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Product Overview

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Approved by Subject Editors on August 12, 2004

Reviewed by PeterS
AFM strives to be an industry leader in low-VOC, low-toxin paints and finishes. Manufactured in Los Angeles and distributed widely, they are relatively 'local to the western states. It is not known what energy consumption and waste stream impacts occur during manufacture, comparable to other paint companies. In the current wolrd of paints, Safecoat stands above most others. Formulated specifically to minimize airbone byproducts, this paint is quite benign.

Reviewed by Miriam Landman
AFM's manufacturing plant is in Los Angeles, which is relatively close to the Bay Area (compared to many other paint manufacturers), so this reduces the transportation distance to ship it to our region. AFM also strives to minimize the lifecycle impacts of its manufacturing process, and 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's paints and finishes were formulated for chemically sensitive people. They are not only very low-odor and low-VOC (zero-VOC options are also available) but are also free of other toxic ingredients and they are made to cure in a way that seals in offgassing. AFM's products may be the most healthful in the marketplace. They do not currently have any third-party certification of their low-VOC claims. However, it should be noted that third-party certification is expensive, so small companies like this one are rarely able to pay to have their products go through the certification process. AFM feels that their products have gone far beyond the Green Seal certification standards. Green Seal standards mostly cover governmentally 'regulated VOCs,' which were originally regulated for their photochemically reactive contribution to smog, not their effects on indoor air quality. Some of the regulated VOCs are fairly benign for indoor use, while there are a number of non-regulated VOCs (and other ingredients used in conventional paints) that are highly toxic.

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GreenHomeGuide Community Reviews

ca_george38 on June 29, 2005
We used AFM paints on our exterior siding, interior walls and interior trim. The exterior siding is a natural penetrating oil. It is quite thick, but easy to work with and can thinned with AFM thinner. I'm not a professional painter, but I think a pro would spray it on, we brushed and rolled it without much difficulty. It is holding up well.

We used interior primer, flat and semi-gloss on the interior walls. It was easy to roll, and there was no smell. I had a professional painter help on the interior walls and he liked the paint, and the results are great.

We used an wax oil combination on the trim and had a professional team do all the work. They had never used the product before, but really liked it. They were able to do the two coat job quickly , because there is only a 15 minute wait between coats. The finish added a real depth to the trim.

joseph on September 08, 2004
I have used safecoat paints and found them to be a profession highquality product . I had no evident health effects that standard products can leave me experiencing.lots of color chioces.

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.