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How to stop prempanel acoustic panels off-gassing?

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?store=2708&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1um-BhDtARIsABjU5x6anLogp6ZStrYhNJAhd14TtXUBQ1slTajF7dAginfS6FQBfsAI47gaArLBEALw_wcB

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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 att.PaOMI-OxC0Ci3RIrJYS5CPiWB2Y9ETAmq_rhVXzX5fg.jpg
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

joel5217

little update
Bunnings store that i bought from haven't tried to reach out yet
going to call the store tomorrow
i've moved into the room to work in and still smell it with an air purifier running non stop now
some days i don't smell anything
some days i get little smells throughout the day but today has been nonstop
and notice it the most when just entering the room so i think i get used to it throughout the day
but when i smell it i get the headaches which today was the last straw

Smells of uncured wood, would sealing it work? or even just putting cabinet's in front of it take some smell out?

depending on what the store says I'm gunna try pull off the slats one by one then try cut the back fabric as close to the glue as possible to try minimize damage to the wall as i need to work throughout the week in there

Dave-1

Afternoon @joel5217

😕 I was hoping that the scent would have dropped by now for you. I was in a Bunnings store yesterday and was checking the panels out (I do admit it had slipped my mind the scent you are describing) and didnt smell anything. I actually went up to all of them as I am going to install a few in my foyer 🙂 I can still smell the new paint I used on the bookcases (its a laminate paint) that I painted a week and a half ago and the scent does ebb and sway with different days. Tho it is on a downward level.

I might try and keep a log of how long my foyer smells of fresh paint/plastering as I am going to be painting it in the next few days.

As to the store and having a chat with them, I always find my best results when I talk to the people in person. Take that sample piece you mentioned and have a chat. Hopefully it will help work out what the issue is.

Feeling your pain.

Dave

EricL

Hi @joel5217

I definitely recommend brining a sample of the Prempanel to the store to make sure that they smell the off gassing of the panel.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your panels sorted out.

Eric

MitchellMc

Hi @joel5217,

Josh, one of the leaders at Bunnings Mindarie has tried to reach out several times without success. He's going to give you another call now to try and connect. Feel free to contact him at the store as I've provided details of the issue to him.

Mitchell

OJ26

@MitchellMc @EricL @joel5217 Hello we have just got trade install same panels just yesterday at our new house and have same issue( wondering what resolution you came to? I had to work in that room and apart from headache it's triggering my asthma. was removing only solution?

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @OJ26.

I'm sorry to hear you've had an issue with your product.

I'll follow up with our team again today and reach out via private message for additional details and to offer solutions.

Many thanks for your patience.

Mitchell

joel5217

So for me the only option was to remove as nothing was working to fix the smell and currently working with the store i bought it from on getting a refund
they've been removed for a week now and my whole garage just smells of the panels now
they offered to swap colours as i noticed when i went in the oak panels don't have the smell
but didn't want to go through it again and just had to rip them down

haven't had an issue in the room at all since pulling them down and wish i removed it sooner rather than trying to wait for the smell to go

contact your store you got them from and explain, the customer service has been great for me

JacobZ

Hi @joel5217,

Thank you for sharing your experience.

I'm glad to hear the store has been helpful and sorry to hear of the ongoing issues.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any further support.

Jacob

Kindrew

Hey there, wondering if you’ve had an update on your issue? Just just installed in our bedroom at it’s exactly these same issues 🙁 I’m worried as we are sleeping in the environment and the off gassing smell is so strong it wakes me up at night with a headache. It’s been 2 weeks with no change in the intensity of the smell.

Jason

@Kindrew,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Sorry to hear that you are also having an issue with your panels.

One of our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. experts will be happy to reach out via private message to get your contact details and assist.

Thanks for your patience in the meantime.

Jason

EricL

Hello @Kindrew

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us.

I'm sorry to hear that you're having issues with your Prempanel acoustic panels. Please allow me to get in contact with you through private messaging so that I can provide you with further assistance.

Thank you for your patience.

Eric

Rob31

You are not alone. We have just been caught out by this product.

They keep the Formaldehyde issue quiet which doesn't help when you use them as headboards!!! Dangerous and should be shouted out load.

Jason

@Rob31,

I will ask one of our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. experts to reach out to assist you.

Welcome to the community. Please let me know if you need a hand getting the most from the Bunnings Workshop site.

Jason

EricL

Hello @Rob31

In order for me to provide you with further assistance, please allow me to get in contact with you through private messaging.

Eric

Rob31

@Nailbag @joel5217 @Kindrew

Hi guys, having had the same issues with headaches and destroying our wall removing the black panels, we have had nothing but broken promises from Bunnings about making this right. This despite knowing and admitting there was an issue. Still can’t believe they advised buying a fan! This product cannot be found in any store near us now. We will be taking this further and if anyone is interested please reach out. Cheers, Rob.

Susantanner09

Just found this post as I was googling the same thing, we have thousands of dollars worth of these panels install professionally 3 months ago and the smell is still horrid, strong chemical smell and slightly different depending on the colour of the wood as we have a few different colours, its STR so I'm finding im having to travel in before any guest arrives and put the air con on in every room to remove the smell, means short notice bookings are risky as the smell gives people headaches 😩 and even a bit cat pee smelling which is probably worse.

Did you get anywhere with Bunnings?

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Susantanner09. It's wonderful to have you join us.

The best course of action is to contact the Bunnings store where you purchased the panels and flag the issue with them. Stores have been handling cases like this individually, so your first step is to speak with the store management. They should be able to guide you on the next steps and help you with any possible resolution.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

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