer when trying a new trim product.
Can Westlake Royals cellular PVC trim moulding be painted?
Our trim comes in white, one of the most popular options for trim. But if other hues are desired, our cellular PVC trim is paintable. Check out our blog on painting PVC trim to learn more.
Can PVC be stained?
PVC mouldings can be stained, but it takes a specialty coating, such as TruStain from AquaSurTech OEM or AWP SPQT Stainable Primer Wood Base Coat for Hard Surfaces. Our warranty does not cover the product with applied third-party coatings, so be sure to follow the stain manufacturers recommendations. We also recommend you thoroughly research the coatings you intend to use with PVC.
The same limitations for coatings concerning light reflective value (LRV) on cellular PVC apply to stain, especially for exterior applications.
How do you clean and remove scratches from PVC trim moulding?
Cellular PVC is durable for standing up to exterior elements, but of course accidents sometimes happen during installation. If the scratches arent too deep, an all-purpose cleaning agent and a melamine foam sponge or non-scratch scrubbing sponge can often remove the scratches. A rubbing compound such as Turtle Wax can also be used on surface scratches.
Buffing them out may take some time, depending on the severity of the scratches, so be sure to take that into account. Be sure to also clean the trim after buffing.
How do I remove the product description paper label from the trim or moulding?
Use a dissolving product, following the manufacturers instructions. We typically recommend De-Solv-It Citrus Solution or Turtle Wax Label and Sticker Remover. If either of those is not available, you can soak the product in surface cleaner, gently scrape the sticker off with a plastic putty knife, and use rubbing alcohol to remove any leftover residue.
What do you recommend for cutting trim and mouldings?
Royal® Trim & Mouldings should be cut with a carbide-tipped blade with 80 teeth or more. To reduce excessive build up on the blade, you can lightly spray it with cooking spray or furniture polish; however, it is important to note that you should not spray the mouldings directly, which can affect paint adhesion. Cellular PVC can be cut with typical saws and blades used for woodworking.
Are Westlake trim and mouldings bendable?
We do offer mouldings that are specially formulated for heat bending, but not all cellular PVC trim and mouldings apply. For example, Royal S4S Trimboard is not recommended for bending, but SurEdge and Precision Cut trim can be bent into a reasonable radius.
Cellular PVC is a thermoplastic polymer, which means it becomes pliable or bendable when exposed to certain temperatures, returning to a solid state when cool. Because of its nature, some cellular PVC profiles can be reheated and reformed; however, variations in batches, profile geometry, and density or weight of the profile mean some experimentation will be required to perfect this skill.
For best results, dont bend any cellular PVC trim greater than 6 wide.
Is cellular PVC suitable for applications like raised garden beds?
With adequate construction techniques, yes, cellular PVC can be used for this purpose.
Can item 1×6 trim board be used on garages as fascia board?
Yes, but keep in mind that 1×6 is a nominal size, with true measurement being ¾x5-½, so youll want to be sure that this size is wide enough for your application.
What recommendations do you have for placing Base over existing ¼-½ moulding?
Existing moulding needs to be removed before Base is installed; it cant be placed over the previous moulding. Mechanical fasteners like 16- to 18-gauge nails or 6d or 8d should be used. Liquid Nails can also help keep the product glued to the wall.
Is item Base Cap flexible enough for picture frame panel mouldings on a curved stairway?
This will depend on the radius of the curved stairway. Some trial-and-error will likely need to occur on the most curved area before deciding on how to finish out the application. This can work, but it will require some creativity.
For more hard pvc puller solutionsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Have more trim questions? You can reach our customer service team at 1-855-ROYAL85 or via our customer support form.
Ready to see how Westlake Royal trim and moulding products can add the perfect finishing touch to your project? Explore all our solutions.
Wire pulling can be difficult, especially when youre pulling long runs of cable through winding corridors of conduit inside industrial buildings and commercial locations.
Not only is it hard to physically pull the building wire through the conduit, but the friction created during the process can also damage the insulation surrounding the conductors. Abrasion damage caused during the pulling process may lead to exposed conductors, opening the possibility of shorts, sparks, arcs, and even fire.
To prevent abrasion damage from occurring, many electricians use wire pulling lubricant, also known as cable lube or wire-pulling compound, to make the process easier and faster without causing any damage to the wire.
Wire lubricant reduces the wires friction coefficient as it makes its way through the raceway (the ratio of force that resists motion between two surfaces pressing against each other). As a result, electricians can pull wire through conduit faster while reducing abrasion damage to the cable itself.
When to Use Wire Pulling Lubricant?
There are a ton of lubricants available on the market today, and many of them do similar things. When deciding to use a wire-pulling compound, understanding the application will impact what type of lubricant makes the most sense.
Wire lubricants come in several forms, each with its own strengths.
The four main types of lubricant electricians will come across are synthetic wax, gel, foam, and liquid/spray. Depending on the application, knowing which one to use in different situations will make the job easier, reduce mess on the job site, and speed up work.
Across the board, these products are nonconductive, odorless, non-corrosive, and non-toxic, making them safe to use in work environments without masks or gloves. Dont forget to also keep an eye out for lubricants featuring PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). This synthetic fluoropolymer resists water and high temperatures and offers great lubricity. The only problem is PTFE doesnt come off as easily as products that dont have the compound.
Keep in mind that some cable types may not require lubricant and can be pulled without it. If its a short run or if the wire youre using is a small enough gauge, you may be able to get away with a standard dry pull.
Synthetic wax lubricants are high-heat resistant, making them useful in areas where temperatures are likely to become an issue for gel and liquid lubricants. Wax is also water-resistant and can even maintain its properties underwater, making it ideal for wet locations.
Wax also dries slowly compared to other types of lubes, meaning it doesnt need to be reapplied as often as other compounds.
If you dont want to make a big mess on the job site, a gel lubricant may be the answer. Lubricant gel works across a wide array of temperatures and sticks to wire and cable without a lot of dripping, making it an excellent choice for running lines around indoor areas like finished office spaces.
These lubricants are easy to apply and simple to clean up, usually only needing a bit of soap and warm water.
According to Klein Tools, their version of foam pulling lubricant is sprayed into the conduit rather than applied to the wire itself. When the wire is pulled through the conduit it gets coated in foam, making it easier to pull through the rest of the run.
There are fewer messes on the worksite compared to gels, waxes, and liquids because the foam is relegated only to the conduit. The residue is also less likely to stain carpets, clothing, and walls, making cleaning up faster.
Liquid lubricants are unique in that they can be poured onto a wire, into the conduit, or sprayed onto the wire as its being pulled. Liquids are great for vertical runs, as electricians can simply pour the lube down the top of the conduit and let it coat everything.
Unfortunately, pouring lubricant or spraying it onto a wire does have its drawbacks. It can quickly get all over the worksite, especially when workers are running wire in overhead areas. There is also the possibility of creating unintentional slip hazards in the workspace.
For every mind-bending worksite idea or innovation, there is one not-so-great idea.
Plenty of things can make wire slippery and easier to pull through tight conduit, but that doesnt mean you should use it. While some products found around the house can work, they may damage wire insulation, dry out quickly, or create a gigantic mess.
From oil and powder to grease and soap, there is no shortage of hacks that can ruin your wiring and create unsafe conditions on the worksite.
Petroleum-Based Jellies They may be great for your hands to lock in moisture but can wreak havoc on electrical cable and wiring. It will eat away at plastic insulation on the circuit wiring, eroding it and eventually causing damage to the wire itself.
Soap Shower gel and dish soap are great for keeping things clean, but soaps are not a good wire lubricant. Todays polymer-based formulas are much better, last longer throughout the project, and dont create slip hazards on the worksite.
Talcum Powder or Chalk This may seem like a clever idea and was a staple of wire pullers decades ago, but the powder doesnt stick to wire all that well and can make a huge mess.
It is entirely possible to drag electrical wire through twisting conduit and long pulls without lubricating it first, but it will slow you down and add unnecessary pressure to the job.
Lubrication simplifies the wire pulling process, protecting insulation and jacketing from abrasion damage and pitting and speeding up the project by reducing the wires friction coefficient. Finally, it helps wires navigate sharp bends and long runs within a conduit more easily.
There you have it! Whether youre using solid or stranded wire, copper or aluminum, make your life and day a little easier by finding a cable-pulling compound that fits your needs.
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