Screen smell

[duncanr]

Bought an Adastra roll down screen - build quality is fine, image quality very acceptable (to me - newbie, 720p LCD PJ), but it STINKS! Have searched the forums and elsewhere about this, and found this from Stuartbrown21, with quote that

'Roll down screens are apparently painted with some sort of chemical to enable flexibilty and it smells like particularly strong paint or solvent fumes. I had a pounding headache for the first few days. I've aired the screen for a while and the smell has pretty much died away now. So - if you're getting such a screen, be aware, it will smell initially and requires a full airing in a room with windows and doors open for a day or so.'

I'm following this advice as far as I can, but it's a bit tricky with two children in the house, and somewhat worrying what with all the stuff in the news last year about toxin-laden paint on Chinese toys etc .

So, basically, is the stuff on these screens actually safe? Anyone know?

Alternatively, I could hang it on the washing line for a week and treat the birds to a drive-in.

 

[KelvinS1965]

Both my screens had a smell when I first got them, my current one is a Beamax and the smell is going after a week or so. I only notice it when I come back into the room and then only when it's down. It does make me wonder if these fumes are harmful too, but I think airing the room should be sufficient with the screen down ( and the kids out ).

 

[duncanr]

Thanks Kelvin - I'm shivering in the cold with all the windows open and the screen fully extended as I write, with the kids out at a birthday party. Must buy a balaclava.

 

[Nuwidol]

All the screens I've experienced have had this too (three including a friends)

Would be nice if the screens had a warning sticker on them just to let you know it was going to be there & to prepare you for it...

 

[tiddler]

My screen also smelled like chemicals when I first used it. The smell did go away after a while but it was quite strong at first.

 

[stew007]

I have one too, I hung it up in the shed for about a week to air it, and the smell is more or less gone now, but I can still smell it cant be good for you.

 

[IWC Dopplel]

Interesting my Carada didn't seem to smell at all, at least not noticeably

 

[Axel40]

Yep, both mine had it.

I love it.

Seriously, it smells great.

 

[stripe]

My beamax fixed screen was a bit smelly for the first couple of hours. Now it's just amazing

 

[Kennyggg]

Thanks Kelvin - I'm shivering in the cold with all the windows open and the screen fully extended as I write, with the kids out at a birthday party. Must buy a balaclava.

This is what I have been doing too. I have been keeping the screen down, and the windows open when I'm out of the house too. It is the first few days with my screen, and the smell spread to about 2-3 other rooms! And my setup is in my bedroom, so I have to sleep with the smell lol.

Nice to know it will go away, as it is such a strong smell. Anyone have any other tips how to help speed up the removal?

 

[Tight Git]

My Beamax fixed screen was a bit smelly for the first couple of hours. Now it's just amazing

Second that!

Since my Home Cinema Room was purpose built with no windows, ventilation is zero unless I open the doors.

But that awful smell is just a distant memory now...

Later thought: It's nearly 12 months since I bought my Beamax, but I have a feeling that the unpleasant smell was mentioned in the assembly instructions, so obviously others have noticed it.

Perhaps Otto can confirm, please?