Best Overall
Dumond Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover
Best Bang for the Buck
Max Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper
Best Eco-Friendly
Blue Bear 605Pro Multipurpose Coatings Remover
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Paint prep is a necessary but sometimes tedious step . Properly prepping a surface forpaintingcan ensure a smooth finished project . On a piece of furniture with only a few isolated peeling patch , a lilliputian scrape and sanding may be adequate prior to priming and repainting . But for a project that has already been paint several time — and in all likelihood shows far-flung chipping , cracking , or blistering — the live finish must be removed totally before the project can be continued .
This can be done manually with a hand sander and a whole lot of articulatio cubiti grease ( not an selection with lead - based paint ) or with apaint stripper well , which will take care of the job at mitt in far less fourth dimension and with far less effort .
Before setting out to buy a paint stripper , know that not all are suitable for all types of paint and surface . Some include harsh chemicals that require special safety machine precautions . To help oneself clear up any confusedness and narrow the options , we shit for , test , and reviewed several paint strippers for a miscellanea of habit . We obtain that theDumond Smart Strip Advanced Paint Removercame out on top thanks to its low - odor formula that ’s suitable for a wide range of surface . Keep reading to learn more about our shopping priorities , how these products performed in our exam , and why we consider them to be among the best rouge strippers available .
Our Top Picks
We researched and tested some of the skillful rouge exotic dancer on the market place . The intersection below remove paint apace and work out on a change of different coatings and materials . Read on to incur out how they performed .
Our rating : Application5/5 ; Performance4.5/5 ; Odor5/5 ; Effectiveness5/5 ; Value5/5
The normal of this biodegradable paint stripper , which is detached of methylene chloride and NMP , imparts no tight fumes as it removes key ( including lead - based),varnish , and urethane from Sir Henry Joseph Wood , metal , Freemasonry , and other surfaces , indoors and out .
The biodegradable paint remover can be implement by coppice , curler , or nebuliser . It ’s successful at stripping new and decennium - old paint coats from Edward Durell Stone , metallic element , and other paint aerofoil , all with ease .
Dumond Smart Strip had the lowest odor of all the mathematical product we test , which makes it a better choice for indoor projects . The thick consistency of the product made it sluttish to use a ⅛-inch - thick coating , which scabbed over more or less during the extended working time , but it did n’t dry out . The 4- to 24 - hr working range meant it took a bit longer to loose the paint good compare to some of the other product , but given adequate time it cleaned as well as any of the others . We awarded it better overall because of its low smell , eco - friendly ingredients , and effectiveness for a broad range of control surface and coatings .
What our tester says:“Working with this pigment stripper was well-heeled thanks to its low - odour . It was nice to do work on my project without strong smells . ” — Mark Wolfe , Bob Vila Product Tester and Staff Writer
Get the Dumond paint stripper atAmazonorAce Hardware(5 - Imperial gallon sizing ) .
Our Ratings : Application5/5 ; Performance3.5/5 ; Odor4/5 ; Effectiveness3.5/5 ; Value4/5
Low - VOC water - soluble Max Strip paint and varnish exotic dancer contains no methylene chloride or NMP . The no - dripping gelatin formula sprays , brushes , or turn over on easy with less plenty than regular liquified chemical paint stripper . It take away most types of paint and varnish from most porous and nonporous open .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
This Max Strip stripper costs less per ounce than any of the other intersection we test . In our trial on wood , metallic element , and concrete surfaces , it make effectively . However , applications went on lightly because of the relatively thin consistency , so we had to cover the body of work with plastic after each program to keep the stripteaser from drying out . Also , the slender app meant it was necessary to recapitulate the diligence a second sentence on some region with multiple layers of paint , but those instances were minimal . For casual use , this product could make a dependable monetary value - effective pick , but it may not be idealistic for threatening - duty diligence .
Get the Max Strip varnish and paint stripper atAmazon , Ace Hardware , Lowe ’s , orThe Home Depot .
Our Ratings : Application5/5 ; Performance4/5 ; Odor3.5/5 ; Effectiveness4/5 ; Value5/5
Photo: Debbie Wolfe Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Those who thought that citrus - based products were the only unripe paint stemmer will be enjoyably surprised with Blue Bear 605Pro . This powerful mathematical product is made from soya bean - based dissolver and is 100 percent biodegradable . It applies easy with a built - in squirt applier . The deep consistency micturate it simple to unfold with a squeegee , brush , or roller , and it hold fast peculiarly well on vertical open .
In our tests , Blue Bear 605Pro stripped pigment especially well with a single coating , including multilayered paint . The consistency was thick , which made it easygoing to implement a generous layer yet fluid enough to interpenetrate wood - trimness details and scar concrete . The downside of the extra - thick consistency was that it hand the scraped paint a gooey texture , which was a bit more messy to clean than the thin product . The odor was not just pleasant but also not overpowering . We discover it to be extremely good and eco - favorable .
Get the Blue Bear key stripper atAmazonorFranmar .
Photo: amazon
Fastest-Working
This paint stripper starts working just 30 minutes after software , making it one of the fast agency of stripping paint from Sir Henry Joseph Wood , adhesive plaster , concrete , brick , stone , and masonry . It removes up to three layers of water- or oil - based paint and varnish and is apply with a sprayer , brush , or roller .
In accession to being a tight - acting product , Sunnyside hi - speeding ready strip also produces blue VOCs and use no methylene group chloride or other abrasive chemical , making it environmentally safe and leaving only a pleasant citrus aroma . It ’s available in ½-gallon container , which is enough to cover about 20 square feet , and quart - size spray bottleful .
The mental testing task we treated with Ready Strip were consistently ready for key removal in less than an hour . It did a great task of lifting individual coats of paint but typically left residue behind when it come to multilayered pigment . After a second app and some piece of work with a paint - removal pad , the rest came off well enough . The grain was moderately thick , so upright surfaces were no problem . The odor was temperate and not completely unpleasant . This could be another good option for indoor projects .
Photo: amazon
Get the Sunnyside paint striptease atAmazon , The Home Depot(32 ounces),Max Warehouse , orHardwareAndTools.com .
Best for Wood
D Super Remover New Generation Stripper
Our military rating : Application5/5 ; Performance5/5 ; Odor1/5 ; Effectiveness5/5 ; Value4/5
This rouge stripper ’s ability to remove some of the most commonly used coatings for wood , include oil- and water - based blusher , epoxies , varnishes , shellacs , and lacquer , makes it an idealistic blusher striptease artist for Sir Henry Wood . This formula does not admit methylene chloride or NMP , which is safe for the user and the surround while also being easy on woods . This piddle it an ideal option for stripping antique article of furniture . Be certain to use protective equipment for good handling , including long sleeves , baseball glove , and goggles .
It begins stripping pigment just 15 minutes after app and will remove up to five layers . lend oneself by pour the stripteaser onto the surface and use a scraper to remove . D Super Remover stripper is available in 1 - quart or 1 - gallon commode .
Photo: amazon
For elaborate woodworking , a chemical solvent like D Super Remover is sometimes best because it pass deep into design work , quickly removes the finish , and wo n’t mumble up the aerofoil . It worked tight enough in our test that the slight stratum of dissolver did n’t have a chance to dry out . We were able to grate single - layer paint less than a ½ hour after applications programme . With multilayer paint , it worked in just over 1 hour . The smell is acute , so verify the piece of work sphere has excellent ventilation before opening the can .
Get the D Super Remover paint stripper atAmazon .
Best for Metal
Max Strip All-Purpose Remover
Our Ratings : Application5/5 ; Performance4/5 ; Odor2/5 ; Effectiveness4/5 ; Value4/5
The spray - bottle packaging and tight - acting formula of this blusher stripper from Max Strip make it a good paint stripper for metal . The stripper spray on , making it ideal for move out paint from cars and other Earth’s surface that may be fray by using a encounter or scraper . The stripper also work quickly — in about 15 moment — and is in a gel form , making it idealistic for cling to slick metal airfoil .
Max Strip all function remover does not bring out abrasive fumes or odors and rinse away with water . In improver to paint , Max Strip also conveniently removes other materials that often end up on a car , including tree sap , stumper residue , and gum . It comes in 22 - ounce bottleful .
Photo: amazon
In our surface trial run , Max Strip was soft to apply . It cleave well to vertical surface and penetrate textured aerofoil . The consistence was fairly thick , but we had no difficulty with it flow through the trigger atomizer . The ware emitted a slightly unpleasant odor , but it was n’t overpowering . lick time varied from approximately a half hour for a single paint layer to about 3 hours ( wrapped in charge plate to avoid evaporation ) for multilayer removal . The trigger atomizer and smaller package make this a skilful choice for belittled projects or household cleanup job .
Get the Max Strip all - purpose paint stripper atAmazon , Lowe’s , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Best for Concrete
Motsenbocker’s Lift Off Spray Paint Remover
Our Ratings : Application5/5 ; Performance4/5 ; Odor4/5 ; Effectiveness4/5 ; Value4/5
Removing key that ’s fleece into the porous airfoil of Freemasonry can be a challenge . This paint remover works to break the molecular bonds in paint , making it capable of lifting atomiser paint , aerosol pigment , enamel , and other key eccentric from porous concrete .
Unlike other stripper that liquefy paint , this formula breaks it into little solid slice that can be wash out of porous materials . In addition to concrete , it also work on stucco , fibreglass , brick , alloy , and vinyl group . It produces broken VOCs and uses no harsh chemicals . Motsenbocker ’s follow in a 22 - ounce sprayer bottle .
Photo: amazon
The quick - to - atomizer bottle and eco - friendly formula make Lift Off an easy alternative for cleaning up outside spaces like spills or graffiti on sidewalks , driveway , and hold back wall . We found it comfortable enough to apply a thick , even coating , which stuck well on perpendicular surfaces . It cleaned up our cellar floor trial area with two applications and 3 - bit workings times and only produced a tenuous odor . We did not test outdoors in unmediated sunshine , which may command comprehend treated areas to keep the product from dry .
Get the Motsenbocker ’s pigment stripper atAmazon , Ace Hardware , orWalmart .
Also Consider
Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel
Our valuation : Application5/5 ; Performance4/5 ; Odor5/5 ; Effectiveness4/5 ; Value5/5
formulate with citrus terpene and NMP , this indoor - outdoor rouge and varnish striptease artist with a citrus tree scent earns high kudos from DIYers who return to the product again and again for a unnumerable variety of repair and improvement project . The stripper fail on with a gel - comparable body and work to loosen multiple layer of water- or crude oil - based paint , varnish , shellac , or epoxy resin from forest , metal , or Freemasonry in less than a half minute — without corroding the paint surface .
Citristrip worked well in all three of our trial run on woodwind instrument , metal , and concrete . The gel formula was easy to enforce with a pigment brush and stuck well to vertical surfaces . It was a minute thicker in viscosity than most of the others , which serve to forbid drying , but it made the cleanup spot a scrap mussy . look time was similar to the other eco - friendly products , at about 1½ hours for a unmarried layer of blusher , and 2½ hours for multiple layer . The orangish - ish odor was pleasant , and it ’s another dependable pick for interior workplace . take down that it works easily when given an elongated working time .
Photo: amazon
Get the Citristrip pigment stripper atAmazon , Lowe’s , The Home Depot , orRockler .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Paint Strippers
In the summons of source and vetting paint peeler for this article , we review more than 50 paint strippers . We had several precedence . The product we recommend do not let in get laid carcinogens or present other potentially serious wellness risks when used as directed . Using them does not require an excessive amount of investiture in particular applicators or safety train . And they forge when used consort to the label directions .
To teach how each of these paint strippers do , we spent 20 hours testing them on Natalie Wood , metallic element , and concrete surface . We also used the passion - gunman and key - scraper method as a point of comparison . For the wood test , we taped off 12 feet of old windowpane casing into equal section , one for each of the strippers . For the concrete run , we marked out nine 12 - inch squares on a basement floor . similarly , we designated adequate - size sections of corrugated - metal roof sheets for the metal test .
Before Buying a Paint Stripper
Is it really necessary to use a liquidity or gel blusher stripper ? It reckon on the project . Paint stripper contact into the crevices of ornatetrim and moldingto remove blusher where scrapers and sandpaper struggle . Strippers also concentrate or eliminate dust and debris induce by sandpaper and scraping . But for flat surfaces , skip the striptease could be the unspoiled selection .
professional often take out one-time paint from surface like Natalie Wood siding or furniture with just a paint scraper or harsh sandpaper . For tough , resistant conclusion like varnish or superimposed blusher , pretreating with aheat gunor steamer relax the conclusion before scrape .
When window locks , doorway hinges , or hand tools are marred with key , thrifty DIYers reclaim them with the help of a slow cooker . To do this , place the hardware in the pot , cover with water , add a few drop of liquid looker soap , and permit it cook on high for 6 to 8 hours . get rid of the red-hot token from the cooker with plastic tongs to stave off scratching them , and the old key will peel right off .
Photo: amazon
What to Consider When Choosing a Paint Stripper
When looking for a pigment stemmer , it ’s important for shoppers to consider a few factor , let in the character of paint striptease artist , the materials that it works with , and how safe it is to use . Just ahead is more information about these factors and other significant characteristic of paint strippers .
Type
There are four independent type of paint stemmer that function in unique ways and contain varying levels of VOC mental object .
VOCs
Like the paint , varnishes , and lacquers they remove , paint stripper can put off volatile organic compounds ( VOCs ) that can be harmful to suspire in and get nozzle , throat , and middle irritation . While VOCs are less of a concern when working outdoors , they can be harmful when working indoors , peculiarly if there is limited respiration .
Strippers with high-pitched VOCs typically use harsh chemicals in their formulas . Shoppers who are project to work on indoors will want to search for a paint stripper that does not use chemical ( such as methylene chloride ) that produce high VOCs .
Surface Material
Different types of paint strippers perform well on certain surfaces . Shoppers will want to choose the paint stripper that ’s well suited for the intended control surface lotion :
Safety
While some key strippers are less hazardous than others , all types must be applied while using protective equipment . Be certain to apply the following protective gear when handling whichever character is chosen :
shopper who are stripping old paint in house establish pre-1978 will need to firsttest with a lead rouge mental test outfit . If the test is positive , it ’s important to take a paint striptease artist labeled for use on lead rouge ( these exotic dancer may fall into any of the four family of paint striptease above and unremarkably derive in a paste or gel variety to trap lead particles and keep them from going airborne ) .
Application
When applying key striptease artist , drug user will need to duck a disposable paint brush into the product to apply it in the thickness recommended on the bundle instructions . The thicket is strike in short strokes in a individual direction ( on wood , it ’s moved in the direction of the grain ) . If the Cartesian product comes with laminate paper squares for easier paint removal , the squares are adhered to the soaked stripper immediately after applications programme .
If the pigment stemmer necessitate a neutralizing step , it ’s important to expend the root recommended on the package ( or a solution of equal part acetum and water ) , then quiz the pH of the stripped aerofoil with pH paper to guarantee it has a pH of 7 . For rouge exotic dancer that do n’t involve neutralizing , substance abuser will demand to wash the stripped surface with the cleanser recommend on the packaging ( normally plain water supply or mineral spirits ) .
Tips for Working With Paint Remover
In add-on to program tips for the unlike character listed above , users will want to adopt these practices for safe and in effect use of any pigment stripteaser :
FAQs
If you have query about how to use pigment stripper or dispose of it when you ’re done , then read on for solvent to these and other normally asked questions about these ware .
Paint stripper will not ruin clothes . In fact , some paint striptease can be used to get rid of blusher from wearable .
While paint striptease does not have an expiry date , it ’s a good idea to keep it tightly sealed when not in consumption to prevent contaminants from getting into the container . Store it in a juiceless location protected from extreme temperature .
Photo: amazon
TheSunnyside paint stripperis one of the quickest - acting paint strippers on the market , removing pigment in as little as 30 minutes .
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a writer with an extensive screen background in the green industry and an greedy DIYer who live in a 50 - year - erstwhile home . When he is n’t writing , he spends his metre upgrading , repairing , and replace anything and everything in his habitation , pace , and garden . He tests and writes reviews about hand dick , lawn care and abode repair products , and outdoor - living goodness .
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