ProCoat Products, Inc. FAQs - ProCoat Products, Inc.
What is the difference between using ProCoustic or regular latex paint on ceiling tiles?
What is the cost savings when comparing ceiling restoration and new tile replacement?
Are there any other saving factors when comparing ceiling restoration vs. new tile replacement?
Can ceilings be restored in occupied spaces that contain furnishings, equipment or in the case of retail stores, merchandise on racks?
If the property owner/manager has locations in a broad geographic area (even nationally), how can they identify qualified applicators in every location?
Is ceiling restoration appropriate when there is a need to change the ceiling color?
Can in-house maintenance personnel restore ceilings?
If, after a ceiling has been restored with ProCoustic, a roof leak causes water stains. What can be done?
Since heavy nicotine tends to bleed through and yellow white pigmented water based paint materials, should the ceiling be primed first before applying ProCoustic?
Is ProCoustic the only product used in the ceiling restoration process?
Will ProCoustic adhere to the t-bars and other non-porous surfaces such as air diffusers and audio speaker plates?
Is there a manufacturer's warranty on the acoustical coating product?
What if the only problem is an occasional water stain. Does the whole ceiling have to be treated or can the stained area be touched up?
Is ProCoustic only used on acoustical ceilings?
Can ProCoustic be brushed or rolled?
From a contractor's perspective, what advantages or benefits does the use of ProCoustic provide?
If a contractor wishes to market ceiling restoration as a service business, is there help available regarding the better approaches to use?
Can contractors and other end-users make purchases directly from ProCoat?
Q. What is the difference between using ProCoustic or regular latex paint on ceiling tiles?
A: Conventional paints have a bridging quality that can result in the fissures being covered with a film of dried material. On an acoustical tile, closing the fissures in the tile's surface reduces the tile's ability to absorb sound, thereby causing an increase in noise level within that space. The same bridging characteristic results in the tile being stuck to the supporting t-bars, making it difficult to gain access above the ceiling for maintenance purposes.
Q: What is the cost savings when comparing ceiling restoration and new tile replacement?
A: While labor and overhead cost vary geographically, the rule of thumb is that ceiling restoration is at least one-half the dollar cost of replacement. And since it is accomplished in one-third of the time required for the removal/replacement process, there are considerable savings in indirect costs as well.
Q: Are there any other saving factors when comparing ceiling restoration vs. new tile replacement?
A:	There are four significant additional savings that are generally recognized.
1.	Installation time, particularly in occupied spaces, is one-third of that required for new tile replacement.
2.	Ceiling tile restoration reduces solid waste disposal.
3. A restored tile has a surface finish that will hold its color longer and provide better light dispersion than any other alternative. This increases the life expectancy of the ceiling.
4.	There is a reduction in energy costs due to increased light reflectance.
Q: Can ceilings be restored in occupied spaces that contain furnishings, equipment or in the case of retail stores, merchandise on racks?
A: This type of situation represents the greatest market for ceiling restoration. Under these conditions, work is typically done in off-hours. The limited available time often makes tile replacement impractical but ideal for restoration.
Q: If the property owner/manager has locations in a broad geographic area (even nationally), how can they identify qualified applicators in every location?
A: ProCoat maintains and constantly expands a network of qualified applicators that can be contacted on any specific project. See ProCoat's Contract Services program on the web site.
Q: Is ceiling restoration appropriate when there is a need to change the ceiling color?
A: It is done all the time. The standard white coating can be tinted to match a pastel color by any paint store. Any other color is available on a special order basis.
Q: Can in-house maintenance personnel restore ceilings?
A: Absolutely. It is common for maintenance personnel at health-care and academic institutions to restore ceilings, following the Application Guide produced by ProCoat.
Q: If, after a ceiling has been restored with ProCoustic, a roof leak causes water stains. What can be done?
A: ProCoat distributes an Acoustical Tile Restorer, packaged in aerosol, which matches ProCoustic in color, and can be used to mask water and soot stains. Unlike most primers on the market, this product covers the stain in one application and does not leave a shiny spot on the ceiling.
Q: Since heavy nicotine tends to bleed through and yellow white pigmented water based paint materials, should the ceiling be primed first before applying ProCoustic?
A: No, the application of a primer will negate the restoration process. Primers will close the pores of the tile and leave the tile stuck to the t-bar system. Instead, ProCoat's Acoustical Tile and Ceiling Cleaner should be used to chemically neutralize the nicotine. This will not have a physical effect on the tile and eliminates the bleed through problem prior to the application of ProCoustic.
Q: Is ProCoustic the only product used in the ceiling restoration process?
A: No. The restoration process is intended to return the ceiling appearance and performance to as close to "new" as possible. Most times this can be accomplished with one application of ProCoustic. On the other hand, there are cases where the surface contamination is light enough that the acoustical tile cleaning product produces satisfactory results and there is no need to apply an acoustical coating. An excellent example is vinyl-covered tiles that are non-porous and where all of the contamination can be removed with the cleaning process. And finally, there are other situations, where in order to achieve the desired results, it is necessary to use a combination: the cleaner to pre-treat surface contamination prior to the application of ProCoustic.
Q: Will ProCoustic adhere to the t-bars and other non-porous surfaces such as air diffusers and audio speaker plates?
A: Yes, providing standard "good paint practice" is followed, there should be no problem. The old adage that a paint job is as good as the surface preparation still holds. If the non-porous surfaces are covered with grease, nicotine or other contaminants that could prevent proper bonding, then they should be cleaned first. ProCoat's Hard Surface Cleaner is a low-cost; fast acting product specifically designed for this purpose. Also, aluminum and galvanized metal should be primed first in order to achieve proper adhesion.
Q: Is there a manufacturer's warranty on the acoustical coating product?
A: Yes, there is. Since there is no way of knowing what the ceiling material will be subjected to, in the way of contamination, it is difficult to assign a guaranteed life expectancy. Therefore, the warranty is stated in the following manner: The new surface finish will last as long or longer than a new tile would, subjected to the same environmental conditions.
Q: What if the only problem is an occasional water stain. Does the whole ceiling have to be treated or can the stained area be touched up?
A: No, the whole ceiling does not have to be treated. ProCoat provides an Acoustical Tile Restorer in Aerosol, tinted to the same color as a new tile. This product provides a quick one-step solution to water stains. The same product is available in an ultra-white for touching up ceilings previously coated with ProCoustic and an eggshell color for old discolored ceilings.
Q: Is ProCoustic only used on acoustical ceilings?
A:	No. ProCoustic can be applied to surfaces other than acoustic tile i.e., popcorn, drywall, plaster, etc.
Q: Can ProCoustic be brushed or rolled?
A: ProCoustic was designed to be applied via airless or HVLP spray equipment as a primary means of application. It can also be rolled, but the "ProCoat Application Guide" should be reviewed for instructions prior to beginning any work. It cannot be brushed since it is a non-bridging material.
Q: From a contractor's perspective, what advantages or benefits does the use of ProCoustic provide?
A: There are many advantages and benefits. The professional contractor uses state-of-the-art products that are specifically designed for a particular application. Using the better product doesn't always mean that it cost more money. To the contrary, ProCoustic has better hide capability and as a result, yields much better coverage than the less expensive latex paints. Further, where a discolored ceiling requires a primer and a topcoat, the job can more frequently be accomplished with one application of ProCoustic.
ProCoustic leaves a finish that looks natural and not "painted." The better the appearance, the more pleased the customer is in the contractor's performance. That means a better reputation that invariably leads to more work.
The contractor that is aware of the damage conventional paints have on acoustics and fire retardancy, generally impresses the prospective customer more than others who have not addressed this issue. The contractor that cautions the customer against leaving the tiles stuck to the supporting t-bar system will come across as "knowing his business" and having far more credibility.
Q: If a contractor wishes to market ceiling restoration as a service business, is there help available regarding the better approaches to use?
A: A call to ProCoat's corporate office at (781) 767-2270 is all that is necessary to speak with a contractor support agent. It is their job to assist contractors in all facets of the business, whether it is application techniques or marketing tips.
Q: Can contractors and other end-users make purchases directly from ProCoat?
A: By corporate policy, ProCoat prefers to sell through authorized dealers who, in turn, service the end-users at the local level. It is because of the strict adherence to this policy that ProCoat has forged a strong and trusting relationship with national product distributors. However, in those instances where the contractor does not have the support of a local distributor, they may order directly. Orders can be called in to (781) 767-2270 and paid for by credit card.