Painting over an old coat of paint might seem like a quick fix, but it can result in an uneven finish, peeling paint, or cracking over time. The smart approach involves stripping away the old paint first, and the best paint strippers will make your job a lot easier.
There are several types to choose from, including solvent-based strippers for tough coatings, caustic strippers for heavy-duty removal as well as biodegradable and nontoxic options for a more eco-friendly approach. To help you find the best one for your project, our team took a close look at today’s top-rated paint strippers. Here are our recommendations.
Top 5 Paint Strippers
- Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel: Longest Lasting
- Dumond Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover: Best For Indoors
- Motsenbocker’s Lift Off Latex Paint Remover: Best For Latex Paint
- Sunnyside 2 Minute Remover Liquid Paint & Varnish Remover: Fastest Acting
- MAX Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper: Best Comprehensive Stripper
Compare Top Paint Strippers
| Product | Consistency | Packaging | Usage | Works On |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping GelCheck Price | Gel | 32-ounce container | Latex and oil paint, varnish, lacquer, polyurethane, and shellac | Wood, metal, and other surfaces |
Dumond Smart Strip Advanced Paint RemoverCheck Price | Paste | 128-ounce container | Paint and other coatings | Wood, brick, metal, and other surfaces |
Motsenbocker’s Lift Off Latex Paint RemoverCheck Price | Liquid | 22-ounce container | Latex paint | Fiberglass, carpet, brick and other surfaces |
Sunnyside 2 Minute Remover Liquid Paint & Varnish RemoverCheck Price | Liquid | 32-ounce container | Liquid paint and varnish | Wood, metal, masonry |
MAX Strip Paint & Varnish StripperCheck Price | Gel | 32-ounce container | Latex and oil paint, varnish, shellac, and other coatings | Wood, metal, brick, and other surfaces |
Longest Lasting
Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel
This stripping gel takes 30 minutes to wet your paint and get it ready for removal. It also keeps it wet for up to 24 hours in case you want to take a break from your project and pick it back up the next day. It can remove multiple layers of oil and latex paint in addition to varnish, lacquer, polyurethane, and shellac.
Pros and Cons of Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel
- Has a fresh citrus scent
- Removes dried latex and oil paint
- Doesn’t contain methylene chloride or other harmful chemicals
- Takes 30 minutes before it’s ready to remove paint
- Can cause burns if it comes into contact with skin
What People Are Saying About The Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel
Customers who like this product said that it adhered well to surfaces, had a pleasant scent, and was easy to use. However, some dissatisfied customers claimed that it sometimes failed to remove more than one layer of paint. They also said that it left a difficult-to-remove residue.
Best For Indoors
Dumond Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover
Removing paint indoors, especially in spaces where there’s minimal or no ventilation, can be risky if your paint stripper contains toxic chemicals. This paint stripper, however, has a non-toxic, eco-friendly, and odorless formula, ensuring that you won’t get lightheaded or faint.
Pros and Cons of Dumond Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover
- Comes as a thick paste that doesn’t slide down your walls
- Has a 100% biodegradable formula
- Can remove up to 15 layers of paint from wood, brick, metal, concrete, stone, and more
- Works best on post-1980s paint
- Has an unclear dwell time that varies based on the surface and paint
What People Are Saying About The Dumond Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover
Those who left positive reviews for this product said that it worked quickly, was easy to clean up, and could be applied to multiple surfaces. However, those who left negative reviews claimed that it covered less surface area than expected and had an unpleasant scent.
Best For Latex Paint
Motsenbocker’s Lift Off Latex Paint Remover
Pros and Cons of Motsenbocker’s Lift Off Latex Paint Remover
- Comes in a spray bottle for easy application
- Safe to use near pets and children
- Contains half of the regulated limit of volatile organic compounds
- Only designed to remove latex paint
- Comes in a small bottle
What People Are Saying About The Motsenbocker’s Lift Off Latex Paint Remover
Satisfied customers said that this paint stripper was simple to use, worked on multiple fabrics, and was effective on old paint. However, some customers who left negative reviews claimed that the bottle leaked.
Fastest Acting
Sunnyside 2 Minute Remover Liquid Paint & Varnish Remover
This fast-acting remover removes materials in just two minutes, giving you the ability to quickly remove paint and varnish when you’re in a pinch. It can remove multiple coats of paint and strips up to 25 square feet of material.
Pros and Cons of Sunnyside 2 Minute Remover Liquid Paint & Varnish Remover
- Also works on wood, metal, and masonry
- Is methylene chloride free
- Comes in a large 32-ounce container
- Has a somewhat thin consistency
- May require multiple applications
What People Are Saying About The Sunnyside 2 Minute Remover Liquid Paint & Varnish Remover
Customers who liked this product said that it was easy to spread, and worked on multiple materials. Many also loved how quickly it worked. However, some customers felt it didn’t work great on wood surfaces, and others had issues with the product leaking out of the can.
Best Comprehensive Stripper
MAX Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper
Pros and Cons of MAX Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper
- Doesn’t have an unpleasant odor or harsh fumes
- Cleans up with just water
- Has a skin-safe formula in case you accidentally spill some on yourself
- Can etch some plastics
- Not effective on automotive paint or other baked-on coatings
What People Are Saying About The MAX Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper
Those who left positive reviews for this product said that it was fast-working, didn’t have an overpowering scent, and came with easy-to-follow directions. However, customers who left negative reviews said that this paint stripper was less powerful than expected and dried too quickly.
Paint Stripper Buying Guide
Before deciding which paint stripper is best for your painting project, consider the factors in the following buying guide.
Type
There are several types of paint strippers, including:
Solvent
Solvent paint strippers break down the bond between the paint and the surface. They effectively remove paint, epoxy, and polyurethane from a variety of surfaces, including wood, masonry, and metal. Though effective, they contain harmful chemicals, such as methylene chloride and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, that pose serious health risks.
Caustic
Caustic paint strippers turn the paint into a soap-like substance. This type of paint stripper works well with oil-based paint.
Biochemical
These paint strippers are a safer alternative to traditional solvent ones, as they’re made from plant-based solvents. They’re effective at removing water- and oil-based paints from masonry, wood, and metal surfaces.
Non-Toxic
Non-toxic paint strippers usually have either no volatile organic compounds or a minimal amount. They’re the safest option on the market for removing oil- and water-based paint on metal or masonry.
VOC Level
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of chemicals that are often found in home-maintenance products. They release a gas that can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat in the best case scenario or cause cancer in the worst case scenario. A safe paint stripper for indoor use has a low VOC level. If you’re working outdoors, VOC level is less of a concern because you’ll have the open air around you for ventilation.
Paint and Surface Compatibility
Different paint strippers work on different coatings and surfaces. If you need a product for a particular project, make sure its label lists the type of paint and surface you’re working with. However, if you’re an avid DIYer, choose a versatile product that works on a variety of coatings and surfaces to complete a range of projects.
Application
How you apply a paint stripper depends on the type you’re using. Solvent strippers can be applied in a thin one-eighth-inch layer. They stay on the surface for about 15 minutes before being removed. For caustic strippers, use a thicker quarter-inch layer. Leave the layer on for at least half an hour before removing the paint with a scraper and neutralizing the stripper with water or vinegar.
Biochemical paint strippers should also be applied in a thick layer. However, they should remain on the surface for longer, typically between two and four hours. Finally, non-toxic strippers can be applied in a layer between one-eighth and a quarter of an inch. They should be left for anywhere from three to 24 hours depending on the amount being used and the surface being stripped.
Paint Stripper FAQs
What are paint strippers?
If you apply a layer of paint over an already painted surface, it may cause bumps or other uneven textures. A paint stripper keeps this from happening by helping to remove the old paint before applying another coat. It’s a chemical solution that reacts with the paint to loosen it.
What safety precautions should I take when I’m using a paint stripper?
Here are a few guidelines to follow regardless of the type of paint stripper you’re using:
- Make sure the work area is as ventilated as possible. This may involve opening vents, windows, and doors.
- Clear the area of children and pets.
- Wear long-sleeve shirts, pants, close-toed shoes, safety glasses, and chemical-resistant gloves.
How do I dispose of extra paint stripper?
Never dispose of paint stripper by throwing it in a trash can or dumping it down a drain. Instead, bring it to a hazardous waste collection facility.
Our Methodology
To provide our readers with the best product recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of products with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down by comparing each model’s feature-set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products for the home, from doorbell cameras and dining room decor to circular saws and snow blowers.
Once we conclude the research and testing phases, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.