About Installation and Cleaning
    1
    How to clean XIN.XIN products?
    Most dirt can be removed from our PVC moulding corner board and rigid PVC foam boards only with mild detergent and water. For more stubborn stains, try a mild household cleaner & degreaser like Clorox Cleanup or Clorox Outdoors, alcohol or Soft scrub with bleach.
    2
    How to paint XIN.XIN PVC foam board and mouldings?
    XIN.XIN PVC products (PVC foam boards and PVC mouldings) do not require painting for protection. If you want to paint it a custom colour, follow these important guidelines: 1. As with any surface to be painted, the trim or moulding must be clean, dry and free of chalk, grease, oil, dirt and mold or mildew. 2. Apply a 100% acrylic latex paint with an LRV (light reflecting value) of 55 units or higher. (Generally, the higher the LRV, the lighter the colour. The LRV of a particular colour should be listed next to the colour on your paint dealer's colour chart). 3. For paint colours with an LRV of 54 or lower, you must use a paint that has been specifically developed for application on PVC. 4. In every case, follow the paint manufacturer's recommendations for use and application of the paint. 5. Due to the extended cure times of paint applied to PVC cellular trim or moulding, we recommend installing XIN.XIN products first and then painting it unless the trim or moulding is painted in a professional prefinishing operation and allowed to cure completely. AVOID using dark colours of paint (which can lead to increased product expansion due to heat gain), which voids the XIN.XIN warranty. AVOID stains, oils/alkyd paints and primers or vinyl-based paints.
    3
    How much does XIN.XIN PVC Expand and Contract?
    Cellular PVC may expand or contract due to changes in temperature. You should allow for this movement when fastening XIN.XIN PVC foam board and PVC Mouldings. You can minimize the movement of PVC trimboard by observing proper fastening techniques along the entire length of the trim. If left unrestricted, XIN.XIN PVC will expand and contract approximately 1.25cm(1/2") per 548.6cm (18') length with a 50°C(90°F) change in temperature. When properly fastened, however, the expansion and contraction can be reduced to approximately 0.50cm (1/5") per 548.6cm(18') length with a 50°C(90°F) change in temperature. Expansion and contraction is the #1 reason for callbacks. Using the right type and quantity of fasteners will significantly reduce expansion and contraction. All PVC foam board products on the market have similar coefficients of linear expansion and expand and contract at approximately the same rate.
    4
    What do I use for filling the nail holes?
    Any product that is acrylic or urethane based will adhere to XIN.XIN PVC foam board and PVC mouldings. Common fillers, caulks and exterior grade spackle with titanium dioxide work well. Be sure to use a filler that is a good match to the white color of Products should you decide not to paint.
    5
    What kind of screw or nail should I use?
    What kind of screw or nail should I use for durable PVC foam boards or PVC baseboard mouldings? Nails: Use corrosion-resistant, smooth-shank, screw, annular-threaded or spiral type nails, and long enough to penetrate substrate by at least 3.8cm (1.5"). AVOID large-head nails and ring-shank nails due to excessive heat during fastening. When installing, nail flush to avoid the need for finishing holes. In cold weather (below 5°C=41°F), 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. Screws: Use standard, flat-head, stainless steel wood screws, at least #6, long enough to penetrate substrate by at least 2.5cm (1"). Use drill bits designed for wood or metal. Slightly countersink screws and finish holes.
    6
    How to fasten?
    For longer lengths of white foam boards or PVC mouldings, 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 40cm(16") intervals along the length, and keep nails and screws at least 0.8cm(5/16") from ends and edges to avoid splitting. Fastener heads should be flush with the surface of the trim or slightly indented and no closer than 1.9cm from the end of the board.
    7
    How to Seal Joints and Gaps?
    To prevent joint separation of any foam board or PVC mouldings you buying from a PVC manufacturer, 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). 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.
    8
    Why should I leave a gap during some installation?
    Amount of gap required depends on various factors; the length of piece (a piece of PVC free foam board or decor PVC mouldings) 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 55°F), leave a gap of about 1/8" per 12' length. (For shorter pieces the gap can be less). In warmer weather (75°F or over), do not leave a gap, providing the product is warm when applied.
    9
    How do I join pieces?
    Ensure all surfaces to be glued are smooth and clean. Use exterior-grade, PVC compatible, urethane-based adhesives. 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. Clamping or other mechanical fastening is recommended to hold product in place while adhesive cures. For all adhesives, follow the adhesive manufacturer's recommendations. Bonding to other surfaces: XIN.XIN PVC foam board and PVC mouldings can also be bonded to a variety of substrates. Specific substrate combinations require specific adhesives: contact cement, epoxy, rubber-based adhesives, or urethane-based adhesives. Ensure to use appropriate cement for each substrate. Always follow the adhesive manufacturer's instructions, and check the bond on a test piece before proceeding with the installation.
    10
    How to rout?
    For crisp, clean edges, use a carbide-tipped bit on a router. For more PVC mouldings, please contact XIN.XIN
    11
    How to drill?
    You can drill XIN.XIN PVC foam board and PVC mouldings with standard woodworking drill bits. Do not use bits made for rigid PVC foam board. Avoid heat buildup from excessive friction, and remove the shavings from the drill hole frequently.
    12
    How to cut?
    XIN.XIN PVC foam board and PVC mouldings can be cut using standard woodworking power tools. Keep blades sharp for best results. If clamping when cutting, use blocks to avoid marking the products. Best results are obtained using saw blades designed for cutting wood or plastic. A 32-tooth carbide-tipped blade is recommended with circular saws. To maintain a smooth edge, support the trim across its entire length when you cut it. AVOID rapid sawing or fine-tooth blades to reduce heat build-up.