Neutral paint strippers

Neutral paint strippers include halogen-free organic solvents (e.g., glycols, glycol ethers, l-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone) which are generally used at 20-40°C. In contrast to the alkaline paint removers, neutral paint strippers result in purely physical dissolution of the paint from the substrate. Their use is therefore restricted to removing physically drying paints. 

Annex is too soft even when mixed with 5% Starblast and requires much more air pressure than these cleaning units can accommodate. An incompletely eleaned surface resulted from using Armex. The surface profile of the surfaces were 0.5 mil. Possibly the acid-neutralizing (basic) properties of sodium biearbonate could effectively neutralize acidic chemical paint strippers when mixed with a medium (sueh as Starblast) and serve as a post-eleaning/ neutralizing step. 

Noncaustic strippers may not be effective if there are a number of layers of paint to be removed, so they should be tested on a small spot before being used on a larger area. Caustic strippers are best for metal surfaces because they may leave leaded residues on porous surfaces, such as wood. Careful attention should be paid to neutralizing the chemical and removing any residue so that you are not removing one toxic substance and replacing it with another potential hazard. 

Individual pieces of woodwork, spindles, molding, etc., can be removed and dipped into a dip tank of paint remover for thorough removal. The pieces should be neutralized, according to the directions for the particular stripper, and immediately repainted or otherwise sealed. A COLD TANK is preferable to a HOT TANK, which uses lye and can be more destructive to old and dried pieces that are stripped. Lead may remain in the grain of the wood. The use of particularly caustic strippers tends to leave potentially hazardous levels of lead on the surface of stripped wood. 

Strippers vary by toxicity, ease of application and cleanup, and price. Caustic strippers must be well neutralized after use. The surface may appear to be adequately neutralized but still contain enough caustic to prevent paint (primer or encap-sulant) from sticking well. Noncaustic strippers can be more expensive. Stripping may generate waste classified as toxic and require precautions for disposal. 

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