Paint Stripping Techniques

If you’re not a professional decorator, or a chemist you might be a little concerned about selecting the right type of paint stripper

Most of them have strong, unpleasant odours, and you always run the risk of ruining the item you are trying to strip. It might be worth trying to learn a bit about the various types of chemical paint strippers available today.

Paint strippers come in several forms, each having their fors and againsts:

- Spray-on paint strippers are simple and fast to apply. They work well on very thin coats of paint, such as spray paint. Spray-on products are less effective than others because they don’t penetrate as deeply, nor do they stay in place as well. Spray-on paint strippers are not a good option for projects that will remain vertical, like walls and doors

- Brush on paint strippers are thicker than spray-on, meaning that they will penetrate deeper and faster. They can be applied with a bristle brush or a sponge. Don’t bother using an expensive brushes. The coat doesn’t need to be smooth or even. It’s best to use cheap brushes that can be thrown away after use.

- Water based paint strippers are the easiest and safest of the various types of chemical paint strippers. They can also be slightly more expensive, but you’re usually only talking about a few pounds more per litre. Water based paint strippers are usually thickened so they can be applied thickly and will stay put for long enough to do the job. They get into crevasses and detail work, and because they are water based they can be left in situ without causing any damage.

All chemical paint strippers work by penetrating the paint or varnish, then spreading out between the paint layer and the surface beneath. This causes the paint to lift from the object so it can be scraped off easily.

Check labels to be sure that the paint stripper you choose is suitable for the substrate being stripped and for what you’re trying to remove. It is always best to test a small area first.