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Product Overview

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Approved by Subject Editors on September 09, 2004

Reviewed by PeterS
AFM Naturals provides a very desirable product - low VOC clear wood finishes - in a limited field. The raw materials they utilize are relatively benign; it is not known how much energy processing requires nor what their waste stream includes. Relative to other paints or sealers, this product is outstanding - low VOC, low irritants, virtually no offgassing.

Reviewed by Miriam Landman
These products use organic, plant-based ingredients and are free of toxic driers, preservatives, and solvents. Simply by virtue of using less toxic ingredients, its products are more ecological (in terms of manufacturing inputs and releases): better for public health, as well as occupant health.

AFM is one of the only companies making low-toxic stains in the United States (other similar products are made in Europe). AFM's manufacturing plant is in Los Angeles, which is relatively close to the Bay Area (compared to many other manufacturers), so this reduces the transportation distance to ship it to our region.

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GreenHomeGuide Community Reviews

"Sadly Mediocre Floor Finish" by Ben Bergner (New York, NY) on August 19, 2006
Many of us are willing to sacrifice quality for a "green" product, but I'm looking forward to the day that is no longer necessary. I have used AFM paints and floor finish products and both suffered in quality and ease of application as compared with standard products.

I had two coats of AFM Oil Wax Finish applied by a professional floor finisher to about 1000 sq ft of freshly sanded (mixed old and new) red oak hardwood flooring in an apartment. The finish has a lot of wax in it and left a dull, somewhat tacky finish. I was surprised by the degree to which is darkened the wood, although the color was still attractive. Any cracks or small holes in the wood were filled with a white waxy residue. After a week, you could still scratch the waxy surface with a fingernail. The product took at least 3 weeks to fully dry (it says as much on the package), after which I had the floor guy come back to buff it with a white pad and a towel. Buffing improved the dullness somewhat, although the sheen was irregular. Even after buffing, the floor was still tacky and the finish is very scratch prone. I would say it needs a topcoat, but I’m hesitant to try the AFM Gel Wax which is the recommended top coat. This product was probably not my first choice, although I like the company's ideals. Sutherland Welles Tung Oil finish has a distinct odor which not everyone likes, and I was not able to have OSMO Hardwax Oil shipped within the time-frame required.

Michael McCrystal on October 16, 2004
We used AFM Safecoat Penetrating Oil to seal a new outdoor fence behind a San Francisco home. The fence was constructed of sustainably harvested redwood with pressure-treated fir posts. The product is fairly thick - not unlike honey - so application was arduous. Letting the can of sealant sit in the sunshine while we worked helped loosen up the liquid. Manufacturer claims 450 sq ft coverage per gallon. We got about 200. Our wood slats were very rough and absorbed the product instantly, which may explain that performance. On the other hand, since we had to lay it on pretty heavily, you could argue we applied two coats in one go. A few slats with smooth surfaces definitely spread much better. Logistical suggestion: apply product to boards before building the fence to ensure that ends and edges are accessible and coated. Odor from the product was not unpleasant. The raw redwood turned a pleasant deeper red after application, but did not appear "stained" or artificially colored. Odors were nearly absent by the third day after application.

Manufacturer Information

www.afmsafecoat.com

AFM - American Formulating & Manufacturing
3251 Third Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
Toll-free: 800-239-0321
Phone: 619-239-0321
Fax: 619-239-0565

AFM’s mission is to eliminate toxics to the greatest extent possible from paints, specialty coatings, cleaning products, stone and tile sealers, stains, and other building materials.  We are dedicated to developing products that focus as much on human health as on performance.  We have eliminated the use of hazardous or toxic materials, reduced offgassing to de minimis levels, and created formulations that prevent indoor air quality problems.  Our products have a long history of safe use even by the chemically sensitive, and are LEED qualified where applicable.

Thus whether you are an architect specifying materials for a fifty story building or a parent decorating a baby’s room, AFM’s promise is the same: we strive to set the standard for the safest, most non-polluting products for your home, your health and the planet.

Today, we remain the only company to provide a complete range of chemically responsible building and maintenance products. This is all we do.  Unlike other paint companies, we will never market a single “environmental” product while selling 1000 other toxic ones.

Health. Quality. Sustainability. Whether you are building or remodeling, ask for our paints, stains, wood finishes, sealers, cleaners and other building products.