DeTomaso Mailing List: February 2001, Message #37

A while back on the forum, there was an inquiry if anyone had tried this paint remover.  It's ecologically safe? (how about better) and supposedly does just as good a job as Methylene Chloride type strippers.  Well here is the truth.

I ordered 1 aerosol can of the stripper to try. Shipping cost me as much as the product (6.95 per can 14.95 to my door).  I tried it on 2 small items: headlight rings for a Sunbeam Alpine.  These items had about 3 coats of paint, and 1 coat of ruddy brown primer (lacquer).

Results: I did this in my basement, the stripper / material /air needs to be at least 55 degrees to start the process.  Secondly, it takes 45 minutes for the stripper to penetrate and do its work.  You apply 1 coat, then 15 minutes later apply a second, heavier coat.  On my samples, it appeared to do its damage in about 30 minutes (70 degrees).  It stripped about 2 layers of paint, and didn't even budge the primer.  A second try produced the same results, the primer didn't budge!  

Pro's:  If you buy the brush on product, the smell / floaters would be nearly nothing.  It can be used inside (though anything like this is a risk) without killing the family pet (or kid), it washes off/neutralizes easily with water, and stripped paint OK (I am going to try it on the sunbeam door jam next)

Con: Took a long time, even where there was only 1 layer of paint, They say it goes farther than old style removers, I think it is about equal, shipping charge was horrendous, didn't seam to faze the primmer (so I'll be using sand paper, or the harsh stuff for it).

Will I buy it again?  Maybe, I'll see how it does on the door jam, also in small quantities, I can use it in the house during the winter.

Kenny