Removing layers of metal, paint and wood from any surface is easier if you use a specific product such as a stripper or solvent. It is useful to know What are the types of strippers that exist on the market?, since in addition to saving time and money, it takes less effort to use a product adapted to the surface you want to clean.
Below we will detail the varieties of strippers that are for sale, as well as their properties, characteristics and advantages of use.
Types of paint stripper depending on the surface to be cleaned: How many are there on the market?
Most of the strippers that are marketed They are chemical products that are classified according to the type of surface to be treated. So we have the following:
- Paint stripper.
- Metal stripper.
- Wood stripper.
Another division of strippers is according to their chemical formation, these can be caustics, biochemicals and solvents, which are the ones we will explain in this article.
However, Stripping is much more than just a type of chemical, it is also a cleaning process.
Thus, we have the following forms of pickling:
- Mechanical or manual stripping: Manual or mechanical sanding of a surface is a form of stripping. Another method is blasting with compressed air or steel rods until the bonding layer of a surface is removed.
- Electrochemical pickling: This process mixes two different processes: electricity and a chemical process to facilitate surface cleaning.
- Chemical pickling: This is where solvents and surface strippers such as those for paint or metal come in. These are products that act as solvents and dissolve in water to break the chemical bond of various elements.
Both mechanical and electrochemical pickling are more expensive processes than chemical pickling. They also take longer and are usually used in industrial environments.
The good thing about chemical strippers is that they can be used both industrially and domestically. What's more, they can be used on both interior and exterior surfaces, regardless of whether they are horizontal or vertical.
Wood stripper: how does it work?
Basically, a wood stripper is a chemical product that weakens the bond of two compounds, one is the surface to be treated (wall, metal and wood) and the other is the layer to be removed (rust, metal and/or paint).
In the case of wood, it must be taken into account that it is usually a porous material, so A stripper or solvent with great penetrating power and suitable for permeable and filterable surfaces such as wood should be chosen.
By breaking the bond between paint and wood, it allows for easy cleaning of the treated surface. The good thing is that a wood stripper does not damage the material.
If there are only a few paint stains, you can try a low-alkalinity degreaser that penetrates the wood without damaging it. Penetrates and removes stain and grease buildup and is recommended for wooden floors such as stairs and platform floors..
If the layer to be removed is varnish or paint, you can always try sanding and scraping the wood and then removing the hardest part with a paint stripper.
Metal stripper: when and how to apply this product?
Metals are surfaces that are damaged just like any other. A clear example is the oxide which accumulates on metals such as iron, cadmium, brass, steel and derivatives. The problem with rust buildup is that It weakens metals and damages the surfaces where it originates.
Given that Metals react negatively with caustic solvents and biochemicals A low-toxic but potent solvent should be used.
A paint stripper with a high alkaline composition is used to remove residue from metal surfaces.
If you want to know when and how to apply this product, you must first know what its properties are:
- The power of these products is their Penetrating and solvent capacity capable of acting from the deepest part of the metal surface used to remove paint or rust from metals.
- Depending on the paint stripper, there are different types of paint that are easier to remove, while others may require stronger, more potent chemicals.
- Methylene chloride-based paint strippers are not the most recommended for cleaning paint on metals. They are recommended for removing paint from interior walls and ceilings, but are perfect for removing traces of dirt and stubborn paint.
- Alkaline strippers are a good choice for metals as they do not weaken them. These strippers also tend to be more cost effective than using an all-purpose solvent.
Layers of paint and varnish are easily removed from metals thanks to these chemicals.
Once the paint has broken down from the metal, it can be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Tips to keep in mind when using metal strippers
Cleaning paints and varnishes from metals is not the same as removing chemical dyes and other liquids from metal sheets.
Depending on the type of dye, it can stay on the metal longer than a normal paint.For this reason, it is advisable to use metal cleaning solvents capable of removing dyes and liquids.
A perfect product is the Solvent for metal plates for graphic arts and clichés in spray format Disol LL. This article is used to remove all types of inks in industrial graphic arts processes.
Thus, Metal elements such as rollers, plates and other parts are safe from rust and clean of paint.
For other metals such as frames and electric motors, a dielectric degreasing cleaner can be tried. If that doesn't work, You can use a Dry degreasing solvent such as Disol 07 which is suitable for both alloys and metal surfaces in general.
To summarize, it is advisable that you take into account the following aspects:
- The porosity or not of the surface to be cleaned.
- The type of stripper and its composition. If it contains acids, it is not suitable for wood.
- Application form: spraying, dipping or direct application.
- Manufacturer's recommendations for use.
Car Paint Stripper: When and How to Use This Product?
Car paint strippers or solvents They are products that remove lacquer and paint from a vehicle.They work in a similar way to metal or paint strippers.
Both are powerful and abrasive products on paint, so you should follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
There are several types of car paint thinners:
- The normal or universal ones: sThey are applied directly to the base substrate (car surface) without damaging the applied part.
- Multifunction or versatile: The varieties of use of this class of solvents are greater than that of a universal stripper. They can be used for the restoration of remains and paints, the removal of adhesive residues and rust from the surface, as well as the cleaning of workshop and car components. This is possible thanks to the fact that In addition to the solvent, they have cleaning and degreasing agents.
The main difference between a normal paint stripper and a car paint stripper is the method of application and the amount.
Car paint strippers are just as powerful as regular solvents, and are applied in the same way, depending on the format: paste, gel, spray or liquid.
With these recommendations and tips on car paint strippers we finish this Guide to types of strippers and solvents and recommendations for use.
Thanks to these tips and tricks for use, Cleaning paint on all types of surfaces is much easier and simpler!