Best Paint Strippers of 2025

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Paint strippers are a popular solution for removing old paint from various surfaces. These products typically come in liquid or gel form and contain powerful chemicals that break down the paint's bond with the surface. They are ideal for removing paint from large areas, such as walls or floors, and can also be used on smaller objects like furniture or metal fixtures. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when using paint strippers, as they can be toxic and require proper ventilation and protective gear. Overall, paint strippers are a convenient and effective way to prepare surfaces for new paint or other finishes.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Paint Strippers
Citristrip Stripping Gel 40 oz
Citristrip Stripping Gel is designed for easy use and efficiency. It remains wet and effective for up to 24 hours, allowing you to tackle multiple layers of paint in one application. Whether you're dealing with dried latex or oil-based paints, varnish, lacquer, polyurethane, or shellac, this gel can handle it all. You can strip away layers from various surfaces like wood, metal, and masonry, making it a versatile choice for your projects. Plus, it’s free from harmful chemicals like methylene chloride and NMP, ensuring a safer working environment for you.
Sunnyside Corporation 2 Minute Remover 63532
Sunnyside Remover is a fast-acting liquid paint and varnish remover that can remove multiple layers of paint in just two minutes. It is perfect for detailing textured surfaces and can strip up to 25 square feet. What makes this product special is that it is Methylene Chloride free, which means it is safer and healthier for you to use. With its 32 Fl Oz size, you will have enough to get the job done. Whether you are a professional or a DIY enthusiast, Sunnyside Remover is a must-have tool in your arsenal.
Smart 'n Easy Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover Gel - 32oz
Smart 'n Easy Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover Gel is a powerful yet user-friendly paint stripper that removes up to 15+ layers of acrylic, latex, oil, and water-based paints, varnishes, stains, and coatings from almost every surface such as wood, metal, concrete, and more. It contains no caustic chemicals like Methylene Chloride or NMP, making it easy to use without fuss. Smart 'n Easy is proudly made in the USA with globally sourced high-quality ingredients and is suitable for both DIYers and professionals alike.
Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover - 1 Quart
Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover is a paint stripper that can remove up to 15 layers of various types of paints, varnishes, stains, and coatings from almost every surface in a single application. It contains no caustic chemicals, making it easy to use. It has been trusted by painting professionals and is user-friendly enough for all your DIY home projects.
Sunnyside Hi-Speed Ready-Strip Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover
The Sunnyside Hi-Speed Ready-Strip Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover is a powerful solution for removing multiple layers of oil or water-based coatings. Its no-drip formula makes it convenient and easy to remove paint without any mess. The remover clings to vertical surfaces, ensuring that it stays wet for a longer period of time, allowing it to effectively break down the paint. In just about 30 minutes, this product starts to work, saving you time and effort. Additionally, cleaning up is a breeze as it can be easily done with water. With the Sunnyside Hi-Speed Ready-Strip Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover, you can effortlessly strip away paint and varnish, making your DIY projects or home renovations a breeze.
Max Strip Paint & Varnish Citrus Stripper
If you want to remove paint and varnish from multiple surfaces easily and without caustic chemicals, Max Strip Citrus Stripper is the "do-it-yourself" choice. This powerful no-drip gel formula is designed to remove paint, latex, polyurethane, shellac, varnish, acrylic, oil-based coatings and more in usually a single application. It contains no methylene chloride or NMP, making it safe to use without harsh fumes or unpleasant odor. You can use it in confined or small spaces with a fresh citrus scent. Just apply it to the surface and check every 15 minutes until it's ready. Then remove it with a scraper. Max Strip Citrus Stripper is also very effective at removing most kinds of aftermarket paints and coatings, making it the ideal stripping choice. Please note that it is not designed for removal of deck coatings, factory finished, or baked-on coatings like vehicle paint.
Peel Away 1 Paint Remover
Peel Away Paint Remover is a complete removal system that can strip up to 30 layers of old paint, including lead-based coatings. This product is effective on various surfaces like wood, brick, and metal. It's ideal for professionals in commercial settings due to its powerful formula. The package includes everything you need for paint removal, making it convenient and efficient for users.
3M Paint and Rust Stripper 03171
The 3M Paint Stripper is designed to help you tackle tough cleaning jobs with ease. Its grinding disc effectively removes rust, old paint, and scale from various surfaces, including metal, wood, and plastics. The flexible nylon fiber disc ensures that you won’t have to worry about rust or splintering during use. With its coarse silicon carbide abrasive, you can expect fast cutting action, saving you time and effort. Simply attach it to your electric drill for a quick and efficient way to prepare surfaces for painting or repairs.
KLEAN-STRIP Aircraft Paint Remover
KLEAN-STRIP Paint Remover features a fast-acting formula that can strip tough automotive coatings, like epoxies and urethanes, down to bare metal in just 45 minutes. This versatility allows you to effectively tackle various surfaces, including metal and plastics, making it perfect for both automotive projects and general DIY tasks. Designed for professional results, it efficiently handles different types of finishes such as acrylics, lacquers, and baked enamels. Plus, its VOC compliance ensures safe use, even in areas with strict regulations, allowing you to work without harsh chemicals or overwhelming fumes.
Super Remover Paint Stripper (32oz)
The Super Remover Paint Stripper is a powerful solution for your stripping needs. It effectively removes paint without using harsh chemicals, making it a safer choice for wood, metal, and concrete surfaces. You’ll appreciate how quickly it works—often in just 15 minutes—allowing you to tackle multiple layers in a single application. This versatile product can handle various types of coatings, including oil paints and varnishes, making it ideal for any project, whether you're restoring furniture or completing heavy-duty tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What do professionals strip paint with?
Professionals often use caustic or sodium hydroxide liquid chemicals to strip paint. These chemicals can work in as little as 10 minutes or take longer depending on the paint thickness and surface details. They are particularly effective on carved and detailed surfaces.
2. What is an alternative to a paint striper?
Instead of using a paint stripper, professionals also have the option of using blasting methods like sandblasting or dustless blasting. Sandblasting uses dry sand to remove paint from metal and non-metal surfaces quickly. Dustless blasting, on the other hand, uses wet sand and is gentler on the substrate, causing less damage.
3. Is it worth stripping paint?
Stripping paint is often the most effective and long-lasting way to refinish a painted item. Starting over by removing the old paint instead of layering a new finish on top of it can provide more consistent results.
4. What is the safest way to strip paint?
While liquid and gel paint strippers are commonly used, there are also safer alternatives. Manual methods like using a paint scraper to chip away paint can be one of the safest ways to strip paint since no harsh chemicals are involved.
5. Will Goo Gone take off paint?
Goo Gone is effective in removing unwanted paint from various surfaces, including baseboards. It can also be used to clean paint brushes and other tools, even removing dried paint. It works on different types of paint such as wet and dried latex paint, acrylic paint, craft paint, and enamel paint.
During our paint stripper research, we found 24 paint stripper products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 92,347 customer reviews through our big data system to write the paint strippers list. We found that most customers choose paint strippers with an average price of $16.14.
The paint strippers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of paint strippers, including Citristrip, 2 Minute Remover, Safe 'n Easy, Dumond, Sunnyside Corporation. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Howard Chester is an architect from New York who holds a master's degree in architectural design, his passions for interior design and home improvement contribute to his extensive knowledge of all things furniture and home goods. Howard Chester Specializes in various architectural and interior design projects. He often publishes articles related to decoration on key websites and interior design magazines.