I am potentially interested in purchasing a sealer (AFM SafeCoat) for some grass cloth wallpaper in my baby's nursery. After reviewing the products available, I can't decide if AFM Safecoat Hard Seal or Acrylacq would be better (or something else I've missed). The wallpaper will be hung with a low-VOC adhesive and hopefully completely installed by the middle of June. My baby is due in the middle of September and I thought I'd give the wallpaper a couple months to cure, then apply the sealer to be safe. I would like to paint the sealer on myself, but I read that there is a bit of a smell. What causes this smell, anything dangerous to the baby? SAMPLE - AFM SafeCoat, Acrylacq, Matte Wood Stains & Sealers

Question

I am potentially interested in purchasing a sealer (AFM SafeCoat) for some grass cloth wallpaper in my baby's nursery. After reviewing the products available, I can't decide if AFM Safecoat Hard Seal or Acrylacq would be better (or something else I've missed). The wallpaper will be hung with a low-VOC adhesive and hopefully completely installed by the middle of June. My baby is due in the middle of September and I thought I'd give the wallpaper a couple months to cure, then apply the sealer to be safe. I would like to paint the sealer on myself, but I read that there is a bit of a smell. What causes this smell, anything dangerous to the baby? SAMPLE - AFM SafeCoat, Acrylacq, Matte Wood Stains & Sealers

Status: Open Jul 16, 2019 - 11:42 AM

1answer

Answer

Jul 16, 2019 - 11:42 AM

Both AFM SafeCoat Hard Seal and Acrylacq will encapsulate off-gassing. The only real difference will be sheen level on the wall. The Hard Seal only comes in a gloss and the Acrylacq comes in gloss or satin. Either will encapsulate equally with two coats. We always recommend ordering a sample to test for adhesion and appearance before making a purchase. We sent this question to AFM's top tech support. AFM advises against sealing the wallpaper because a water-based sealer could have a bad effect on the appearance of the wallpaper in a couple of ways: you don't want to wet the grass cloth, and the water-based sealer could cause it to bubble by affecting the adhesive. According to AFM, what smells in Hard Seal and Acrylac is a non-toxic ingredient that mimics the smell of ammonia. It is harmless.