Paint removers are aggressive chemicals that are used to strip various paints and coatings. They work by penetrating the layers of a coating and causing them to swell, which significantly weakens the coating’s adhesion to a specific surface. Industrial strength paint removers can be either caustic or solvent-based.  

Not sure what the difference is between these two?  

By the end of this blog post, you’ll not only understand the differences between these paint removers but also discover where you can buy a high-quality solvent-based paint remover in bulk.  

Caustic Paint Removers 

These chemicals are usually very high in pH and have sodium hydroxide as the active ingredient. Sodium hydroxide works by breaking down the chemicals in paints.  

Though effective for thick layers of oily paints, caustic removers have their downsides: 

• Hazardous 
• Must be handled with great care as they can cause serious skin burns 
• Only compatible with specific surfaces 

Solvent-Based Removers 

These chemicals are the most common type of industrial strength paint removers used by various industries and work slightly differently than caustics. They work by penetrating the layers of paint, causing them to swell and therefore weakening the adhesion of the paint to the surface.  

The active ingredient in most paint removers is dichloromethane, or methylene chloride, which is effective, but presents many health hazards, may be carcinogenic, and contributes to ozone depletion.  

Those searching for a safer eco-friendly option can use acetone instead, as it is a common effective replacement for hazardous paint removers due to its low toxicity and inexpensiveness.  

Another environmentally preferred option could be a specifically formulated product like Safe Strip, which replaces hazardous solvents like MEK and dichloromethane. Safe Strip has multiple benefits over traditional dangerous products: 

• Biodegradable 
• Recyclable 
• Non-flammable 
• Removes coatings and paints in one step 
• Effective on all coatings, even epoxy and polyurethane resins 
• Strong performance, comparable to MEK or dichloromethane 
• Low VOC emissions 
• No ozone-depleting components 

Looking for a Greener Alternative? 

Products like Safe Strip are becoming increasingly popular due to many companies choosing to cause less environmental harm and create a safer workplace. If you are looking to purchase Safe Strip for your industrial needs, reach out to Ecolink staff today!