How to stop prempanel acoustic panels off-gassing?

[joel5217]

I recently installed 6 x prempanel black oak acoustic panels in my theatre/office and it looks great but the smell it gives off gives me a headache, learnt that this is called off gassing and it gives off strong VOCs that clearly affect me(cant walk into the room without getting a light headache)
I've given it a week and trying to ventilate it for the last 5 days with a fan and an air purifier on full and it smells the same as the day i put them on, just wondering if the smell eventually goes away or any ideas how to get rid of the smell and if even getting rid of the smell would get rid of the headaches, or do i cut my loses and just take them down.

ive seen people say leave them in the garage for a week before installing but saw that too late and i cut the panels and installed them on the day i got them using liquid nails, so if the answer is take them down then im not putting them back up even if the smell is gone. as I'm assuming the wall would be destroyed (would appreciate any removal of liquid nails tips so i can try avoid destroying the wall)

kind of disappointing as none of the reviews have had issues with this and i seem to be the only one, and the instructions don't say anything about VOCs or what to do about getting rid of the smell

Product: https://www.bunnings.com.au/prempanel-2700-x-600-x-21mm-black-oak-timber-acoustic-panel_p0455961?sto...

[EricL]

Hello @joel5217 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your questions about the Prempanel panels.

I'm sorry to hear that the off gassing of the panels is giving you a headache. This is the first I've heard of this incident, and it seems a shame to simply remove your freshly installed panels. I suspect that the smells will eventually dissipate but, I'm not sure how long it will take. Instead of removing the panels, I propose investing in a high-volume air mover like the Dynabreeze 450mm Silver Industrial Floor Fan. I recommend keeping your windows open and placing the fan right in front of the panels to move the off gassing towards the windows. 

I'm afraid standard domestic electric fans will not be strong enough to push the smell away. You can also use a Bear Disposable Paint Mask With Active Carbon Filter And Valve - 2 Pack while you are using the office. I suggest running the fan at full blast and keeping the windows fully open for another 10 days to see if the smell decreases. If the off gassing still remains at the same level, you can then start considering removing the panels.

In regards to disassembly, because you used liquid nails the walls will get damaged when you pull the panels off. You can try to use a Craftright 380mm Wrecking Bar to lift the panel but damage to both wall and panel will be unavoidable.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Evening @joel5217 

😕 I have been told I have a sensitive sense of smell I dont think so but hey its what I have. You know what I will be doing the next few days or weekend? I am off to look a little odd at Bunnings as I try and smell the panels I have walked past them all the time and generally stop and poke them as my mind flicks through ideas on how I could use them. I havnt smelt anything but like I said I will be off to see

I would suggest the same type of fan that @EricL has, I have one I use all the time and its dried out my garage floor plus carpet nicely when I had water issues. I would run it for a few weeks and then see if its changed the scent. I would actually have thought there would be more scent from the liquid nails then the panels. I dont know of anything that could be used to mask the scent you describe as all you are doing is adding deodrant to a case of BO Wait a few weeks and see if there is less after using the fan and keeping it ventilated. 

Pulling the panels off that you have attached to liquid nails will be problematic as @EricL has mentioend. It will leave tears, holes maybe in the plaster.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @joel5217 

I'm sorry I can't offer any solution for you. I have used this product (albeit the lighter timber shaded ones) multiple times including more recently in my son's living rooms and have never noticed even the slightest smell.

I would see if @EricL could contact the supplier to see what they can offer.

Nailbag

[MitchellMc]

Hi @joel5217,

I'm sorry to hear of the issue you've had.

We haven't had any reports of odour from the acoustic panels or with Liquid Nails. As @Dave-1 mentioned, the odour would more likely be coming from the Liquid Nails than the boards themselves. However, even the solvent-based versions typically skin over in a matter of hours and are fully cured within 72 hours, eliminating any off-gassing and odour. For the smell to continue for a week is very odd. It's likely that any odours would diminish over time, but given we haven't run into this problem before, it's hard to tell exactly whether they will completely resolve.

I've flagged your issue with our buyer, and if the issue doesn't get better within a few days, I would encourage you to reach out to the management team at the store of purchase to discuss the next steps. I'll send you a private message for further details and put you in touch with a manager at the store where you purchased the items.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[joel5217]

@Nailbag @Dave-1 @EricL 

The smell is of wood and is very potent the liquid nails doesn't smell at all
I've changed to putting the fan up to the panels and the smell lessened but still is there
i went in store to double check i wasn't going crazy and the black oak while not as bad as my smell did smell the same
and the other oak panel didn't have the smell
I took a microfiber cloth and wiped along the panels in between the slats and it stained the microfiber cloth black

it looks like dust and even comes off when i run along it with my fingers, i tested scrubbing and using surface wipes to see how much i could get off and while the amount of black marks is less it still marks the cloth
I've vacuumed the panels above below and all over maybe 4 times now and still feels like I've made no progress

also the fan you linked was the exact fan ive been using its really good but then the second i turn the fan off the smell comes back in minutes

thank you for all responding so fast, i really don't want to take down the wall but its looking like the only option
knew the wall was going to get damaged if i had to take them off just was hoping it was gunna be years in the future not a week after i got the panels 
plan on taking in an off cut of one of the slats to explain to the staff in person see if anyone can help me out
 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @joel5217,

Just an update that the leadership team from Bunnings Mindarie will be reaching out shortly to discuss options to help resolve this situation.

Many thanks for your patience.

Mitchell

[Nailbag]

Hi @joel5217 

have you considered spraying the panels with one of the clear sealant spray packs? Though there would be some initial odour from the sealant for a day or so, but this would conceal the odour from the panels and save their removal. 

i have had success in achieving the same result from a different high odour metal flaked product. . 

@MitchellMc maybe able to suggest the most suitable sealant spray product for the panels which are primarily thick cloth backed panel with timber look vinyl wrapped strips.  

regards Nailbag. 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Nailbag,

We can certainly look at that depending on what our next move will be.

Mitchell

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @Nailbag and @MitchellMc 

I had a similar thought as Nailbag but then was more concerned over other chemicals eating/recting with the backing of the boards. Not sure how the sealants would react. Maybe a test piece beforehand?

Dave