6 Best Paint Stripper Reviews

The most essential part of any DIY job is the preparation. For instance, the condition of the surface, which is to be painted, will determine the final result of the finish. So, if the previous coat of paint is peeling, flaking, chalking or crackling, it will directly impact any new paint you will apply. we recommend it, to remove the previous coats of paint before applying new ones so that you can avoid the same problems.

If you have tried to strip paint in the past, you will have the idea that removing paint from large surface areas is almost as daunting as painting them. But if you’re able to find a good paint stripper, that is effective and fruitful, it can be fun to see the paint come out from the surface you are stripping without much effort.

You might be overwhelmed, by the sheer variety and prices of different paint strippers available in the market, to make that choice easy for you, we have put together a handy guide to what we believe are six of the best paint strippers.

Product	Price	Editor Rating
1). Wagner Spray Tech Wagner 0513040 PaintEater		(New!)
2). Citri-Strip Paint And Varnish Stripping Gel		Only 1 left in stock!last checked 12 july, 2020
3). Klean-Strip QXY24 Xylol Xylene		Out of Stock,  Last checked 8 July, 2020
4). Rust-Oleum Automotive 255448 Aircraft Remover
5). Franmar Chemical SOY-Gel Paint and Urethane Remover
6). SavogranKutzit Paint & Varnish Remover
7). Crown STRP Sure Paint Stripper Gel

6 Best Paint Strippers:

• Best Paint Strippers For Wood in 2020 (Reviews & Top 5 Picks)

1). Klean-Strip QXY24 Xylol Xylene

Klean-Strip is manufactured by cleaning specialist manufacturer WM Barr.  For more than 70 years the company has been devising and releasing cleaning products and in this case, this paint strippers is aimed to be more effective and faster than the rest.  This particular paint stripper features Xylene and is a great solvent-based paint stripper that has a whole multitude of different uses.

As stated by Klean-Strip, it is manufactured for commercial use in mind (or at least giving home-based customers a professional formula).  It can be effective to strip away years of old paint.  It can also be used to clean heavy-duty spillages, remove various types of adhesives, thin wood stains, wood varnishes, and oil-based paints all thanks to Xylene.  Although there are a few reviews on Amazon, considering it has scored either 4 or 5 stars, it is safe to say that customers are happy and satisfied with it.

Observing the relatively affordable price and keeping the Amazon customer rating in mind, this product is worth considering if you are looking for a solvent based paint stripper.

Pros

• Contains Xylene
• Affordable
• Versatile

Cons

• Highly toxic, so you need to wear protective gear (avoid wearing latex gloves, as it will eat through them eventually)

2). Rust-Oleum Automotive 255448 Aircraft Remover

Next on our list is the customer’s choice Automotive 255448 Aircraft Remover paint stripper from Rust-Oleum. It is a sensibly priced automobile and bike paint remover that can be applied using a paintbrush and takes around 10 to 15 minutes to work.  The product is intended for tougher, more intense paint removal jobs.

Due to the strong formula, you apparently have to be very careful using it and make sure your skin is covered to avoid irritation and burning.  The majority of reviewers give the impression of being very happy with this Rust-Oleum paint remover which also has a very affordable price tag, you should give this one real consideration.

It is specially designed for removing paint from all sorts of automobiles, but it can also be used in a various number of ways.  So whether you are looking to give your automobile a fresh coat of paint or feel like cleaning up those tires you intend to sell – this is probably a great investment.

Pros

• Very fast acting
• Non-flammable
• Great for removing even the toughest finishes

Cons

• Highly toxic, so requires care when using

3). Franmar Chemical SOY-Gel Paint and Urethane Remover

If you are trying to find a biochemical paint stripper that is 100% biodegradable and completely safe to use – this SOY-Gel Paint and Urethane Remover from Franmar Chemical could be just what you want. It is actually manufactured from soybeans and is ideal for use on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.  With just a single application of the solution, you can get rid of numerous old layers of urethane and paint.  The reason behind its effectiveness is, it has a considerably lower rate of evaporation compared to other strippers.

For more than 30 years Franmar Chemicals has been the front face of soybean-based products and has worked with the United Soybean Board to manufacture safer and more effective formulas.  Judging by the popularity of this spectacular paint stripper, with all the 5 stars customers rating on Amazon, it is secure to say that the Soy-Gel is up to the mark to the statement on its label it actually is ‘safe and effective’.

The only downside is that it is a little expensive than some of the other items on this list, but if you are looking for a non-toxic solution to remove paint from metal, brick, stone, concrete or wood surfaces – this is the right stripper for you.

Pros

• Made from soybeans
• Non-toxic
• Works effectively with just one application

Cons

• Expensive

4). Savogran Kutzit Paint & Varnish Remover

Next on our list is the well reputable company Savogran’s amazingly popular Kutzit Paint & Varnish Remover.  Savogran and the Kutzit line have been on the top of the list of the most favourite paint stripper for a long time by professionals and DIY enthusiasts.  When you look at the reviews section on Amazon for this paint stripper, you will notice that most of the customers have been using it for a good number of years or even decades.  It says something about the quality and effectiveness of a product if people are so loyal.

This particular paint stripper is best for horizontal masonry, metal, wood and other furniture surfaces. Despite the fact that it is incredibly flammable, it will not damage these surfaces and works fast even when used on detailed carvings.  Perfect for removing several layers of paint or varnish rapidly and efficiently and can be cleaned up fairly easily.

Although it is a little expensive, the reviews and the size of the container speak for themselves, so it’s a sound investment.  Just take a look at the various reviews shouting its praise.

Pros

• Fast-acting
• Won’t damage surfaces
• Works well even with finely and intricately detailed carving work
• Several colors for camouflage.

Cons

• More expensive compared to others on the market, so not suited to all budgets

5). Citri-Strip Paint And Varnish Stripping Gel

This paint stripping product that we are going to highlight is the Citri-Strip Paint and Varnish Stripping Gel, which is prominent as being a Best Seller on Amazon.  It is another non-toxic and biodegradable gel that will help remove many layers of even the most stubborn paint and varnish from doors, cabinets, furniture and a lot of other painted surfaces.

It is made in US for eco-friendly individuals, and is very fast acting, stays wet for as long as 24 hours.  Unlike many other paint strippers which consist of toxic and flammable ingredients, this paint and varnish stripper is absolutely safe for indoor use.   So whether you are looking to use it commercially or just around your home for DIY, this is a very successful product.

So, if you need a popular, reputable and cost-effective paint and varnish stripper that is not going to pose health risks, you should give sober thought to investing in Citri-Strip Paint and Varnish Stripping Gel.

Pros

• 100% biodegradable and contains no-caustic ingredients
• Safe for use indoors and outdoors
• Fast acting and stays wet for up to 24 hours

Cons

• Couldn’t really find any

6). Crown STRP Sure Paint Stripper Gel

Last on our list is one the best paint stripper is Crown STRP sure paint stripper Gel by Crown Paints. It is famous among the customers for best grasp on vertical surfaces. Though it’s extremely effective on stubborn and multiple layers of paint still it’s consist of Biodegradable formula which doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals such as Methylene Chloride or NMP.

As its name speaks for its self, it will surely work wonders not only on a single surface but it is targeted to work on multiple surfaces such as wood, metal, masonry and marine. It is highly suitable for DIY workers due to its property to work amazingly effective to remove paint, varnish, Lacquer and Epoxy.

It may sound slow, as it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals but, trust us it’s not. It starts working quite quickly, just after 2 hours of application.

After noting many impressive features of this product you may think that it will be expensive but It’s actually pocket-friendly.

Pros

• Biodegradable formula without any harmful chemicals.
• Starts working in 2 hours only
• Pocket-friendly

Cons

• Not noted yet

Buyer’s Guide:

If you’re trying to find something to clean your brushes we highly recommend taking a look at Vinegar as a cleaning product instead of powerful paint strippers. It can work wonders when it comes to cleaning brushes, scrapers and tools also, so we recommend giving it a try before dunking your expensive brushes in a tub of paint stripping acid.

Which Type Is Ideal For You?

There are three main types of paint strippers available in the market at the moment.  Which are

1. Solvent Paint Strippers
2. Caustic Paint Strippers
3. Biochemical Paint Strippers

Solvent Paint Strippers

Solvent paint strippers work by either softening or dissolving the existing bond between the paint film and substrate.  After application, the paint coat starts to bubble up and is therefore easy to remove.

While Methylene Chloride is the choice of tradesmen and DIY enthusiasts, the alternatives are also available, such as Ketone, Acetone, and Toluene.  Despite the fact that, solvent paint strippers are very effective, but the health risks posed by their usage makes them more dangerous to use as compare to caustic strippers.

Caustic Paint Strippers

Water-based Caustic paint strippers regularly have a pH of around 13 to 14 and contain the active ingredient of lye.  It is normally caustic soda, such as sodium hydroxide or potash which is potassium hydroxide.

After the paint stripper is applied, the components in the paint begin to react with the lye, making it soapy and lose the paint; it becomes easy to remove from the surface.  Caustic strippers are not practically as dangerous to use as solvent varieties still, they have been identified to cause skin burns and lung irritation.

Biochemical Paint Strippers

As the name speaks for its self, biochemical strippers contain solvents derived from plants.  Depending on the specific brand or formula, the ingredients may include soy oil, citric acid, lactic acid (from corn sugar), dimethylsulfoxide (from wood pulp) or terpenes (from citrus or pine).  Skin irritation is a noteworthy risk from using these types of solvents.

For your convince we will be focusing on the best six paint strippers you can easily buy, it is worth noting some are alternatives methods, to the above strippers.  These alternatives methods include

• Heat – In the form of a low-intensity like infrared heating system, a heat gun or torch.
• Sanding –Either sanding by hand or using a power sander.
• Power Washing – Particularly good for removing paint on exterior walls.

Handy Tips For Using Paint Strippers

• Always read the instruction, to make sure you’re using paint stripper correctly.
• Wear the proper safety wear, such as glasses, protective gloves, and respirators in case you chose using solvents.
• Make sure that the area you are working in is well-ventilated so that the fumes can escape easily.
• Make sure to use the right applicator for the paint stripper you decided to use, based on its consistency and the surface on which it is going to be applied.
• Give the paint stripper sufficient time to work properly.
• Don’t forget to wash and neutralize the surface after removing the old coats of paint, according to the instructions.  Then give the surface sufficient time to dry before you apply a new paint on it.