If you have questions about how to use paint stripper or dispose of it when you’re done, then read on for answers to these and other commonly asked questions about these products. Q. Will paint stripper ruin my clothes?

This paint stripper’s ability to remove some of the most commonly used coatings for wood, including oil- and water-based paint, epoxies, varnishes, shellacs, and lacquers, makes it an ideal paint stripper for wood. This formula does not include methylene chloride or NMP, which is safer for the user and the environment while also being gentler on wood. This makes it an ideal choice for stripping antique furniture. Be sure to use protective equipment for safe handling, including long sleeves, gloves, and goggles. Home Strip® non-toxic paint and stain removers are classified within the following EU directive: Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC and further conform with the following EU Harmonized Standard: EN71-1:2011. The toy safety directive 2009/48/EC applies to toys defined for use in play by children under the age of 14 years of age.

Benefits of Using Home Strip to Strip Paint and Varnish

Caustic paint strippers can be removed in much the same way as solvents, biochemical, and low-VOC paint strippers, except that they also need to be neutralized with a vinegar-and-water solution to prevent damage to the target surface. Make sure to wipe away all remaining paint stripper with a cloth that is treated with water and vinegar. Using a paint scraper tool is one of the hardest and most time-consuming alternatives, but it’s also one of the cheapest and uses absolutely no chemicals. Low- or zero-VOC paint strippers are the safest option if you are concerned about the harmful effects of some of the other types. They are made with naturally occurring solvents, like benzyl alcohol, rather than more caustic chemicals like NMP or methylene chloride. For example, our Best Overall, the Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel contains no methylene chloride or NMP and has a pleasant citrus smell. There's a tradeoff for the more environmentally friendly formula, however: These strippers tend to take more time, applications, and scraping to remove paint completely than older, more toxic formulations. Use these paint strippers on water- or oil-based paint that has been applied to a metal or masonry surface. Low- and zero-VOC strippers also work on wood surfaces, but the results can vary depending on the paint and the type of wood.

By starting small, you can gauge how effective the paint stripper is in removing unwanted paint. Plus, it’s easier to work with smaller areas, at least at first. There are four main types of paint strippers that function in unique ways and contain varying levels of VOC content. Home Strip™ is a revolutionary unique patented water-based paint stripper using science not solvents that is safer to its user and the environment than conventional hazardous solvents. Home Strip® awarded Millenium Products Status for creative and innovative products for the Millennium.

Home Strip and Lead Based Paints

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of chemicals that are often found in home-maintenance products. They release a gas that can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat in the best case scenario or cause cancer in the worst case scenario. A safe paint stripper for indoor use has a low VOC level. If you’re working outdoors, VOC level is less of a concern because you’ll have the open air around you for ventilation. Paint and Surface Compatibility

To achieve this preparation, you first mix equal parts of these three ingredients and then add about eight cups of cold water, mixing it up well until it’s all dissolved. Low-VOC paint strippers can be rinsed off with water, and they need to be applied in 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch layers. Leave the paint stripper for three to 24 hours before attempting to scrape away the paint. Deane Biermeier, a licensed contractor and carpenter, and a memberof The Spruce's Home Improvement Review BoardShoppers who are stripping old paint in homes built pre-1978 will want to first test with a lead paint test kit. If the test is positive, it’s important to choose a paint stripper labeled for use on lead paint (these strippers may fall into any of the four categories of paint strippers above and usually come in a paste or gel form to trap lead particles and keep them from going airborne). Application A liquid paint stripper gets results faster compared to semi-paste, but it does tend to run when applied to a vertical surface such as a wall.

Is it really necessary to use a liquid or gel paint stripper? It depends on the project. Paint stripper reaches into the crevices of ornate trim and molding to remove paint where scrapers and sandpaper struggle. Strippers also reduce or eliminate dust and debris caused by sanding and scraping. But for flat surfaces, skipping the stripper could be the best choice. Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is an excellent alternative to expensive paint removers. You can also use baking powder, though it has a few extra ingredients, such as cream of tartar.

Removal of Paint and Varnish From Timber

The heat gun must be applied to the area you want to clean the paint off until it creates small bubbles. Then, use a scraper to get the paint completely off the surface. It can be a slow process, so patience is a must. Sodium borate is also referred to as borax, its most common name, and is usually utilized to clean different appliances around the house. Our range of safer water-based products includes multi-purpose paint strippers, a one-stop all-round graffiti remover, a textured coatings remover (ideal for removing Artex® type coatings) and other specialist products like hand cleaners, glue removers and degreasers. This can be done manually with a hand sander and a whole lot of elbow grease (not an option with lead-based paint) or with a paint stripper, which will take care of the task at hand in far less time and with far less effort. Liquid laundry detergent is pet-friendly and can be used individually or as one of the ingredients for the mixture in paint removers.