Page 31 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

Paint stripping agents
Paint strippers are designed to dissolve paints that are not water soluble, particularly gloss paints.
The most commonly used solvent for this purpose
is dichloromethane. Commercial paint strippers mainly use a mixture containing dichloromethane and a gelling agent (whose function is to keep the dichloromethane in contact with paint long enough for the solvent action to work). It is applied to the
surface of the paint, which is
first softened, then dissolved.
The solvent may require many hours before it completely dissolves the paint, especially
in cold conditions. Then the dissolved paint can simply be wiped off. Because the solvent is in contact with the outside
of the paint only, premature removal of the solvent leaves behind undissolved paint.
 Paint stripper being used to remove old paint.
detergent: a petroleum-based chemical that removes dirt.
gelling agent: a semi-solid jelly-like substance.
hydrocarbon: a compound in which only hydrogen and carbon atoms are present. Most fuels are hydrocarbons, as is the simple plastic polyethene (known as polythene).
solvent: the main substance in a solution (e.g. water in salt water).
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 A representation of dichloromethane.