Paint and varnish removers

Presented by: Sico

Stripping involves removing old layers of paint and varnish. Two stripping processes can be applied indoors. One is physical and consists of scraping or burning. The other is chemical.
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Stripping a Surface Using a Liquid or Semi-Gel Chemical Remover
Stripping a Surface Using a Gel Type Chemical Remover
Stripping Exterior Surfaces that are Stained and in Poor Condition (Biodegradable Exterior Remover)
Stripping wood surface with a heat gun
Safety and First Aid
Scraping works on flat surfaces. However, it requires much effort and could mar such surfaces. Burning is mainly applied outdoors and could scorch surfaces or cause them to ignite. This system should not be used with wood to be varnished, because it can darken sections of wood that remain visible under transparent coats of varnish.

Chemical products provide the easiest method. They are the most certain and most effective way to strip off old coats of paint and varnish from any surface without damage. These products may be applied on wood, masonry, metal, glass and ceramics.
On the market today, you will find liquid removers as well as those in semi-gel and gel form. The first two types are used for similar applications and are fast acting (between 5 and 10 minutes). Gel removers are just as effective but take longer to act (from 15 to 45 minutes). The texture of gel type removers provides better adhesion on vertical surfaces.

These removers, though they are intended for indoor use (on pieces of furniture for example), may also be used on small exterior surfaces (window frames, doorsills, etc.). When applied outdoors however, users must be careful around adjacent surfaces that they do not wish to treat (i.e. vinyl surfaces and surrounding vegetation, etc.), both during product application and the rinsing process.
For large exterior surfaces that are stained and in poor condition (whose finishing is easily removed), you can use a biodegradable remover for exterior use. This type of remover, though not as powerful as previously mentioned products, is easier to apply over large surfaces and may be rinsed off using a pressure hose without causing damage to the environment. It is ideal for fences, patios and decks.

For large exterior surfaces that are painted or stained but still in good condition, the use of gel or semi-gel removers is not recommended and biodegradable removers will not be strong enough to do the job. These surfaces must be scraped and sanded. There are power tools designed for this type of work.

Finally, there are chemical products on the market that can restore the natural beauty of exterior wood that has been exposed to the elements (greying wood) in order to bring back its original look and prepare the surface for painting or staining. These products are not called removers or strippers; they are called wood "restorers".
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