5 Best Latex Paint Strippers

If you are working on renovating your house or have a project that you are upcycling then the chances are that you will need a latex paint stripper to get rid of any paint before applying your new coats.

However, latex paint strippers can be full of an array of chemicals so you want to make sure that you are selecting a product that is going to work properly and not cause any damage to the surface.

With so many options on the market, it may seem confusing to know which one is the right one for you but we have gathered the best on the market so you don’t have to. Whether you are working on a smaller project or a larger surface area, there are options for you.

Don’t have time to read the full article? Find out our top pick here:

Citristrip QCSG801 Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel

Our top pick is the Citristrip QCSG801 Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel which is incredibly easy to use. Simply apply and let it take effect.

It stays wet and activated for 24 hours and then strips multiple layers in one step meaning that you are saving money and time from having to purchase additional products and more strippers to get through single layers.

You can remove dried latex and oil based paints, varnish, lacquer, polyurethane and shellac with ease meaning you can use it on the majority of projects in the home with ease.

What makes this our winner? It can be used on an array of surfaces and strips multiple layers from wood, metal and masonry surfaces making it extremely versatile for a variety of projects inside and outside the home.

This stripper contains no methylene chloride or NMP meaning that there is little odor and it isn’t as harmful to surfaces as other paint strippers are.

Top 5 Latex Paint Strippers

Citristrip QCSG801 Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel

Our top recommendation is the Citristrip QCSG801 Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel which is great if you have projects that you want to complete quickly.

Easy to use and apply, this stripping gel stays wet and active for up to 24 hours and strips away multiple layers in one step, saving you extra money and time from having to reapply the stripper in between coats.

This can strip away multiple layers of paint from wood, metal and masonry surfaces which makes it extremely versatile.

This paint stripper is great for all kinds of projects and can remove latex and oil based paints as well as varnish, lacquer, polyurethane and shellac making it extremely great for a variety of projects around the home.

With a formula that contains no methylene chloride or NMP, this stripper isn’t harmful and has little odor making it convenient for family households.

PROS

• Easy to use and apply, this stripping gel stays wet and active for up to 24 hours and strips away multiple layers in one step
• This can strip away multiple layers of paint from wood, metal and masonry surfaces which makes it extremely versatile
• With a formula that contains no methylene chloride or NMP, this stripper isn’t harmful and has little odor making it convenient for family households

CONS

• Doesn’t cover a lot of area as other products on the market

Goof Off Household Heavy Duty Remover

Our second selection is the Goof Off Household Heavy Duty Remover which works the first time and can cut through a variety of tough spots and stains quickly.

Ideal for projects that need to be completed to a deadline, this paint stripper is great as it removes all of the difficult messes and mistakes that ordinary cleaners aren’t capable of.

Safe to use on a variety of surfaces including plastic, fabrics and clothing, this is ideal for smaller projects and comes in a variety of sizes.

This is one of the most convenient strippers in terms of the time it takes to penetrate through the coatings. Easy to wash off if applied incorrectly, Goof Off is an incredibly popular brand thanks to the high quality ingredients included in their removers.

The heavy duty nature of this product means that it can be applied to a variety of materials and surfaces without risking any damage.

PROS

• Ideal for projects that need to be completed to a deadline, this paint stripper is great as it removes all of the difficult messes and mistakes that ordinary cleaners aren’t capable of
• Easy to wash off if applied incorrectly, Goof Off is an incredibly popular brand thanks to the high quality ingredients included in their removers
• The heavy duty nature of this product means that it can be applied to a variety of materials and surfaces without risking any damage

CONS

• Has a strong odor

Motsenbocker’s Lift Off 41301 22-Ounce Latex Paint Remover

Our third choice is the Motsenbocker’s Lift Off 41301 22-Ounce Latex Paint Remover which helps to safely remove latex paint specifically thanks to the patented, water based Enviro Science formula which can remove both old and new latex paint, acrylics, latex enamels, stencil paints among many more materials.

It can work on multiple surfaces including fiberglass, tools, carpet, brick, upholstery, spray equipment, brushes, clothing and vehicles to name a few making it extremely versatile.

It is a safer alternative to harsh chemicals thanks to the water based formula that is biodegradable as well as a low VOC.

This is a great paint stripper for repairing damaged materials as well as renovating and can also be used to clean paint rollers, brushes, splatters, spills and pans making it multi purpose during your projects as well.

Made in the USA, this product has been made to the highest standard to ensure product quality as well as integrating the most superior ingredients.

PROS

• It can work on multiple surfaces including fiberglass, tools, carpet, brick, upholstery, spray equipment, brushes, clothing and vehicles to name a few making it extremely versatile
• It is a safer alternative to harsh chemicals thanks to the water based formula that is biodegradable as well as a low VOC
• Made in the USA, this product has been made to the highest standard to ensure product quality as well as integrating the most superior ingredients

CONS

• It does have a strong odor

Dumond Chemicals, Inc. 3332 Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover

Our penultimate selection is the Dumond Chemicals, Inc. 3332 Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover which is made from a biodegradable formula which makes it safe for the user, substrate and environment.

It can remove multiple layers within the one step and it is odor free water based made with advanced technology to ensure that it removes paint effectively.

This paint stripper has been formulated without any methylene chloride and is also non-carcinogenic meaning that there aren’t as many harmful chemicals as others on the market.

This paint stripper is ideal for those who need to strip away multiple coats of paint as this water based stripper will effectively remove up to 15 coats in one job.

This remover is odor free, user friendly, 100% biodegradable and pH neutral which is great if the project is in a family household. There is also no need to neutralize the stripped surface before reapplying paint meaning that you are saving a lot of money.

PROS

• It can remove multiple layers within the one step and it is odor free water based made with advanced technology to ensure that it removes paint effectively
• This paint stripper has been formulated without any methylene chloride and is also non-carcinogenic
• This remover is odor free, user friendly, 100% biodegradable and pH neutral which is great if the project is in a family household

CONS

• It is quite thin so you will need a bit more to spare

Sunnyside Corporation 65664 Hi-Speed Ready-Strip Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover

Our final choice is the Sunnyside Corporation 65664 Hi-Speed Ready-Strip Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover which is capable of removing up to 3 layers of oil or water based coating in one step making it highly convenient.

The no drip formula means that removing paint is incredibly easy and there is little to no damage on neighboring surfaces making it ideal for both small or large surface areas.

The stripper clings to vertical surfaces meaning that you don’t have to worry about any unevenness in distribution and it also stays wet for longer periods of time to allow the stripper to activate and penetrate the paint layers thoroughly.

What makes this paint stripper a great choice is how quick it takes to activate. It starts to work within 30 minutes which is ideal for people who are working on a project for a deadline and want to get the job done as fast as possible.

If you do make a mistake whilst applying the paint stripper then don’t worry as it can easily be cleaned up with water and then reapplied shortly after.

PROS

• Capable of removing up to 3 layers of oil or water based coating in one step making it highly convenient
• The stripper clings to vertical surfaces meaning that you don’t have to worry about any unevenness in distribution and it also stays wet for longer periods of time to allow the stripper to activate
• It starts to work within 30 minutes which is ideal for people who are working on a project for a deadline and want to get the job done as fast as possible

CONS

• High price point

Buyer’s Guide

When researching what paint stripper is best, there are many factors that you need to consider before you make your final decision. Always think about the surface being stripped, how much paint is being stripped and your budget.

Once you’ve taken all of these aspects into consideration, you’ll be in a position where you can make a decision that you are confident with and know what to expect.

Surface being stripped

The material that you are stripping the paint from is the most important aspect to consider. This is because you want to minimize any damage from being caused to the material as any imperfections will show through the new coat of paint.

If you are working with a wooden surface, always double check to make sure that the stripper you choose isn’t going to inflict any damage.

How much paint is being stripped

The next thing to think about is how much paint is being stripped. Always consider whether you are working on a smaller project or a larger surface area such as a wall. This will determine how much stripper you need to complete the job.

This way, you’re not going to end up with too much or too little.

Budget

Lastly, think about your budget. Strippers are available at various price points and as you can see from the recommendations from our guide, there are many accessible options to suit smaller budgets as well as plenty of options for those who want to splurge on the project.

You want to make sure that you’re not compromising your bank account while also being assured that the stripper is going to fulfil the project at hand.

If you want to know about the best paint stripper for concrete, visit here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest way to remove latex paint?

The most popular method for removing latex paint is alcohol. Solvents in latex paint strippers contain various types of alcohol which is the best as this will reduce any damage that potentially comes with rubbing alcohol.

Will rubbing alcohol damage wall paint?

Depending on the surface that you are applying the rubbing alcohol to, it can cause damage due to the concentration.

If possible, avoid using rubbing alcohol on materials such as varnished surfaces such as treated woods as this can cause damage to the material.