Paint stripper, varnish remover and epoxy remover for refinishing furniture, doors, trim, metal and decks. Every stripper here is free of methylene chloride. This page compares them with the work time, surfaces and finishes each maker lists on its label or data sheet, so you can pick the right one before you start scraping.
Pick by the job. For indoor furniture and multiple layers at a slow, forgiving pace, use CitriStrip Paint and Varnish Stripping Gel; it stays wet up to 24 hours. For fast, strong stripping of paint, varnish and epoxy, use Jasco Premium Paint and Epoxy Remover (brush-on quart) or the Jasco aerosol for spindles and small vertical parts. For a fast gel that starts working in about 2 minutes, use Sunnyside 2 Minute Advanced Remover. For oil-based deck and fence stain outdoors, use Penofin Pro-Tech Wood Stripper.
Compare paint strippers
| Stripper |
Removes and surfaces (maker) |
Sizes here |
Work time and use (maker label or sheet) |
| Jasco Premium Paint and Epoxy Remover |
Paint, varnish, lacquer, shellac, epoxy, urethane and latex on wood, metal, concrete and masonry; non-methylene chloride semi-paste that clings to vertical surfaces; water rinsable |
Quart (brush-on), 16 oz aerosol
|
Label: latex strips 5 layers in 15 minutes, oil and alkyd 5 layers in 45 minutes. Brush a thick coat on up to a 3 by 3 ft area, test scrape after 15 minutes. Use with strong ventilation; do not use to strip bathtubs; label says not for sale or use in California |
| CitriStrip Paint and Varnish Stripping Gel |
Dried latex and oil-based paint, varnish, lacquer, polyurethane and shellac on wood, metal and masonry; no methylene chloride or NMP; citrus scent |
Half gallon (64 oz) |
Klean-Strip spec sheet HCSG803: stays wet and active up to 24 hours; removes 5 layers of dried latex paint in under an hour; test scrape after 30 minutes, or cover with plastic to strip overnight; Klean-Strip says it is safe for indoor use |
| Sunnyside 2 Minute Advanced Remover |
Latex and oil paint, lacquer, shellac, varnish, epoxy and polyurethane on wood, metal, masonry, marine and automotive finishes; methylene chloride free semi-paste that clings to rounded and vertical surfaces |
Quart |
Sunnyside: begins working in about 2 minutes and softens tougher coatings in 5 to 10 minutes; removes multiple layers in one application; will not harm wood or corrode metal, but lightens wood stain. Flammable; use outdoors or with good ventilation |
| Penofin Pro-Tech Wood Stripper (Step 1) |
Oil and latex finishes on exterior wood, composite and concrete; does not remove water-based or resin-based finishes; zero VOC, biodegradable, nonflammable |
Quart, Gallon
|
Penofin data sheet (2023): about 75 sq ft per quart and 175 sq ft per gallon. Wet the wood, apply generously, keep wet 15 to 30 minutes, scrub with a non-metallic brush and rinse with a hose; follow with Pro-Tech Cleaner (Step 2) and Brightener (Step 3) |
| 3M stripping pads |
Abrasive pads for lifting softened finish and cleaning residue after a stripper |
Paint and Varnish Stripping Pad, 4-3/8 in, Contour Surface Stripping Pads, 2-pack
|
Use with the stripper's own cleanup step; Jasco says to finish with an abrasive pad dipped in after wash or mineral spirits |
Paint stripper FAQ
What is the best paint stripper for furniture indoors?
For most indoor furniture, start with CitriStrip. Klean-Strip says it is safe for indoor use, has no methylene chloride or NMP, and stays wet up to 24 hours, so you can strip several layers in one pass without racing the clock. It is slower than the solvent strippers: check it after 30 minutes. Jasco and Sunnyside work faster but are flammable solvent strippers that need strong ventilation, which makes them better for the garage or outdoors.
Jasco or CitriStrip?
Both are Klean-Strip products. Jasco Premium Paint and Epoxy Remover is the fast, strong one: latex comes off in about 15 minutes and oil paint in about 45, and it is rated for epoxy, concrete and masonry. CitriStrip is the slower citrus-scented gel for indoor work and multi-layer furniture jobs, and its current sheet does not list epoxy.
What removes epoxy paint?
Jasco Premium Paint and Epoxy Remover lists epoxy and urethane on wood, metal, concrete and masonry, and Sunnyside 2 Minute Advanced Remover lists epoxy finishes on wood, metal, masonry, marine and automotive surfaces. Test a small area first and reapply for thick or stubborn coats.
How long do I leave paint stripper on?
Follow the maker's test time. Jasco: test scrape after 15 minutes; oil-based paint can take about 45. Sunnyside 2 Minute: starts in about 2 minutes, 5 to 10 for tougher finishes. CitriStrip: test after 30 minutes and up to 24 hours, covered with plastic if you leave it overnight. Do not let a solvent stripper dry out on the surface; scrape while the finish is soft.
How do I strip a deck or fence?
Use Penofin Pro-Tech Wood Stripper for oil-based and latex deck and fence finishes on wood, composite or concrete. Penofin says it will not remove water-based or resin-based products; for those it recommends a general wood or acrylic stripper. After rinsing, follow with Pro-Tech Cleaner (Step 2) and Pro-Tech Brightener (Step 3) before you re-stain. Pressure washing is not recommended. More deck prep is on deck stain and cleaners.
What do I do after stripping, before stain or paint?
Jasco says to go over the stripped surface with a clean abrasive pad dipped in after wash or mineral spirits to lift the last of the finish and residue, and to make sure the surface is completely clean and dry before refinishing. Use a plastic scraper with the grain, and a stripping brush or toothbrush in carvings. Then sand, stain and topcoat; see wood stain and polyurethane for wood.
Can I use paint stripper on a bathtub, plastic or wallpaper?
Not on a bathtub: the Jasco label says do not use it to strip bathtubs. Strippers can damage plastics and other synthetic surfaces, so test an inconspicuous spot first. For wallpaper, use a wallpaper remover such as Zinsser DIF Wallpaper Stripper Gel instead.
Shop more surface prep on prep and patch, or shop all Klean-Strip.
