Uses And Types Of Paint Strippers

Paint stripping compositions are used widely in industrial applications to remove paint from surfaces.. . The function of paint is to protect a painted surface such as that of an aircraft from ravages of weather and time. A paint stripper removes paint so that the surface can be painted with a fresh coat of paint. It removes a variety of paints without harming the underlying surface.

Paint stripping is done because the painted surface may peel, flake or age on account of time and requires to be repainted. It is a very essential exercise which needs to be periodically carried out on aircraft. An effective aircraft paint stripper must remove multiple layers of paint in a single application.

Paint strippers used to contain toxic methylene chloride and posed a hazard to to human health and the environment. New paint stripper formulations are less toxic, alkaline in nature, bio-degradable and environment friendly.

Present paint stripping combinations can be used properly on zinc plated steel, galvanized steel, aluminum and its alloys, magnesium alloys, and wood. A variety of paints are strippable with formulations containing oil base alkyd, latex paints,enamels, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers, and polyurethanes.

Most of the paint strippers contain thickeners, corrosion inhibitors, surfactants, fragrances and coloring agents. A paint stripper should be easily applicable by brush or an air spray.. It also helps to prevent excess wastewater and reduces the cost of waste disposal. It does not require elaborate containment systems.

A good paint stripper helps in easy clean up and low cost. An aircraft paint stripper must be formulated and used keeping in mind the guidelines of the EPA. A paint stripper must be water based, non flammable, non toxic, of low VOC content, non ozone depleting, non hazardous, fully biodegradable and of low odor.

Plastic Media Blasting is a method used for rapid, economic and safe removal of coatings from any surface. It does not involve the use of toxic chemical strippers, sandblasting, or mechanical abrasion methods. The method is similar to sandblasting. Instead of hard silica sand, much softer reusable plastic particles are used at low blasting pressures. At these pressures the plastic media removes coatings without causing damage to the underlying material.
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