Looking for Alternatives to Dichloromethane? Eco-friendly Paint Removers Have the Answer!

How to choose the paint removal method for aluminum alloy wheels, carbon fiber frames, and wooden building materials?

 

With the tightening restrictions on the use of dichloromethane, eco-friendly paint removal methods can achieve economic and efficient goals.

 

▲Chemical paint stripping has always been one of the main methods in heavy-duty painting.

 

Paint stripping, or paint removal, is a process of removing paint, coatings, or other substances from a surface, commonly used for treating heavy workpieces, painting equipment, mispainted components, etc. Traditional paint strippers typically contain dichloromethane (DCM), an organic solvent known for its low boiling point, non-flammability, and strong solvency, enabling rapid and effective removal of various coatings. However, dichloromethane also has many disadvantages and hazards, such as:

 

• Its high volatility makes it prone to operator exposure and poisoning, leading to serious consequences such as neurological paralysis and respiratory failure.
• It is classified as a possible or reasonable carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Its waste is considered hazardous and requires special handling and transportation.
• Its use is restricted or prohibited by regulations in the European Union and other countries or regions.

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(Extended Reading:Paint removal solution ~ complies with EU requirements and can be recycled and reused! Are you still using methylene chloride to remove paint? )

 

Environmentally Friendly Paint Stripping

 

Therefore, finding a safer, more environmentally friendly, and compliant paint stripper is urgent and necessary. In this regard, we recommend using environmentally friendly paint strippers, which are water-based alkaline or acidic stripping concentrates that do not contain dichloromethane or other harmful substances and can be diluted with water for use. It has the following advantages:

 

• It is suitable for all common coatings on various substrates, including synthetic resins, electrostatic coatings, polyester powder coatings, oil carbon, etc., and is also suitable for sensitive surfaces such as wood, aluminum, zinc, etc.
• It can be used in different operations such as immersion, spraying, or brushing, and can be operated at room temperature or heated, with paint removal time ranging from 10-60 minutes depending on the type and thickness of the coating.
• It removes coatings layer by layer through dissolution, penetration, swelling, etc., and can be directly removed or filtered, extending the use time and effectiveness of the solution.
• It does not corrode or damage metals, nor does it cause expansion or deformation of wood, restoring the original color of the metal surface or wood grain.
• It does not produce toxic or flammable gases, nor does it pollute the environment, complies with EU REACH regulations, and does not contain NMP, NEP, and other SVHC substances.
• Its transportation and disposal are relatively simple and safe, and it is not classified as hazardous or harmful.

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▲Environmentally friendly paint stripping helps replace traditional organic chloride solvent methods

 

Paint Stripping Selection

 

There are various types and forms of environmentally friendly paint strippers, which can be selected according to different needs and applications. If classified by pH, they can generally be divided into strong alkaline paint strippers, weak alkaline paint strippers, neutral paint strippers, and acidic paint strippers. Depending on factors such as the type of coating, process, thickness, and substrate, suitable paint strippers and operating conditions can be selected. For example, for aluminum wheels or aluminum castings, which are sensitive to acidity and alkalinity, a weak alkaline or neutral paint stripper may be chosen to avoid damaging the substrate.

 

	E 230	CE 810	E 162	CE  800	504	CLS800	B 42	B 73
Form	Liquid	Liquid	Liquid	Liquid	Liquid	Liquid	Paste	Paste
Formula Type	Strong alkaline paint stripper	Strong alkaline paint stripper	Weak alkaline paint stripper	Weak alkaline paint stripper	Acidic paint stripper	Neutral paint stripper	Neutral paint stripper	Acidic paint stripper
Usage Method	Immersion	Immersion	Immersion, spraying	Immersion, spraying	Immersion	Immersion	Coating	Coating
Reaction Temperature	60-80	60-80	20-50 60-80	50-80	Room temperature	Room temperature	Room temperature	Room temperature
Applicable Materials	Stainless steel, iron	Stainless steel, iron	Aluminum alloy,copper, other light metals	Molybdenum steel, aluminum alloy	Stainless steel, iron	Plastic	Most metals, wood, carbon fiber	Stainless steel, iron, carbon fiber
Paint Removal Method	Dissolution paint stripping	Dissolution paint stripping	Dissolution paint stripping	Flake removal	Flake removal	Flake removal	Small fragment	Small fragment removal
Application Examples	PVD coatings	Molybdenum steel coatings (silicon dioxide, alumina, magnesium fluoride)	Aluminum wheels, aluminum castings	Aluminum wheels, aluminum castings	Coating fixtures, jigs	Bumpers, crash bars	Wooden monuments, buildings	Bicycle frames, server chassis

 

(Extended Reading: Paint removal example ~ Actual measurement of two PVD vacuum coating stripping methods!! Replace sandblasting!! )

 

▲Dissolution-type paint strippers cause paint precipitation at the bottom (right), while another type of paint strippers causes flake-like peeling (left).

 

Conclusion

 

In summary, environmentally friendly paint strippers are a safer, more environmentally friendly, and compliant paint stripping solution compared to traditional dichloromethane paint strippers. It can effectively remove various coatings on various substrates without harming human health and the environment. If you want to improve the working environment, reduce factory risks, and enhance product quality, we recommend trying environmentally friendly paint stripping methods. We believe you will be satisfied with our products and services.