1. Types of chemical paint remover
    Caustics  Solvents  Other components 

2. Petroleum hydroxide
     History  

3. Alternatives

4. See also

5. References

6. External links

Paint stripper, or paint remover, is a product designed to remove paint and other finishes and also to clean the underlying surface. Other paint removal methods involve mechanical (scraping or sanding) or heat (hot air, radiant heat, or steam). A material safety data sheet will provide more safety information than on the product label.

The removal of paint containing lead may lead to lead poisoning and is regulated in the United States.^[1]

Types of chemical paint remover

Chemical paint removers work only on certain types of finishes, and when multiple types of finishes may have been used on any particular surface, trial and error testing is typical to determine the best stripper for each application. Two basic categories of chemical paint removers are caustic and solvent.

Caustics

Caustic paint removers, typically sodium hydroxide (also known as lye or caustic soda), work by breaking down the chemical bonds of the paint, usually by hydrolysis of the chain bonds of the polymers forming the paint. Caustic removers must be neutralized or the new finish will fail prematurely. In addition, several side effects and health risks must be taken into account in using caustic paint removers. Such caustic aqueous solutions are typically used by antique dealers who aim to restore old furniture by stripping off worn varnishes, for example.

Solvents

Solvent paint strippers penetrate the layers of paint and break the bond between the paint and the object by swelling the paint.^[2]

The principal active ingredient in historically common solvent paint strippers is dichloromethane, also called methylene chloride, which has serious health risks including death,^[3] is likely a carcinogen,^[4] and other risks.

Solvent strippers may also have formulations with orange oil (or other terpene solvents), N-methylpyrrolidone, esters such as dibasic esters (often dimethyl esters of shorter dicarboxylic acids, sometimes aminated, for example, adipic acid or glutamic acid), aromatic hydrocarbons, dimethylformamide, and other solvents are known as well. The formula differs according to the type of paint and the character of the underlying surface. Nitromethane is another commonly used solvent. Dimethyl sulfoxide is a less toxic alternative solvent used in some formulations.

Paint strippers come in a liquid, or a gel ("thixotropic") form that clings even to vertical surfaces.

The principle of paint strippers is penetration of the paint film by the molecules of the active ingredient, causing its swelling; this volume increase causes internal strains, which, together with the weakening of the layer's adhesion to the underlying surface, leads to separation of the layer of the paint from the substrate.

Other components

Various co-solvents are added to the primary active ingredient. These assist with penetration into the paint and its removal and differ according to the target paint. Ethanol is suitable for shellac, methyl ethyl ketone is used for cellulose nitrate, and phenol and cresols are employed in some industrial formulas.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}} Benzyl alcohol is used as well.

Activators increase the penetration rate; for dichloromethane water is suitable, other choices are amines, strong acids or strong alkalis. The activator's role is to disrupt the molecular and intermolecular bonds in the paint film and assist with weakening this. Its composition depends on the character of the paint to be removed. Mineral acids are used for epoxy resins to hydrolyze their ether bonds. Alkaline activators are usually based on sodium hydroxide. Some cosolvents double as activators. Amine activators, alkalines weaker than inorganic hydroxides, are favored when the substrate could be corroded by strong acids or bases.

Surfactants assist with wetting the surface, increasing the area of where the solvent can penetrate the paint layer. Anionic surfactants (e.g., dodecyl benzenesulfonate or sodium xylene sulfonate) are used for acidic formulas, cationic or non-ionic are suitable for alkaline formulas.

Paint strippers containing surfactants are excellent brush cleaners.

Thickeners are used for thixotropic formulas to help the mixture form gel that adheres to vertical surfaces and to reduce the evaporation of the solvents, thus prolonging the time the solvent can penetrate the paint. Cellulose-based agents, e.g., hydroxypropyl cellulose, are commonly used for mixtures that are not extremely acidic or basic; under such conditions cellulose undergoes hydrolysis and loses effectiveness, so fumed silica is used for these instead. Another possibility is using waxes (usually paraffin wax or polyethylene or polypropylene derivatives), or polyacrylate gels.

Corrosion inhibitors are added to the formula to protect the underlying substrate and the paint stripper storage vessel (usually a steel can) from corrosion. Dichloromethane decomposes with time to hydrochloric acid, which readily reacts with propylene oxide or butylene oxide and therefore is removed from the solution. Chromate-based inhibitors give the mixture a characteristic yellow color. Other possibilities include polyphosphates, silicates, borates and various antioxidants.

Sequestrants and chelating agents are used to "disarm" metal ions present in the solution, which could otherwise reduce the efficiency of other components, and assist with cleaning stains, which often contain metal compounds. The most common sequestrants used in paint strippers are EDTA, tributyl phosphate, and sodium phosphate.

Colorants may be added.

Petroleum hydroxide

Petroleum hydroxide was a chemical used by the New York City Transit Authority to remove graffiti from subway trains. Nicknamed "Orange Crush" by graffiti artists, after the soft drink and as a reference to the defoliant Agent Orange, the substance was soon discovered to be highly toxic.

History

In 1977, the Transit Authority built a graffiti removal station in its Coney Island train yard, in an attempt to discourage graffiti artists. Costing the city $400,000 annually, trains were sprayed with petroleum hydroxide, after which the graffiti was buffed off. However, the buffing process often failed to completely remove graffiti, leaving a dull stain which many saw as much uglier than the original artwork. Those in contact with the chemical experienced nausea and breathing difficulties, leading to the closing of a nearby public school. The chemical also corroded the trains, and contaminated the city's water supply, through unsafe dumping. In 1985, transit workers were awarded $6.3 million for "health problems stemming from exposure to fumes from cleaning solvents."

Alternatives

Heat guns are an alternative to chemical paint strippers. When heated, softened paint clumps and is easier to contain. High-temperature heat guns at {{convert|1,100|F|C|-1}} or more create toxic lead fumes in lead-based paint,^[5][6] but low-temperature heat guns and {{convert|400|F|C|-1}} infrared paint removers do not create lead fumes.^[7] Fire is a possible hazard of using heat guns.

Steam can be used on large surfaces or items to be stripped, such as window sash, can be placed inside a steam box.^[8]

See also

• Distressing
• Nitromors

References

External links

• JAIC 1993: The composition of proprietary paint strippers
• [https://books.google.com/books?id=k-af0BaxVFIC Old-House Journal article on paint removers starts on page 58]
• "Urban Expression", a paper on the history of NYC graffiti.
• "Evolution of Rap Music in the US".

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