How to Use Paint Stripper: Tips and Techniques for Effective Stripping  

Paint strippers or paint removers are chemical products that separate paint from surfaces. These chemical products are well-sought-after when redoing various exterior and interior spaces. They are solutions that no industry can do without. This blog post will discuss the different types of strippers and several techniques you can use when removing paint. 

Different Types of Strippers  

Several types of paint strippers are on the market. Two of the most common types of paint removers are solvent-based strippers and caustic-based strippers. 

Most paint removers are solvent-based. The solvents in the stripper can dissolve the bond between wooden surfaces and paint. Be aware that they dissolve other materials, so you must be careful when using solvent-based products. Many solvents are also known to cause some health issues for humans, such as skin or eye irritation. Each dissolving chemical is unique, so remember to check safety data sheets for specific products before utilizing them.  

Paint strippers that are caustic-based loosen paint coatings from the painted surface. Caustic alkalis are not as popular, as they can darken wooden surfaces and sometimes cause wood fibers to swell. These alkalis are also known to have adverse effects on human health. They can cause severe burns on the skin and eyes. And can be incredibly toxic if ingested.  

Tips and Techniques

While you can use a heat gun or a scraper to remove paint, many prefer using chemical paint strippers. Some tips you should keep in mind when using a paint stripper include:  

  • Wear personal protective equipment (such as chemical-resistant gloves)  
  • Read the instructions and precautions provided by the product manufacturer before starting  
  • Avoid getting any chemicals on your skin or eyes  
  • Keep the ventilation lower if done indoors to prevent the spread of chemicals to other rooms or areas of the building  
  • Dispose of each stripper properly according to its instructions  

Interested in Buying Paint Stripper?  

Ecolink is here to provide you with this and more! We are proud to provide high-quality chemicals for new and returning customers. Check out our shop to see what products we have in stock. Contact our expert team if you have questions about our products and practices. We are here to help your business in all things chemistry today! 

Lead Paint Removal: Safe Practices and Industrial Solutions  

Lead-based paint has been a topic of discussion for many years due to its negative effect on human health. These effects on human health can comprise both: the body and mind. As a result, companies have been making it more of a priority to remove lead-based paint. This blog post will focus on how lead affects human health and how.  

Health Concerns of Lead Paint  

Lead is a dangerous substance for humans. People can be exposed to lead when they inhale lead dust or swallow items containing lead. Adults exposed to the dangerous substance can suffer from various health problems:  

  • High blood pressure  
  • Kidney damage  
  • Fertility problems  
  • Headaches  
  • Dizziness  
  • Fatigue  
  • Memory loss  
  • Decreased motor skills  

Children are not safe from the chemical’s harmful effects. Children who contract lead poisoning can showcase permanent problems related to various aspects of their lives:  

  • Health  
  • Learning  
  • Behavior  

Safe Practices  

There are several safety procedures you should follow when working to remove lead-based paint.   

One major step when removing the paint is to control the lead dust created in the workspace. Dampening the area can assist you in accomplishing this feat. If you are working in an interior room, do not forget to turn off forced-air heating and air conditioning to prevent the dust particles from traveling to other rooms. While controlling the lead particles is an essential and brilliant start, protecting yourself is just as vital. Wearing correct personal protective equipment is also essential when dealing with dangerous chemicals. Remember to clean your area thoroughly after the paint removal to ensure no lead is left behind.  

Industrial Solutions  

A great solution to removing lead-based paint is using industrial or commercial paint strippers. While there is a wide variety of paint strippers on the market, remember to avoid using products that contain methylene chloride. Methylene chloride, or dichloromethane, is considered an unnecessary risk by the EPA due to its effect on human health. Ecolink has multiple paint strippers in our shop that you should consider for your lead paint removal.   

Want to Buy Paint Strippers?  

Ecolink is here to provide you with these and more! Our company has been providing customers with high-quality products for over thirty years. We supply eco-conscious and in-bulk chemical solutions for all of your industrial needs! Contact us today if you have any questions regarding our products or would like some assistance in choosing the best chemical for you! We are here to help!
 

Methylene Chloride Banned: Understanding the Impact on Industry

The usage of methylene chloride, or dichloromethane (DCM) in products is becoming a fairly popular topic in the industrial world. The EPA proposed a new rule regarding dichloromethane under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in May 2023. EPA’s rule (when finalized) would prohibit most industrial uses of DCM. The EPA has determined methylene chloride to be an unreasonable risk and a hazard to human health. In this blog, we will explain the dangers of DCM and suggest a solution that can be a replacement.  

Health Hazards of Methylene Chloride   

Dichloromethane, or CH2Cl2, is a colorless liquid utilized in many industries that can cause various health problems:  

  • Drowsiness   
  • Numbness   
  • Nausea   
  • Dizziness   
  • Tingling limbs   
  • Harmed eyes  
  • Damaged skin,  
  • Damaged liver  
  • Harmed heart   
  • Cancer   

Safe Strip   

If you need a paint and coating remover that is more environmentally friendly, Safe Strip is the product for you!   

Safe Strip effectively replaces hazardous solvents typically used for paint removal and paint cleanup, such as methylene chloride and more. This remover has a lower Inhalation Hazard Index than Meth, so it is safer to utilize in industrial and commercial settings. Other benefits of Safe Strip include the following:   

  • Biodegradable   
  • Non-flammable   
  • Non-ozone depleting   
  • Effective on a wide variety of cured and uncured coatings   
  • One-step coatings removal   
  • Low VOC emissions in use   

The chemical formula may be used in an immersion tank or as a brush-on and rinse-off solvent.   

Interested in Purchasing Methylene Chloride Free Products?   

Look no further than Ecolink! We have over thirty years of experience in supplying bulk chemicals for new and returning customers. We provide eco-conscious and high-quality solutions for all your industrial needs. We also supply knowledgeable blogs such as this one to help broaden your knowledge of chemistry and how to utilize chemical solutions properly. If you would like to see the products that we have to offer, you can begin to browse through them here. If you would prefer to speak with a member of our staff, you can reach out to them here. Please do not hesitate to contact us today! 

Non-Methylene Chloride Paint Remover: Safe and Effective Stripping  

Methylene chloride was once one of the main components in most paint removers. However, ever since November 2019, a ban was put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The ban prohibited the manufacturing and importing of all methylene chloride paint strippers. This blog post will discuss the benefits of a non-methylene chloride paint remover.   

What are the benefits to a non methylene chloride paint remover?  

The main benefit of a non-methylene chloride paint remover is that it will not have hazardous effects on human health. Methylene chloride is a major health risk; even in small amounts. The main side effects that come along with exposure to methylene chloride are:  

  • Drowsiness  
  • Dizziness  
  • Numb/Tingly Limbs  
  • Nausea  
  • Cancer  
  • Loss of Consciousness  
  • Death  

What are the better options?  

Better options for paint removers that do not contain methylene chloride are:  

  • Acetone  
  • Glycol Ether  
  • Triethyl Phosphate  
  • Benzyl Alcohol  
  • Formic Acid  
  • N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP)  

Although these chemicals do have their hazards; most of them do not cause much harm as methylene chloride can. These chemicals are not perfectly safe, but they are the safer options.   

One example of a non-methylene chloride paint remover that has results comparable to those made from methylene chloride is sold by us here at Ecolink. This product is called SAFE STRIP.   

SAFE STRIP is an environmentally friendly paint solvent made mostly from NMP. NMP is known to cause reproductive harm in California; however, that is one of the only harms this chemical can cause. You can use SAFE STRIP like any other paint remover and effectively replace products containing methylene chloride and other chemicals. This product comes with several benefits: 

  • Biodegradable  
  • Non-flammable  
  • Low VOC emissions  
  • One-step coating removal  
  • A performance like MEK and methylene chloride  
  • Non-ozone depleting

Looking for more alternatives to methylene chloride?  

Ecolink is here to help your industry with this and more! We offer multiple safer alternatives to most hazardous solvents and cleaning products. These alternatives have been supplied to industries like yours for over thirty years and are of high quality. If you would like to browse through our products, then click here! If you need any help finding more information about one of our products, you can contact one of our expert chemists here. Our chemists will help answer any questions that you may have today! 

Methylene Chloride Replacement: Safer Alternatives and Solutions  

Methylene chloride is a harmful and colorless liquid known to do serious- harm. It has multiple uses but also possesses a strong solvency power. And though it is beneficial for this, there are much safer alternatives you can utilize. This blog will discuss how to choose a safer methylene chloride replacement.  

What are the harmful effects of methylene chloride?  

Methylene chloride is used in various industries often, such as paint cleaning and manufacturing. However, there is a multitude of side effects that come with exposure to methylene chloride:  

  • Drowsiness  
  • Dizziness  
  • Numb/Tingly Limbs  
  • Nausea  
  • Risk of cancer  
  • Loss of Consciousness  
  • Death  

The effects of methylene chloride depend on several factors. Two factors are the dosage and what the product is for.   

Some of the applications for methylene chloride that do workers the most harm include:  

  • Bathtub refinishing  
  • Paint stripping  
  • Metal cleaning and degreasing  
  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturing  

What is a good methylene chloride replacement?  

Here at Ecolink, we offer one of the best methylene chloride replacements on the market in our product SAFE STRIP 

SAFE STRIP is a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative paint and resin solvent. This product is a great replacement for methylene chloride and other harmful solvents. It also has a lower Inhalation Hazard Index than both Meth and MEK.  

SAFE STRIP also has a variety of applications. It is an effective dissolvent for all coatings, such as epoxy and polyurethane resins. This product can also be brought to a temperature of 140 F and used multiple times.   

The benefits of using SAFE STRIP as a replacement are:  

  • Biodegradable  
  • Non-flammable  
  • Low VOC emissions  
  • One-step coating removal  
  • Performance equivalent to MEK and methylene chloride   
  • Non-zone depleting  

Looking for more methylene chloride replacement options?  

We here at Ecolink strive to offer our customers safe and eco-conscious cleaning product options. We have been dedicated to supplying industries like yours for over three decades and provide more than chemical solutions. If you would like to browse through our products, you can do so here. If you would prefer to speak with a member of our knowledgeable staff, we can be found here. Please do not hesitate to contact us today; we are just a click away from helping your industry thrive!