11 Best Paint Strippers For Metal | Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Metal furniture with old and rusted paints can ruin your entire house’s décor, so stripping off the paint is your only solution under these circumstances. 

No matter how good the paint is, it’ll start fading and peeling off from metal surfaces over time. While sanding and scraping is the most common method of stripping off fading paint, they can ruin the underlying furniture surface. Not to mention, the process can be labor-intensive, time-consuming, and downright frustrating. 

Using a chemical paint stripper can make the job almost effortless without damaging the metal furnishing or making you pull your hair out. But, selecting the best paint stripper that’s effective and yet has a relatively less toxic profile is no walk in the park. 

Today, we’ll review some of the best paint strippers for metal surfaces to help you make the right choice. So, without any further ado, let’s get right to it! 

Best Paint Stripper for Metal Reviews

There are a variety of paint strippers available on the market, each designed to work on different surfaces and materials. To help you find the best paint stripper for metal, we’ve put together a list of our top 12 picks. Here’s the list of the 11 best paint strippers for metal.

1. Citristrip Paint And Varnish Stripping Gel – Best Versatility

The Citristrip paint and varnish stripping gel is known for its efficiency in stripping off most paint stains from old metal furnishing. It doesn’t contain toxic chemicals that can lead to fatal health issues. So, using this stripping gel, you can remove paint from any metal furniture without going through the hassle of scraping and sanding. 

If you are looking for a paint stripper that causes no toxic fumes and has no harsh chemicals, such as NMP or methylene chloride, the Citristrip stripping gel is an excellent pick. Thanks to its mellow chemical profile, you need not worry about facing any health and safety issues while using it to remove old furniture paints. 

But, don’t get fooled by its mild chemical composition because the stripping gel can effectively remove dried latex, oil-based paint, lacquer, varnish, shellac, and polyurethane. You can also use it on multiple layers, including metal and wood. 

On top of this, when it comes to metal surfaces, you’ll find the effects of this paint stripper hard to beat. It stays wet and active for up to 24 hours, offering sufficient time to strip off old paint or varnishes from your metal furnishing in one go with minimum effort. 

Even though the Citristrip stripping gel works like a charm in removing paint, it leaves behind an unpleasant chemical odor long after the metal has been cleaned. Some customers have complained that the foul odor stayed even after repainting the furniture. Thus, you might need to look for a different option if you can’t get over the odor problem. 

2. Dumond Smart Strip Paint Remover – Best Eco-Friendly

If you’re looking for a paint stripper that doesn’t require any neutralization of the stripped metal surface, the Dumond Smart Strip advanced paint remover can be the best pick. It is fume-free and causes no harmful smells, unlike the caustic paint strippers. You can safely remove all types of paint, whether acrylic or latex. 

The Dumond Smart Strip paint remover has a safe and biodegradable water-based formula, making it completely non-toxic. It contains no harmful chemicals or caustics that can cause harsh fumes and foul odor. Not just this, it is also non-carcinogenic without a trace of methylene chloride in its formula. 

You can use this paint stripper to remove any paints manufactured after the 1980s, including oil, latex, and acrylic paints or coatings. Moreover, it’s easy to use, and you don’t need to neutralize the stripped surface afterward. Simply apply the paint remover on the paint surface, let it set, and then rinse it off thoroughly. 

Not to mention, it’s strong enough to remove up to 15 coats of paint. It’s also pH-neutral, so you don’t need to worry about ruining your metal furniture due to using this paint remover. 

The Dumond paint stripper works best on post-1980 paints, so it might not be very effective in removing old linseed oil-based paints. Furthermore, you can’t use it to strip off any epoxy resin additive from your metal furniture while refurbishing and repainting it. 

3. Sunnyside Multi-Strip Paint & Varnish Remover – Best For Vertical Application

The Sunnyside Multi-strip works as a paint and varnish stripper to remove multiple layers of coatings without damaging the metal surface. You can use it on exterior and interior surfaces without the trouble of scraping or sanding. It starts working within 30 minutes and can get the job done effortlessly. 

The Sunnyside paint and varnish remover comes with a safe, low-odor formula with no harsh chemicals or volatile organic compounds, including methylene chloride and NMP. Its fast activation time also ensures that you can remove up to 15 layers of paints, varnishes, epoxies, or urethane within 24 hours. 

Furthermore, it offers an excellent coverage area of 60 to 100 square feet per gallon to finish the job without a hitch. The no-drip formula also ensures that the paint remover adheres to vertical surfaces and does not cause any mess. 

It’s pretty easy to apply, and you can use a brush, putty knife, or paint roller. On top of this, it’s water-soluble, which makes the cleanup process fairly straightforward. 

Compared to other paint strippers, the Sunnyside multi-strip paint remover is a bit more expensive. If you are running on a tight budget for refurbishing your metal furniture, it might not be the best choice, even though it delivers excellent results. 

4. Safe ‘n Easy Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover Gel – Best Water-Based Non-Drip

Next, we bring you the Safe n’ Easy paint remover gel that has a water-based gel formula and clings to multiple surfaces. You can remove multiple paint layers using this eco-friendly paint stripper without experiencing any health hazards. Thus, it makes stripping paint and varnishes from any metal surface easier than ever before. 

Whether you want to remove a thick layer of paint or persistent epoxy stains, the Safe n’ Easy citrus paint stripper is there to save your day. With no NMP or methylene chloride, its non-toxic formula shows superior professional strength and strips more than 15 layers of paints or varnishes from different surfaces, including metal, wood, fiberglass, and other masonry surfaces. 

It works best on all oil-based and latex paints from the post-1980s without giving off any harsh and toxic odor. The natural and refreshing citrus aroma makes the paint-stripping gel even more attractive than other paint removers. 

Furthermore, it is specially designed for DIY homeowners, so you can use it all by yourself without hiring a professional to refurbish and paint the metal furnishing. So, remove paint and varnishes with ease using the Safe n’ Easy stripper gel. 

Although this paint and varnish remover gel works well in removing multiple layers of paints and other coatings, the gel formula makes it quite gooey and sticky. You might need to go the extra mile to clean and rinse it because using only water might not cut it, so the cleanup process can be cumbersome. 

5. Sunnyside Corporation Ready-Strip Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover – Best For Convenience

The Sunnyside Ready-Strip paint and varnish remover comes in a convenient spray bottle, making its application almost effortless. It contains no harsh chemicals and leaves behind a refreshing citrus odor on the metal surface. Also, its fast activation time will allow you to finish the job within four hours or less. 

The Sunnyside Ready-Strip paint remover works beautifully on oil and water-based paints, so you can use it to remove acrylics, latex, and oil paints. It works faster than ordinary paint strippers and can remove multiple layers of paint and varnishes within a few hours. 

On top of this, the non-drip formula allows you to apply it on vertical surfaces without causing a mess. Even if it gets messy, the cleanup is pretty simple with water. Furthermore, since the paint stripper doesn’t contain NMP and methylene chloride, it’s safe for you and the environment. 

Not only is it safe, but it’s also super easy to apply, thanks to the handy spray bottle. Generously spray the paint remover on the metal surface, let it set, and clean it off with a paint scraper to get the best results. Thus, it’s faster, safer, and so much easier. 

The biggest drawback of this paint remover is its strength in stripping off the paint layers. While most paint strippers can remove around 15 layers of paint and coatings, this paint remover can remove only three paint layers on the best day. 

6. Motsenbocker’s Lift-Off Latex Paint Remover Spray

Moving on, we have the Motsenbocker’s Lift Off paint remover specially formulated to safely remove latex paints, stencil paints, and acrylics without causing any health hazards. It is excellent for paint cleanups without damaging the metal surface compared to caustic strippers. Thus, you can effortlessly remove latex paints without losing the luster and quality of your metal furniture. 

When it comes to low-VOC paint strippers, Motsenbecker’s latex paint remover sits right at the top of the pile, owing to its patented Enviro Science formula. It’s also water-based and biodegradable, making it completely safe and eco-friendly. So, you can say goodbye to harsh chemicals, like methylene chloride, with this paint stripper. 

Speaking of safety, the product is surface-safe and can be an ideal option for easy paint cleanup without ruining the underlying surface. You can conveniently strip off multiple layers of latex paint using paint rollers, brushes, or scrapers while the metal surface remains as good as new. 

The patented formula also offers superior professional strength, allowing the paint stripper to break the molecular bond between the paint and the surface effortlessly. It’s formulated with superior ingredients to make the entire paint removal process hassle-free. 

The versatility of the Motsenbecker’s Lift Off paint remover is limited because you cannot use it to remove oil-based paints, varnishes, or stubborn epoxy stains. It only works on latex and acrylic paints and might not be the best choice for multipurpose applications. 

7. Confined Space Paint Strip Gel

Made in the USA, this paint strip gel from Confined Space is formulated for both DIY and professional projects and can remove more than 20 layers of paint and other coatings in one application. You can apply it on steel and cast iron surfaces, and the results will amaze you. 

When it comes to removing multiple paint layers, there are only a few paint strippers that can beat the strength of the Confined Space paint strip gel. It can easily remove multiple layers of paint from metal, including aluminum, steel, and cast iron. 

The non-toxic water-based formula also ensures that you don’t encounter any toxic fumes or health hazards while applying it, unlike the caustic paint removers. In fact, the citrusy lime formula leaves behind a refreshing and natural aroma. Additionally, it contains no harmful organic solvents like NMP or methylene chloride. 

It works like a charm in closed and confined spaces, so you can easily apply it while refurbishing your indoor metal furniture or metal closets and cabinets. The non-drip gel formula also ensures that it doesn’t create a mess inside your rooms on application. 

Many old paints are lead-based, and this paint remover can’t work on these paints while you are refurbishing your metal furniture. Furthermore, it won’t work on stripping off primers from metal or other surfaces, so it won’t be of much help if your metal furnishing has an old primer base. 

8. Evapo-Rust Safe-Erase Paint & Varnish Remover Gel

The Safe-Erase paint remover gel from Evapo-Rust uses new-age powerful solvents without the chemical and health hazards of organic solvents. Its advanced formulation ensures the removal of multiple layers of paint in a few easy steps without any scraping or sanding. Now you can enjoy easy paint removal without suffering any harmful effects. 

The advanced formulation of the Evapo-Rust paint and varnish remover gel contains powerful yet non-toxic solvents for removing paints, latex enamels, varnishes, epoxies, and even powder coatings. It has no NMP, methylene chloride, or caustic alkalis, making it 100% non-carcinogenic and non-acidic. 

Not to mention, its fast action formula also ensures that you can remove paint and varnish layers within one hour while maintaining the natural luster of the metal surface. You can also apply the paint remover gel in three easy steps. 

Simply apply one coat of the paint stripper to the surface and leave it for an hour until the old paint bubbles up completely. Then, gently scrape off the paint using a spatula or a putty knife. Hence, the product ensures safe, fast, and effortless paint removal. 

The Safe-Erase paint and varnish remover is not designed for heavy-duty uses and might not be strong enough to remove thick paint or varnish layers. You can apply it to remove a thin layer of paint for DIY projects, but it won’t be very suitable for professional uses. 

9. Klean Strip Premium Aerosol Stripper

The Klean Strip aerosol paint remover comes with a non-methylene chloride formula and can remove multiple layers of paints, epoxies, and polyurethanes from metal within hours. You can also easily apply it anywhere in your house, especially in small spaces, to remove unwanted paint stains, thanks to its convenient spray bottle. 

This spray paint stripper from Klean Strip is highly versatile as it can remove latex and oil-based paints, epoxies, and polyurethane from metal, wood, and masonry surfaces. Its fast action time also makes it one of the best paint removers on the market. 

Once you apply the stripper to the painted surface, it starts acting within minutes and gets the job done in a jiffy. With this aerosol paint remover, you don’t need to wait for hours to refurbish your metal furniture or cabinets. The super handy spray bottle also makes it much easier to apply the paint stripper in small areas. 

You can remove even the most stubborn paint stains by letting the aerosol paint remover do its job. It works well on stripping off paint and other coatings from surfaces, like kitchen sinks, ovens, and much more. Remember to clean the spray nozzle from time to time, and you’ll be good to go. 

Even though this aerosol paint stripper is methylene chloride-free, it can cause harmful vapor buildups if the room is not well-ventilated. On top of this, it is highly flammable, so you need to keep it away from all ignition sources and electrical outlets to avoid fire hazards. 

10. Rust-Oleum Aircraft Remover

When we talk about the best paint removers, the Rust-Oleum aircraft remover deserves special mention because of its professional-grade quality and superior strength. As an aerosol paint remover, it’s ideal for heavy-duty uses and starts showing its actions within minutes. The non-methylene chloride formula also makes it much safer than solvent strippers. 

The product is excellent at removing all types of finishes, starting from paints to epoxies, without corroding the underlying metal. Since the paint stripper is surface-safe, it’s perfect for removing old paint from your truck, car, kitchen cabinets, and much more. 

Once you apply the paint stripper, it starts acting on the paint layers within 45 minutes to offer fast and effective removal of paint and other coatings. Moreover, the non-drip formula allows you to easily use it on vertical or inclined surfaces without creating a mess. Thanks to its gel-like texture, it adheres well to such surfaces to avoid dripping. 

The non-methylene chloride formula also ensures that you don’t encounter any fatal carcinogenic effects upon exposure to the paint stripper for a long time. Thus, you can safely and efficiently remove paint and other coatings using this aerosol paint stripper. 

The superior professional strength of this Rust-Oleum paint remover comes with the heavy cost of strong and unpleasant odors that can cause health and safety risks. So, you need to keep the room well-ventilated while using this paint stripper to avoid the buildup of any odor. 

11. KBS Strip Paint Remover

KBS Strip can be an excellent choice if you are looking for a powerful and heavy-duty varnish and paint remover. You can remove paint stains and varnishes from metal and other surfaces effortlessly using this product. The low-odor technology also ensures that the paint stripper doesn’t leave any strong and unwanted odors behind. 

This KBS Strip paint stripper is specially designed for heavy-duty uses and can remove thick layers of paint and varnishes without damaging the underlying surface. In fact, it works quite well in protecting metal, masonry, and wood surfaces from staining or rusting. 

On top of this, the paint stripper offers a semi-gel coat for fast and easy coverage to remove stubborn paint stains from large surfaces without much hassle. It creates an even and unbroken film that allows deep penetration of the paint remover through multiple layers of paint. Thus, it can effortlessly break down the molecular bond between the surface and paint layers. 

Furthermore, the non-drip formula helps it cling to vertical and inclined surfaces without sagging or becoming runny. So, you can apply this paint remover on metal cabinets or furniture to easily strip off the old paint. 

The KBS paint remover cannot strip off enamel paints from your cars, trucks, or other surfaces. Moreover, it might not be suitable for removing old stains from tank sealers and might end up creating only a gooey residue when applied to those surfaces. 

Best Paint Strippers for Metal Comparison Table

Buying Guide for The Best Paint Stripper for Metal

1. Type

While choosing the best paint remover, you need to consider the different types of paint strippers, such as solvent, caustic, biochemical, and eco-friendly paint strippers. Solvents are usually the strongest and most common type of paint strippers, but they contain high VOCs, making them greatly carcinogenic and toxic. 

On the other hand, a caustic paint stripper is highly alkaline and changes the chemical composition of the paint to remove it effortlessly. However, on the downside, the high alkaline pH of caustic strippers can corrode and damage the underlying surface. In contrast, biochemical paint strippers are much less toxic and harsh, but they don’t work on epoxy and polyurethanes. 

Your safest option is to go for eco-friendly paint strippers with low VOCs because they are powerful, highly versatile, and don’t cause any health or environmental hazards. They might take a bit more time to show their actions, but they work beautifully on different surfaces without any damage or corrosion. 

2. Safety

Maintaining health and safety should be your primary concern while using a paint stripper. Avoid choosing paint strippers that can cause serious health hazards to your family or pets. In this context, it’s best to look for high-quality biochemical or eco-friendly paint strippers that are much safer compared to caustic or solvent strippers. 

Furthermore, make sure to keep the room well-ventilated while applying the paint stripper to avoid the buildup of harsh fumes. All paint strippers are more or less hazardous, so wear chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, protective clothes, and a respirator while using them. 

3. Application

Ease of application is another important factor to consider while choosing the best paint stripper so that you can easily perform home DIY projects without hiring a professional. You can look for paint strippers having a non-drip formula for you to easily apply them on vertical and inclined surfaces without any dripping. 

In this context, eco-friendly stripper gels can be your best pick. Moreover, it’s best to choose paint strippers that you can apply using a paintbrush or paint roller by yourself and won’t need to waste money on contacting a professional paint contractor. 

How do chemical paint strippers work?

Chemical paint strippers work by breaking the molecular bond between the paint and the underlying surface. The activation time of different paint strippers can vary based on their strengths, but once they start acting, you can see the paint bubbling up. After the paint stops bubbling and the stripper has dried up completely, you can easily strip off the paint layer using a paint scraper.

What are low-VOC paint strippers?

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are toxic chemicals present in paint strippers that are highly carcinogenic and cause harmful fumes. The paint strippers that contain VOCs within the legal limits are safe for you and the environment. So, you can avoid health and safety issues by choosing low-VOC paint strippers. 

How can you safely dispose of paint strippers?

  Chemical paint strippers are hazardous substances, so you can’t throw them in a regular trash chain or flush them down the drain. You must cover the empty container with paper or plastic wrap to properly dispose of it at a hazardous waste facility. 

How can you remove paint stripper residues?

While you can use water to remove water-based pair strippers, you might need to apply some

Conclusion

Choosing the right paint stripper for metal surfaces can significantly affect the final outcome of your refinishing project. A great paint stripper should not only remove layers of paint and varnish effectively but also maintain the integrity of the metal surface while being user-friendly and safe for the environment.

Based on our analysis and extensive testing, we have narrowed down the top five paint strippers for different purposes.

From the list of 12 paint strippers, here are the top five expert recommendations:

1. Citristrip Paint And Varnish Stripping Gel is an ideal option for those seeking a versatile and non-toxic paint stripper that works on various layers and surfaces while staying active for up to 24 hours.
2. Dumond Smart Strip Paint Remover is a good option for users who prioritize eco-friendliness and odor-free application. This water-based formula safely removes multiple layers of paint without requiring neutralization after use.
3. Sunnyside Multi-Strip Paint & Varnish Remover is the right choice for those looking for a powerful paint stripper that adheres to vertical surfaces and offers an excellent coverage area while maintaining a safe, low-odor formula.
4. Safe ‘n Easy Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover Gel is an ideal option for DIY homeowners in need of a water-based, non-drip gel formula that showcases superior professional strength in removing multiple layers of paint and varnish.
5. Sunnyside Corporation Ready-Strip Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover is a good option for those seeking a convenient spray application that adheres to vertical surfaces and works quickly on oil and water-based paints.

It is essential to assess your specific requirements, budget and intended use before making a final decision. By selecting one of our top recommended paint strippers, you can ensure a successful and hassle-free refinishing project while caring for your health and the environment.

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