Question from Min
Dear Debra,
Is it possible for faux wood paneling be “encapsulated” so that it no longer emits VOC’s? Would a coat of paint (without an AFM sealant at all) take care of the emissions? Or, would there be any benefit to leaving the paneling just as it is (no paint or AFM-type sealant) and just covering it with, for example, unfinished wood beaded board? Thanks so much!
Debra’s Answer
It would be possible to encapsulate faux wood paneling so it doesn’t emit VOCs by using the proper AFM product, designed for this purpose. You’ll have to check with them as to the right product.
The AFM sealant is specially formulated to have the molecules very tightly bonded together so that the tiny gas molecules cannot go through. Paint will reduce some emissions, but it is not designed to be a sealant.
Simply putting more wood on top would not completely encapsulate it either, as wood is porous. Though the outgassing would be slowed, the gasses can penetrate any porous material.
If you want to cover it with another piece of wood, you could place a barrier between that would stop the outgassing, such as aluminum foil. However, there are electromagnetic disadvantages to doing this.
Can you simply remove the paneling and then finish the wall in whatever way you want?
