Effective Paint Strippers

Methylene Chloride Strippers

• Methylene chloride strippers are by far the most popular paint removers because they are effective on a very wide set of coatings. MC breaks the adhesive bond of the coating, causing as many as twelve layers of paint or varnish to blister or sag away from the substrate. MC strippers are most commonly supplied in a liquid version for use on horizontal surfaces and a semi-paste formula for vertical surfaces. MC evaporates quickly, so users should plan to apply the MC to a relatively small area, gently scrape off the softened paint, and then repeat the process in an adjacent area until the project is complete. Unfortunately, there are health concerns about methylene chloride. MC produces a bittersweet aroma that can irritate eyes and nasal passages, and it is also suspected of being a carcinogen. Work in a well-ventilated area wearing protective gloves, face mask, and safety glasses.

ATM Strippers

• ATM strippers – composed of acetone, toluene, and methanol – are relatively fast-acting removers that are effective at softening paints and varnishes so they can be easily removed. This formula evaporates quickly and may require multiple applications if there are several layers of the old coating. That makes ATM a more appropriate choice for removing furniture varnishes, where the coating build-up is not very thick, than for working with heavy layers of paint. Extended exposure to ATM fumes can lead to headaches, dizziness and even brain damage. Users should work in a well-ventilated area and wear protective gloves, safety glasses, and an appropriate respirator.

NMP Strippers

• N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone is a powerful but slower acting stripper that is often marketed as a safer solution than MC or ATM. It is usually supplied in paste or gel form, and is effective at removing multiple coats of oil or latex paint, varnish, urethane or epoxy. NMP takes several hours to work, so some formulations include a color change indicator that advises users when the chemical stripping process is complete. While the usual safety wear recommendations apply, NMP evaporates so slowly that it may not require the same attention to ventilation as the fast-acting strippers.

Caustic or Alkaline Strippers

• Sodium hydroxide is the primary active ingredient in alkaline strippers, which are often used to remove paint from large surface areas. Also known as caustics, these strippers have become the preferred method for removing lead paint from walls and woodwork, because they allow softened paint to be removed cleanly without releasing any toxic lead into the air. Alkaline strippers are very effective, but are less do-it-yourself friendly than other paint removal choices. With a pH level as high as 13, caustics can burn the skin and damage soft tissues, so it is important to wear protective clothing, goggles, gloves, and the recommended respirator.

Green Strippers

• Green varieties of paint strippers include di-basic-ester, d-limeone, methyl soyate and soy methyl ester. When used as the primary ingredient in a paint removers, these chemicals are noticeably slower and less powerful than conventional stripping chemicals. They have proven more effective in as degreasers and in adhesive removers, which makes them quite effective as secondary solvents that boost the performance of NMP-based stripper compounds.