By Manasa Reddigari and Tony Carrick and Mark Wolfe | Updated Sep 30, 2022 5:51 PM

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Paint prep is a necessary but sometimes tedious step, and some types of paint prep are easier than others. On a piece of furniture with only a few isolated peeling patches, a little scraping and sanding may be adequate prior to priming and repainting. But for a project that has already been painted several times—and likely shows widespread chipping, cracking, or blistering—the existing finish must be removed completely before the project can be continued.

This can be done manually with a hand sander and a whole lot of elbow grease (not an option with lead-based paint) or with a paint stripper, which will take care of the task at hand in far less time and with far less effort.

Before setting out to purchase a paint stripper, know that not all are suitable for all types of paint and surfaces. Some include harsh chemicals that require special safety precautions. To help clear up any confusion and narrow the options, we shopped for, tested, and reviewed several paint strippers for a variety of uses. Keep reading to learn more about our shopping priorities, how these products performed in our tests, and why we consider them to be among the best paint strippers available.

Is it really necessary to use a liquid or gel paint stripper? It depends on the project. Paint stripper reaches into the crevices of ornate trim and molding to remove paint where scrapers and sandpaper struggle. Strippers also reduce or eliminate dust and debris caused by sanding and scraping. But for flat surfaces, skipping the stripper could be the best choice. Professionals often remove old paint from surfaces like wood siding or furniture with just a paint scraper or coarse sandpaper. For tough, resistant finishes like varnish or layered paint, pretreating with a heat gun or steamer loosens the finish before scraping.

When window locks, door hinges, or hand tools are marred with paint, thrifty DIYers reclaim them with the help of a slow cooker. To do this, place the hardware in the pot, cover with water, add a few drops of liquid dish soap, and let it cook on high for 6 to 8 hours. Remove the hot items from the cooker with plastic tongs to avoid scratching them, and the old paint will peel right off.

When looking for a paint stripper, it’s crucial for shoppers to consider a few factors, including the type of paint stripper, the materials that it works with, and how safe it is to use. Just ahead is more information about these factors and other important characteristics of paint strippers.

Like the paint, varnishes, and lacquers they remove, paint strippers can put off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be harmful to breathe in and cause nose, throat, and eye irritation. While VOCs are less of a concern when working outdoors, they can be harmful when working indoors, especially if there is limited ventilation.

Strippers with high VOCs typically use harsh chemicals in their formulas. Shoppers who are planning to work indoors will want to look for a paint stripper that does not use chemicals (such as methylene chloride) that produce high VOCs.

There are four main types of paint strippers that function in unique ways and contain varying levels of VOC content.

Different types of paint strippers perform better on certain surfaces. Shoppers will want to choose the paint stripper that’s best suited for the intended surface application:

While some paint strippers are less hazardous than others, all types must be applied while using protective equipment. Be sure to use the following protective gear when handling whichever type is chosen:

Shoppers who are stripping old paint in homes built pre-1978 will want to first test with a lead paint test kit. If the test is positive, it’s important to choose a paint stripper labeled for use on lead paint (these strippers may fall into any of the four categories of paint strippers above and usually come in a paste or gel form to trap lead particles and keep them from going airborne).

When applying paint stripper, users will need to dip a disposable paint brush into the product to apply it in the thickness recommended on the package instructions. The brush is moved in short strokes in a single direction (on wood, it’s moved in the direction of the grain). If the product comes with laminate paper squares for easier paint removal, the squares are adhered to the wet stripper immediately after application.

If the paint stripper requires a neutralizing step, it’s important to use the solution recommended on the package (or a solution of equal parts vinegar and water), then test the pH of the stripped surface with pH paper to ensure it has a pH of 7. For paint strippers that don’t require neutralizing, users will need to wash the stripped surface with the cleaner recommended on the packaging (usually plain water or mineral spirits).

In addition to application tips for the different types listed above, users will want to follow these practices for safe and effective use of any paint stripper:

We researched and tested some of the best paint strippers on the market. The products below remove paint quickly and work on a variety of different coatings and materials. Read on to find out how they performed.

The formula of this biodegradable paint stripper, which is free of methylene chloride and NMP, imparts no nasty fumes as it removes paint (including lead-based), varnish, and urethane from wood, metal, masonry, and other surfaces, indoors and out.

The biodegradable paint remover can be applied by brush, roller, or sprayer. It’s successful at stripping new and decades-old paint coats from stone, metal, and other painted surfaces, all with ease.

Dumond Smart Strip had the lowest odor of all the products we tested, which makes it a better choice for indoor projects. The thick consistency of the product made it easy to apply a ⅛-inch-thick coating, which scabbed over somewhat during the extended working time, but it didn’t dry out. The 4- to 24-hour working range meant it took a bit longer to loosen the paint thoroughly compared to some of the other products, but given adequate time it cleaned as well as any of the others. We awarded it best overall because of its low odor, eco-friendly ingredients, and effectiveness for a broad range of surfaces and coatings.

Get the Dumond paint stripper on Amazon or Ace Hardware (5-gallon size).

Low-VOC water-soluble Max Strip Paint & Varnish stripper contains no methylene chloride or NMP. The no-drip gel formula sprays, brushes, or rolls on easily with less mess than regular liquid chemical paint stripper. It removes most types of paint and varnish from most porous and nonporous surfaces.

This Max Strip stripper costs less per ounce than any of the other products we tested. In our trials on wood, metal, and concrete surfaces, it worked effectively. However, applications went on lightly because of the relatively thin consistency, so we had to cover the work with plastic after each application to keep the stripper from drying out. Also, the thin application meant it was necessary to repeat the application a second time on some areas with multiple layers of paint, but those instances were minimal. For everyday use, this product could make a reliable cost-effective pick, but it may not be ideal for heavy-duty applications.

Get the Max Strip paint stripper at Amazon, The Home Depot, or The BuildClub.

Those who thought that citrus-based products were the only green paint strippers will be pleasantly surprised with Blue Bear 605Pro. This powerful product is made from soy-based solvents and is 100 percent biodegradable. It applies easily with a built-in squirt applicator. The thick consistency makes it simple to spread with a squeegee, brush, or roller, and it adheres particularly well on vertical surfaces.

In our tests, Blue Bear 605Pro stripped paint especially well with a single application, including multilayered paint. The consistency was thick, which made it easy to apply a generous layer yet runny enough to penetrate wood-trim details and pitted concrete. The downside of the extra-thick consistency was that it gave the scraped paint a gooey texture, which was a bit more messy to clean than the thinner products. The odor was not exactly pleasant but also not overwhelming. We found it to be highly effective and eco-friendly.

Get the Blue Bear paint stripper on Franmar or Amazon.

This paint stripper starts working just 30 minutes after application, making it one of the fastest means of stripping paint from wood, plaster, concrete, brick, stone, and masonry. It removes up to three layers of water- or oil-based paint and varnish and is applied with a sprayer, brush, or roller.

In addition to being a fast-acting product, Sunnyside Hi-Speed Ready Strip also produces low VOCs and uses no methylene chloride or other harsh chemicals, making it environmentally safe and leaving only a pleasant citrus aroma. It’s available in ½-gallon containers, which is enough to cover about 20 square feet, and quart-size spray bottles.

The test projects we treated with Ready Strip were consistently ready for paint removal in less than an hour. It did a great job of lifting single coats of paint but typically left residue behind when it came to multilayered paint. After a second application and some work with a paint-removal pad, the residue came off easily enough. The texture was moderately thick, so vertical surfaces were no problem. The odor was moderate and not completely unpleasant. This could be another good option for indoor projects.

Get the Sunnyside paint stripper on Amazon, Max Warehouse, or Hardware and Tools.

This paint stripper’s ability to remove some of the most commonly used coatings for wood, including oil- and water-based paint, epoxies, varnishes, shellacs, and lacquers, makes it an ideal paint stripper for wood. This formula does not include methylene chloride or NMP, which is safer for the user and the environment while also being gentler on wood. This makes it an ideal choice for stripping antique furniture. Be sure to use protective equipment for safe handling, including long sleeves, gloves, and goggles.

It begins stripping paint just 15 minutes after application and will remove up to five layers. Apply by pouring the stripper onto the surface and use a scraper to remove. D Super Remover stripper is available in 1-quart or 1-gallon cans.

For detailed woodwork, a chemical solvent like D Super Remover is sometimes best because it reaches deep into pattern work, quickly removes the finish, and won’t gum up the surface. It worked fast enough in our tests that the thin layer of solvent didn’t have a chance to dry out. We were able to scrape single-layer paint less than a ½ hour after application. With multilayer paint, it worked in just over 1 hour. The odor is intense, so make sure the work area has excellent ventilation before opening the can.

Get the D Super Remover paint stripper for wood on Amazon.

The spray-bottle packaging and fast-acting formula of this paint stripper from Max Strip make it a good paint stripper for metal. The stripper sprays on, making it ideal for removing paint from cars and other surfaces that may be scratched by using a brush or scraper. The stripper also works quickly—in about 15 minutes—and is in a gel form, making it ideal for clinging to slick metal surfaces.

Max Strip All Purpose Remover does not produce harsh fumes or odors and rinses away with water. In addition to paint, Max Strip also conveniently removes other materials that frequently end up on a car, including tree sap, sticker residue, and glues. It comes in 22-ounce bottles.

In our surface tests, Max Strip was easy to apply. It adhered well to vertical surfaces and penetrated textured surfaces. The consistency was fairly thick, but we had no trouble with it flowing through the trigger sprayer. The product emitted a slightly unpleasant odor, but it wasn’t overpowering. Working time varied from approximately a half hour for a single paint layer to about 3 hours (wrapped in plastic to avoid evaporation) for multilayer removal. The trigger spray and smaller package make this a good choice for small projects or household cleanup tasks.

Get the Max Strip paint stripper for metal at Amazon, The Home Depot, or The BuildClub.

Removing paint that’s soaked into the porous surface of masonry can be a challenge. This paint remover works to break the molecular bonds in paint, making it capable of lifting spray paint, aerosol paint, enamel, and other paint types from porous concrete.

Unlike other strippers that liquify paint, this formula breaks it into small solid pieces that can be rinsed out of porous materials. In addition to concrete, it also works on stucco, fiberglass, brick, metal, and vinyl. It produces low VOCs and uses no harsh chemicals. Motsenbocker’s comes in a 22-ounce spray bottle.

The ready-to-spray bottle and eco-friendly formula make Lift Off an easy choice for cleaning up outdoor spaces like spills or graffiti on sidewalks, driveways, and retaining walls. We found it easy enough to apply a thick, even coating, which stuck well on vertical surfaces. It cleaned up our basement floor test area with two applications and 3-minute working times and only produced a slight odor. We did not test outdoors in direct sunlight, which may require covering treated areas to prevent the product from drying.

Get the Motsenbocker’s paint stripper at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or The Paint Store.

Formulated with citrus terpene and NMP, this indoor-outdoor paint and varnish stripper with a citrus scent earns high praise from DIYers who return to the product again and again for a countless variety of repair and improvement projects. The stripper goes on with a gel-like consistency and works to loosen multiple layers of water- or oil-based paint, varnish, shellac, or epoxy from wood, metal, or masonry in less than a half hour—without corroding the painting surface.

Citristrip worked well in all three of our tests on wood, metal, and concrete. The gel formula was easy to apply with a paint brush and stuck well to vertical surfaces. It was a bit thicker in viscosity than most of the others, which helped to prevent drying, but it made the cleanup a bit messier. Wait time was similar to the other eco-friendly products, at about 1½ hours for a single layer of paint, and 2½ hours for multiple layers. The orange-ish odor was pleasant, and it’s another good choice for interior work. Note that it works best when given an extended working time.

Get the Citristrip paint and varnish stripper at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Rockler.

When sanding and scraping is not enough, a good paint stripper makes the job easier. No need to go for an old-fashioned and potentially health-threatening chemical; the Dumond paint stripper takes paint off with no harsh chemicals, no nasty smells, and low environmental impact. Or, to get the job done just a tad faster and save money at the same time, Max Strip paint stripper gets the job done quickly, even if it does stink just a little.

In the process of sourcing and vetting paint strippers for this article, we reviewed more than 50 paint strippers. We had several priorities. The products we recommend do not include known carcinogens or present other potentially serious health risks when used as directed. Using them does not require an inordinate amount of investment in special applicators or safety gear. And they work when used according to the label directions.

To learn how each of these paint strippers perform, we spent 20 hours testing them on wood, metal, and concrete surfaces. We also used the heat-gun and paint-scraper method as a point of comparison. For the wood test, we taped off 12 feet of old window casing into equal segments, one for each of the strippers. For the concrete test, we marked out nine 12-inch squares on a basement floor. Likewise, we designated equal-size sections of corrugated-metal roofing sheets for the metal test.

Our window casing and basement floor had previously been painted. We spray-painted the roofing material and let it cure for a week prior to stripping. Following the directions on the label of each product, we applied the strippers, let the product work for the minimum recommended amount of time, then tested with a scraper at intervals until the paint was ready to remove. Then we used a paint scraper, paint-stripper pads, and stiff bristle brushes to remove the paint as if we were preparing the surface for a fresh paint job. If any of the products required additional time or another application to complete the job, we did so.

If you have questions about how to use paint stripper or dispose of it when you’re done, then read on for answers to these and other commonly asked questions about these products.

Paint stripper will not ruin clothes. In fact, some paint strippers can be used to remove paint from clothing.

While paint stripper does not have an expiration date, it’s a good idea to keep it tightly sealed when not in use to prevent contaminants from getting into the container. Store it in a dry location protected from extreme temperatures.

The Sunnyside paint stripper is one of the fastest-acting paint strippers on the market, removing paint in as little as 30 minutes.

Don’t throw paint stripper in your trash can. Follow disposal instructions on product labels and the guidance of your local waste hauler or municipality. Due to the chemicals used in paint strippers, most municipalities require paint strippers to be disposed of at a hazardous collection facility.

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