aircraft stripper paint stripper - alternatives?

[Enigma]

When I wanted to strip a car to bare metal I would use this Aircraft Stripper. It would literally melt the paint off it was wondeful. Used to nick name it 'apple butter'. its kinda pricey. not sure what the active ingredients are.

do any of you guys know of an alternative that is just as good but cheaper?

 

[Enigma]

nobody knows of anything else that is just as good? what about the rustoleum aircraft remover? same chemical , effectiveness?

 

[kbs2244]

I think what you had was a high percentage of MEK.
Nasty stuff that may not be avaible without a signoff.

 

[rmack898]

I too used to use Zip Strip aircraft paint remover, it was great stuff but now its hard to find.
The next best thing I have found is Jasco premium stripper at Lowes. Its reasonably priced and is my go to paint stripper because Lowes always has it.


https://www.lowes.com/pd/Jasco-1-Gallon-Semi-Paste-Multi-Surface-Paint-Remover/3586548

 

[Bluevista]

I tried to strip my '92 Olds Custom Cruiser front bumper with that Aircraft stuff and all it did was make a toxic mess. I tried a couple of other brands too, nothing worked. I pitched all of it and went back to the old tried and true #80 grit discs and used a 5" Ridgid random orbit sander. I've seen cars chemically stripped and it works great, just not in my case. I tried to find a place locally to media blast off the paint but nobody wants to mess with plastic bumpers. If there is something that will do it I'd like to know too, I have a rear bumper cover and about a mile of plastic side cladding to do next.

 

[cvairwerks]

Depending on which version, it's mostly Methylene Chloride and Methanol. Just look at the contents label on other strippers, or pull the MSDS for them.

 

[dr_clyde]

Methelene Chloride is an ingredient in some welding anti spatter. We used to buy it by the gallon and the boss would occasionally use it as paint stripper.

 

[Enigma]

Depending on which version, it's mostly Methylene Chloride and Methanol. Just look at the contents label on other strippers, or pull the MSDS for them.

sounds highly carcinogenic and dna altering.

 

[Motown]

Use to use Tal-Strip, pretty nasty stuff though.

 

[pancho400cid]

That aircraft stripper works awesome. It's way too toxic (and effective) to be legally available much longer. Methylene Chloride, methanol and ammonium hydroxide!!!??? What's not to like???!!!

Datasheet and Safety Data Sheet (aka SDS - formerly MSDS):

http://www.kleanstrip.com/product/aircraft-paint-remover

 

[Richard Cranium]

I am told oven cleaner, you can get it at the dollar store. Not sure and have never used it, but that is what I have been told.

 

[ilovevocs]

I would throw some 80 grit on the DA and have at it. Just helped a buddy knock down a 64 impala.

Chemical stripping is something i pay for when the job warrants. Biggest issue with that is making sure everything gets painted; nooks and crannies.

 

[Enigma]

i just found this. very interesting.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_...chemical_found_in_paint_thinners_why_has.html

 

[Enigma]

I would throw some 80 grit on the DA and have at it. Just helped a buddy knock down a 64 impala.

Chemical stripping is something i pay for when the job warrants. Biggest issue with that is making sure everything gets painted; nooks and crannies.

maybe you are right. why risk it. coud just use the stripper on what the sander cant get.

 

[Aroberson77]

Sounds like you need adequete ventilation and a good respirator. I'd rather do the sanding disc method. I did use this years ago to strip a mountain bike frame, it took many coatings because I think it was powdercoated but it worked

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Citristr...35&wl11=local&wl12=17209363&wl13=4477&veh=sem

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

I use aircraft stripper all the time with great results.
You also need to protect your hands, I use Gray Silver Shield inside some cotton gloves.
They will protect you for a very long time, found a great deal on e-bay.
Almost all the other gloves will allow chemicals in just seconds. Solvex, nital will not stop the chemicals. Protect yourself!
https://bluethundertechnologies.com...ile_Vinyl_Glove_Chemical_Resistance_Chart.pdf

 

[FJ 432]

I've tried a bunch but nothing works better.

The burn on exposed skin makes me think of the blood from the creature in the Alien movies.

 

[patrickg20]

I just used aircraft stripper and rustoleum stripper on some metal cabinets for my garage. I didn't notice any difference is the effectiveness of either brand. The only difference I noticed was the Rustoleum stripper was a little thicker and would stick to vertical surfaces a little better than the aircraft stripper. I've used paint stripper for years doing auto body repairs without any issues. Obviously, be sure to wear eye protection too. Paint stripper burns enough when you get it on your skin. I can't imagine getting it in your eye.

[/url]IMG_2513 by Patrick Graham, on Flickr[/IMG]

[/url]IMG_2518 by Patrick Graham, on Flickr[/IMG]

[/url]IMG_2575 by Patrick Graham, on Flickr[/IMG]

[/url]IMG_2580 by Patrick Graham, on Flickr[/IMG]

As far as sanding with a DA, that could be a good option depending on how big of an area you are stripping. Also, depends on how many layers of paint, and what kind of paint you are stripping. As for the cabinets I did, I used 10 pieces of sandpaper just on sanding the edges of one cabinet. It was WAY more cost effective to strip them rather than DA them. It also saved A LOT of time.

 

[Enigma]

thanks for all the input.

I like that 'aircraft remover'. You brush it on and the whole airplane dissolves into thin air. It's that strong.

 

[joeswamp]

I've been told that paint stripper is much more effective when you use it in conjunction with those super coarse stainless steel scouring pads that they use to clean pans in restaurants:

I've never used these but it seems like a really good idea.

 

[apollo11]

i just found this. very interesting.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_...chemical_found_in_paint_thinners_why_has.html

 

[catalytic]

I've been told that paint stripper is much more effective when you use it in conjunction with those super coarse stainless steel scouring pads that they use to clean pans in restaurants:

I've never used these but it seems like a really good idea.

^^ I found that a stiff wire brush with a handle is the thing to have for paint stripping. I'm not sure even a coarse scrubber would work. Then again, this was when using Citristrip on good industrial paint (citristrip is a good product, but sometimes needs some help to cut through the tough paints)

 

[Lelandwelds]

i just found this. very interesting.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_...chemical_found_in_paint_thinners_why_has.html

At least 56 deaths since 1980 ! I am appalled! We should demand it pulled off the market and burn down the retailers who sell it!

While tragic, more people have died in pencil and pen mishaps. More people have died from toe infections. More people die in six months from ladder falls than the whole 35+ year period.

 

[az45]

Permatex Aerosol is what I have best luck with, its probably not cheaper but it works great and its super easy to use.
https://www.permatex.com/products/c...-cleaners-degreasers/permatex-paint-stripper/

 

[Lhorn]

I've had pretty good luck with aircraft paint stripper. Lotta people dont like it. Doesn't touch bondo much - gets a bit softer but doesn't exactly bubble up and come off like paint. For filler I use a "good" 4 inch angle grinder (no, not the "blue" or "orange" $9 version) with a stout knotted wire wheel on it. Eat bondo for breakfast and doesn't attack metal like an aggressive abrasive disk. So if you kiss the metal, no harm done.
I stripped my 86 Grand National of it's original cracked laquer paint largely using a paint scraper that accepts razor blades. Worked really well.

 

[Motown]

The ********* plumbers gloves at Harbor Freight hold up to paint stripper pretty darn good. I've been using them for years, for paint stripping.