Paint Removers & Strippers
Remover - Stripper???  What's the difference?
Which one is best?

     
Is there a difference between removers and strippers?
     Not really; the names are often interchanged.  However, there are differences between each type of remover.

Which one is best?
     That depends on the type of film one wants to remove or "strip".  Varnish removers are great for refinishing wood that has been stained and varnished.  If the varnish has been painted over, then a stronger remover is required.  Different removers have unique combinations of ingredients that make them best for specific projects.  Most removers work equally well on wood, metal & glass, so the decision needs to be based on the paint or finish to be removed.

What other factors are considered in the formulation of removers?
     Strength, speed, application, flammability, clean-up method and methylene chloride content are typical considerations for removers.  In addition our ALLPRO removers are formulated with surface active ingredients.  These ingredients are added to form a surface film which traps the active ingredients so they can do their work. 

     Apply the removers by pouring or flowing them onto the piece being stripped.  If a brush is used to spread out the remover, brush in one direction only.  Brushing back into the remover will break the surface film and allow the ingredients to evaporate.  When this happens, the remover can't penetrate and work as it is designed.

     Liquid No-Wash is a professional grade, flammable, varnish remover.  It contains methylene chloride as a key active ingredient.  It is thin, easy to work with, and offers great control of the amount of varnish to be removed.  It is ideal for use in small areas at a time.  Fine steel wool should be used, working with the grain, and residue can be removed with a paper towel.  To remove the stain or varnish to the bare surface, keep repeating the process.  This remover is great for fine detail work, such as refinishing antiques.
    


     Marine Remover is the strongest brushable, paste-type remover, capable of removing baked-on finishes, urethanes and most epoxy-based paints.  Marine can remove up to 12 layers in 60 minutes.  Although Marine Remover contains methylene chloride, it is not water washable, and a solvent based after wash may be needed.

ALLPRO REMOVERS SELECTOR CHART
Product Best For # of Layers Removed Estimated Reaction Time Water Washable Flammability Contains M.C.?
Liquid No Wash Stains & Varnish 1 15 minutes No Extremely Yes
Marine Paint Remover Baked Enamels & Epoxy 10 - 12 30 minutes No Non-Flammable Yes

 
  Tips for Best Results
     Prepare the piece to be stripped by removing all hardware.  Spread out a drop cloth to catch the drips and spills.  Work in a well ventilated area, out of direct sun and away from strong breezes.  Heat and wind cause the remover to dry before it has time to work effectively.

     "Flow" the remover onto the piece (typically to about 1/8" thickness).  Don't be stingy.  Use enough remover & let it work.  The only exception would be when removing latex paints.  When removing latex paint, use thin layers of remover and take off one layer of paint at a time.  Test for latex by rubbing clear remover onto the paint and rubbing with a "Q-Tip".  If the remover becomes cloudy during rubbing, it is latex.

     If the stripper is being applied with a brush, brush-on in one direction only.  Remember that brushing back & forth will break the surface film and allow active ingredients to evaporate.  Covering the remover with a sheet of plastic helps to keep the active ingredients working longer.

     Let the stripper do the work.  Some strippers work faster than others.  The "Directions for Use" on the stripper label will advise how long to let the stripper work.  Give the stripper time to do its job.  Start removing the softened paint just before the remover starts to dry.  Starting too soon may not have given the stripper time to soak through all layers.

     Scrape off the softened paint using a non-metallic scraping tool that will not gouge the wood, metal or fiberglass surface.  Remove the residue with a  stripping pad dipped in mineral spirits or paint thinner.  Fine steel wool is recommended for varnishes but not paint.  Softened paint gets stuck in steel wool making it useless.  Wipe the surface clean with a rag dipped in Mineral Spirits. Saturate soiled rags with water to avoid spontaneous combustion. Properly dispose of soiled products.