Customer Question #4: "what do i use to remove old paint?"
Short answer = You'll need solvents! Mineral Spirits, Acetone, Paint Thinners (i.e. Varsol) and Methyl Hydrate are some solvents. They're used for cleaning, thinning and dissolving stuff.
Slightly longer answer ...
Mineral Spirits
Acetone
Varsol
Methyl Hydrate
Painting with oil-based product? You need this. Mineral Spirits is a petroleum distillate. It thins oil-based paint. Which you need to do when you're cleaning brushes and rollers. Compared to products labelled “Paint Thinner”, it's less flammable and much less smelly.
Need to remove non-oil based paint or epoxies? This is for you. Acetone is an organic compound. Flammable and evaporates easily. It's a solvent found in some nail polish removers. Used to dissolve and remove non-oil-based paint. It also dissolves two-part epoxies and thins fibreglass resin and most adhesives.
Cleaning up after using oil paint? This will do the job. Varsol is a petroleum distillate. It contains mineral spirits. It thins all oil-based paints. Cleans brushes, rollers, hands, and anything that paint gets on. Smellier than Mineral Spirits.
Trying to clean window panes? Use this. Methyl Hydrate is methyl or wood alcohol and is highly flammable. It's primarily used for cleaning glass and thinning shellac. Definitely, not for use with oil-based products or stains.
Other Stuff that removes paint (& more)
Smart Strip™ Advanced Paint Remover
Want to remove paint without harming the environment? Smart Strip is eco-friendly, 100% biodegradable, water-based, non-flammable and odour-free. Safe! Formulated without caustic or harsh chemicals. Removes multiple coats of virtually any coating from any surface.
Goof Off Pro Strength Remover
Removes The Toughest Stuff from all kinds of hard surfaces – including glass, brick, and wood to hand tools and auto surfaces. Cleans and removes the toughest spots, stains, and messy mistakes. Removes adhesives & glue, crayon, pen & marker, gum, scuff marks, stickers & decals, asphalt & tar, dried latex paint, duct tape, caulk, tree sap, candle wax and more.
Watch Dog™ Wipe Out® Porous Surface Graffiti Remover
The name speaks for itself. Got graffiti on brick, cement, stucco or most stone? This’ll get rid of it! A non-drip gel clings to the vandalized or graffitied surface for fast removal, in most cases in less than 30 minutes. Safe, environmentally friendly, water-based, low odour and low VOC. Removes adhesives, paint spills, caulking, epoxies, urethanes and most aerosol spray paints.
Circa 1850 Furniture Stripper
Out with the old finish! Old paint, varnish, lacquer is gone. No harsh scraping. One-step stripping with no after wash or neutralizing necessary. Excellent on curved and intricate surfaces. Use with Circa 1850's Maple Scraper to be sure of not gouging or scratching.
Super Remover
An industrial stripping product that is ideal for household projects. Removes up to 5 coats of paint in only one application. Practically odour free. Clean up with water. Ultra fast. Safe for wood, metal and concrete. Removes oil, latex and epoxy paints, varnishes and all types of glues.
Visit us at Upper Village Paint & Wallpaper (1162 Eglinton Ave W) to purchase any of the products listed above or ask questions relating to your projects. Phone (647-352-6119) or email here.
Write a comment
Elly Galicia (Friday, 03 February 2017 09:59)
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Nicole Serafini (Monday, 06 February 2017 07:56)
There's certainly a great deal to learn about this subject. I like all the points you have made.
Berneice Vantrease (Tuesday, 07 February 2017 04:10)
Wow, this post is fastidious, my sister is analyzing such things, so I am going to convey her.
Kimberly C Paris (Saturday, 17 August 2019 13:55)
I am looking for Varsol. Can not find in my area. Do you sell to the USA? Kim
Bob Busch (Monday, 25 January 2021 17:27)
All of the products are organic compounds or mixtures of organic compounds. As such, they are all flammable, with acetone being the worst. Methyl hydrate is an old and almost never used name for methanol. Go into your local home center and you will find methanol and not methyl hydrate. Acetone will not dissolve two part epoxies after they have cured. It will only work before they are cured. I believe (am not absolutely certain) that acetone will not dissolve fiberglass resin after it is cured. Acetone will thin the resin before it sets. Lighter fluid (for cigarette lighters) is very good for removing adhesives. For cleaning equipment that has been used for oil based paints, gasoline works very well. It is very cheap compared to the other solvents and you can get it after hours at any gas station/convenience store if you don't already have it for your lawnmower, etc. Gasoline and lighter fluid are flammable organic solvents. Don't use gasoline to thin paints. I am a fan of GoofOff for dried latex paint. I am a chemist.
Rajeev Singh (Sunday, 12 December 2021 08:59)
Dear Sir,
Hope you are doing well,
Kindly you are requested to provide us your best offer for the following items along with Technical data sheet:
Material: 141637
Description: CLEANER, VARSOL MULTI-PURPOSE GRADE
60 55GAL/DR MSDS SHEET REQUIRED UPON MATERIAL RECEIPT
MFG Name: VARSOL
MFG PN: VARSOL
Qty : 20 Drums
Your quick response would be highly appreciated.
Best Regards,
Rageev Singh
Operation Officer
Yemen Future For Oil, Gas Fields Services
Whats app ; +1 613 604 6726
Haddah St. Al-Mesbahi Cross Area
Haddah Area
Sana’a – Yemen
Email: info@yemfogs.com
Website: www.yemfogs.com
D&B D-U-N-S: 55-793-3420
Tim Finch (Tuesday, 18 October 2022 13:28)
I have a project to remove saw your bar varnish with mineral spirits. I am wondering if you have a pre-J old mineral spirits product?
And are your products available in the U.S.?
Jim Murphy (Monday, 01 April 2024 09:16)
Where I live (Canada) we also have xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, and turpentine commonly available in DIY stores. Love the smells (but just the merest whiff!)