# Paint stripper

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Chemical product that removes paint, finishes, and coatings

Paint remover is applied to an aircraft's landing gear during an inspection looking for cracks in the aluminum

**Paint stripper** or **paint remover** is a chemical product designed to remove [paint](/source/Paint), [finishes](/source/Wood_finishing), and [coatings](/source/Coating), while also cleaning the underlying surface. Chemical paint removers are advantageous because they act on any kind of geometry and they are cheap. They can however be slow acting.[1]

Paint can also be removed using mechanical methods (scraping or [sanding](/source/Sanding)) or heat ([hot air](/source/Heat_gun), [radiant heat](/source/Infrared_heater), or [steam](/source/Steam_cleaning)).

## Types

The selection of chemical paint removers is based on the chemical bonds that form the paint's binder. Two basic categories of chemical paint removers are caustic and solvent.

### Caustics

Caustic paint removers, typically aqueous [sodium hydroxide](/source/Sodium_hydroxide) (also known as lye or caustic soda), work by breaking down the [chemical bonds](/source/Chemical_bonds) of the paint, usually by [hydrolysis](/source/Hydrolysis) of the esters that comprise the paint film.[1] Caustic removers must be neutralized or the new finish will fail prematurely. In addition, as caustic paint strippers typically include corrosive active ingredients, several side effects and health risks must be taken into account in using. Caustic aqueous solutions are typically used by [antique dealers](/source/Antique_dealer) who aim to restore old furniture by stripping off worn [varnishes](/source/Varnish), for example.

### Solvents

Solvent-base paint strippers can be complex mixtures of various [organic solvents](/source/Organic_solvent), [emulsifiers](/source/Emulsifier), thickening agents, alkaline or acid active ingredients as well as evaporation and corrosion inhibitors. [Dichloromethane](/source/Dichloromethane), also called methylene chloride, is a popular solvent, but its use has been declining because of health concerns.[1] Traditional solvent paint strippers penetrate the layers of paint and break the bond between the paint and the object by [swelling](/source/Swelling_capacity) the paint.[2]

Aside from dichloromethane, some popular stripping solvents are [N-methylpyrrolidone](/source/N-methylpyrrolidone), [dimethylformamide](/source/Dimethylformamide), [benzyl alcohol](/source/Benzyl_alcohol), and [dimethyl adipate](/source/Dimethyl_adipate). None of these are [chlorocarbons](/source/Chlorocarbon).[3]

Paint strippers come in a liquid, or a [gel](/source/Gel) ("[thixotropic](/source/Thixotropic)") form that clings even to vertical surfaces.

Solvent strippers may also have formulations with [limonene](/source/Limonene) (obtained from orange peels) (or other [terpene](/source/Terpene) solvents). [Nitromethane](/source/Nitromethane) is another commonly used solvent. [Dimethyl sulfoxide](/source/Dimethyl_sulfoxide) is a less toxic alternative solvent used in some formulations. These alternatives are less effective than strippers based on dichloromethane.

## Alternatives

[Heat guns](/source/Heat_gun) are an alternative to chemical paint strippers. When heated, softened paint clumps and is easier to contain. High-temperature heat guns at 1,100 °F (590 °C) or more create toxic lead fumes in lead-based paint,[4][5] but low-temperature heat guns and 400 °F (200 °C) infrared paint removers do not create lead fumes.[6] Fire is a possible hazard of using heat guns.

Steam can be used on large surfaces or items to be stripped, such as window sash, can be placed inside a steam box.[7]

## Safety

A product's [material safety data sheet](/source/Material_safety_data_sheet) can provide more safety information than its product [labels](/source/Label).

Many traditional paint strippers were or are based on [dichloromethane](/source/Dichloromethane), which can pose serious health risks[8] and is banned in the United States and European Union for consumer use.[9][10] Deaths from dichloromethane were rare at fewer than 2.4 cases per year[11] and associated mostly with users applying large amounts in confined, poorly ventilated spaces.

Removing old [lead-based paint](/source/Lead-based_paint) can disperse lead and cause [lead poisoning](/source/Lead_poisoning); some U.S. regulations address removal of old paint that could contain lead.[12]

## See also

- [Distressing](/source/Distressing)

- [Nitromors](/source/Nitromors)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Ullmann_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Ullmann_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Ullmann_1-2) Molz, Thomas (2010). "Paints and Coatings, 5. Paint Removal". *Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry*. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1002/14356007.o18_o04](https://doi.org/10.1002%2F14356007.o18_o04). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-527-30385-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-527-30385-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Inc.2001_2-0)** Active Interest Media, Inc. (May–June 2001). ["Old-House Journal"](https://books.google.com/books?id=k-af0BaxVFIC). *Old House Journal*. Active Interest Media, Inc. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0094-0178](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0094-0178).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Durrani, Timur; Clapp, Robert; Harrison, Robert; Shusterman, Dennis (2020). "Solvent-based paint and varnish removers: A focused toxicologic review of existing and alternative constituents". *Journal of Applied Toxicology*. **40** (10): 1325–1341. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1002/jat.3979](https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fjat.3979). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [32342556](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32342556).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [*Reducing Lead Hazards when Remodeling Your Home*](https://books.google.com/books?id=SQQUAQAAMAAJ). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics. 1997.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Petit, Georges, and Donald Grant. *The manufacture and comparative merits of white lead and zinc white paints*. London: Scott, Greenwood & Son;, 1907. 13. Print. This source states that lead vapors are given off around 400 °F (200 °C) [http://www.mediafire.com/view/1xyimc3wdo3/manufacturecompa00petirich.pdf](http://www.mediafire.com/view/1xyimc3wdo3/manufacturecompa00petirich.pdf)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Thomas, Baker, "All About Exterior Paint", "This Old House Magazine" 2012. [https://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20586187_21145196,00.html](https://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20586187_21145196,00.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [*Old-House Journal*](https://books.google.com/books?id=qW03wP0EynUC). Active Interest Media, Inc.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** MacIsaac, J., Harrison, R., Krishnaswami, J., McNary, J., Suchard, J., Boysen-Osborn, M., Cierpich, H., Styles, L. and Shusterman, D. (2013), "Fatalities due to dichloromethane in paint strippers: A continuing problem". *Am. J. Ind. Med.* doi: 10.1002/ajim.22167 [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajim.22167/abstract?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=false](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajim.22167/abstract?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=false) accessed 6/1/2013

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Regulation - 1907/2006 - EN - REACH - EUR-Lex"](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2006/1907/oj). *eur-lex.europa.eu*. Retrieved 2025-05-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Final Rule on Regulation of Methylene Chloride in Paint and Coating Removal for Consumer Use"](https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/final-rule-regulation-methylene-chloride-paint-and). United States Environmental Protection Agency. 22 August 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Hoang, Anh; Fagan, Kathleen; Cannon, Dawn L.; Rayasam, Swati D. G.; Harrison, Robert; Shusterman, Dennis; Singla, Veena (2021-06-01). ["Assessment of Methylene Chloride–Related Fatalities in the United States, 1980-2018"](https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.1063). *JAMA Internal Medicine*. **181** (6): 797–805. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.1063](https://doi.org/10.1001%2Fjamainternmed.2021.1063). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2168-6106](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2168-6106). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [8056315](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8056315). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [33871539](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33871539).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Beckley, Bob; Groenier, James (December 2007). ["Lead-Based Paint: Planning Your Paint Removal Project"](https://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm07732330/). *T&D Pubs*. United States Forest Service. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190202210158/https://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm07732330/) from the original on 2019-02-02.

## External links

- [JAIC 1993: The composition of proprietary paint strippers](http://aic.stanford.edu/jaic/articles/jaic32-01-005_indx.html)

- [Old-House Journal article on paint removers starts on page 58](https://books.google.com/books?id=k-af0BaxVFIC)

- ["How To Use Paint Stripper"](https://paintcatalogue.com/how-to-use-paint-stripper/), an explanation on usage of paint strippers

- [Remove Old Paint from Walls](https://servicetasker.com.au/blogs/how-to-remove-old-paint-from-walls)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Paint stripper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paint_stripper) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paint_stripper?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.