{{Short description|Chemical product that removes paint, finishes, and coatings}}
[[File:USMC-120605-M-YE163-007.jpg|thumb|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]], [[wood finishing|finishes]], and [[coating]]s, 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.<ref name=Ullmann>{{cite book |doi=10.1002/14356007.o18_o04 |chapter=Paints and Coatings, 5. Paint Removal |title=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry |date=2010 |last1=Molz |first1=Thomas |isbn=978-3-527-30385-4 }}</ref>
Paint can also be removed using mechanical methods (scraping or [[sanding]]) or heat ([[heat gun|hot air]], [[infrared heater|radiant heat]], or [[steam cleaning|steam]]).
==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]] (also known as lye or caustic soda), work by breaking down the [[chemical bonds]] of the paint, usually by [[hydrolysis]] of the esters that comprise the paint film.<ref name=Ullmann/> 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 dealer]]s who aim to restore old furniture by stripping off worn [[varnish]]es, for example.
===Solvents=== Solvent-base paint strippers can be complex mixtures of various [[organic solvent]]s, [[emulsifier]]s, thickening agents, alkaline or acid active ingredients as well as evaporation and corrosion inhibitors. [[Dichloromethane]], also called methylene chloride, is a popular solvent, but its use has been declining because of health concerns.<ref name=Ullmann/> Traditional solvent paint strippers penetrate the layers of paint and break the bond between the paint and the object by [[swelling capacity|swelling]] the paint.<ref name="Inc.2001">{{cite journal|author=Active Interest Media, Inc.|title=Old-House Journal|journal=Old House Journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k-af0BaxVFIC|date=May–June 2001|publisher=Active Interest Media, Inc.|issn=0094-0178}}</ref>
Aside from dichloromethane, some popular stripping solvents are [[N-methylpyrrolidone]], [[dimethylformamide]], [[benzyl alcohol]], and [[dimethyl adipate]]. None of these are [[chlorocarbon]]s.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/jat.3979 |title=Solvent-based paint and varnish removers: A focused toxicologic review of existing and alternative constituents |date=2020 |last1=Durrani |first1=Timur |last2=Clapp |first2=Robert |last3=Harrison |first3=Robert |last4=Shusterman |first4=Dennis |journal=Journal of Applied Toxicology |volume=40 |issue=10 |pages=1325–1341 |pmid=32342556 }}</ref>
Paint strippers come in a liquid, or a [[gel]] ("[[thixotropic]]") form that clings even to vertical surfaces.
Solvent strippers may also have formulations with [[limonene]] (obtained from orange peels) (or other [[terpene]] solvents). [[Nitromethane]] is another commonly used solvent. [[Dimethyl sulfoxide]] is a less toxic alternative solvent used in some formulations. These alternatives are less effective than strippers based on dichloromethane.
==Alternatives== [[Heat gun]]s are an alternative to chemical paint strippers. When heated, softened paint clumps and is easier to contain. High-temperature heat guns at {{convert|1,100|F|C|-1}} or more create toxic lead fumes in lead-based paint,<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SQQUAQAAMAAJ |title=Reducing Lead Hazards when Remodeling Your Home |date=1997 |publisher=U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics |language=en}}</ref><ref>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 {{convert|400|F|C|-1}} http://www.mediafire.com/view/1xyimc3wdo3/manufacturecompa00petirich.pdf</ref> but low-temperature heat guns and {{convert|400|F|C|-1}} infrared paint removers do not create lead fumes.<ref>Thomas, Baker, "All About Exterior Paint", "This Old House Magazine" 2012. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20586187_21145196,00.html</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qW03wP0EynUC |title=Old-House Journal |date= |publisher=Active Interest Media, Inc. |language=en}}</ref>
==Safety== A product's [[material safety data sheet]] can provide more safety information than its product [[label]]s.
Many traditional paint strippers were or are based on [[dichloromethane]], which can pose serious health risks<ref>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 accessed 6/1/2013</ref> and is banned in the United States and European Union for consumer use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regulation - 1907/2006 - EN - REACH - EUR-Lex |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2006/1907/oj |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=eur-lex.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Final Rule on Regulation of Methylene Chloride in Paint and Coating Removal for Consumer Use |date=22 August 2019 |publisher=United States Environmental Protection Agency |url=https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/final-rule-regulation-methylene-chloride-paint-and }}</ref> Deaths from dichloromethane were rare at fewer than 2.4 cases per year<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Hoang|first1=Anh|last2=Fagan|first2=Kathleen|last3=Cannon|first3=Dawn L.|last4=Rayasam|first4=Swati D. G.|last5=Harrison|first5=Robert|last6=Shusterman|first6=Dennis|last7=Singla|first7=Veena|date=2021-06-01|title=Assessment of Methylene Chloride–Related Fatalities in the United States, 1980-2018|url=https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.1063|journal=JAMA Internal Medicine|volume=181|issue=6|pages=797–805|doi=10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.1063|pmid=33871539 |pmc=8056315 |issn=2168-6106}}</ref> and associated mostly with users applying large amounts in confined, poorly ventilated spaces.
Removing old [[lead-based paint]] can disperse lead and cause [[lead poisoning]]; some U.S. regulations address removal of old paint that could contain lead.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm07732330/ |title=Lead-Based Paint: Planning Your Paint Removal Project |last1=Beckley |first1=Bob |last2=Groenier |first2=James |work=T&D Pubs |publisher=United States Forest Service |date=December 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202210158/https://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm07732330/ |archive-date=2019-02-02}}</ref>
==See also== *[[Distressing]] *[[Nitromors]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://aic.stanford.edu/jaic/articles/jaic32-01-005_indx.html JAIC 1993: The composition of proprietary paint strippers] *[https://books.google.com/books?id=k-af0BaxVFIC Old-House Journal article on paint removers starts on page 58] *[https://paintcatalogue.com/how-to-use-paint-stripper/ "How To Use Paint Stripper"], an explanation on usage of paint strippers *[https://servicetasker.com.au/blogs/how-to-remove-old-paint-from-walls Remove Old Paint from Walls] {{Woodworking|expanded}}
[[Category:Household chemicals]] [[Category:Industrial processes]] [[Category:Painting materials]] [[Category:Woodworking]]