Commercial Paint Removers - Commercial paint removers are chemical products used to strip paint, varnish, or other coatings from surfaces. They vary widely in their formulations, effectiveness, application methods, and safety considerations. Here’s a comparison of different types of commercial paint removers: 1. Solvent-Based Paint Removers - Active Ingredients: Typically contain methylene chloride (dichloromethane), acetone, toluene, or other strong solvents. - Effectiveness: Very effective at removing multiple layers of paint, varnish, and coatings from various surfaces, including wood, metal, and masonry. - Speed: Works quickly, often within minutes to hours. - Applications: Suitable for heavy-duty stripping jobs where fast action is needed. - Safety Considerations: Highly toxic; requires proper ventilation, protective gear (gloves, masks), and caution to avoid skin contact or inhalation. Methylene chloride has been banned in some regions due to health risks. - Environmental Impact: Generates hazardous waste; not environmentally friendly.