Best Paint Strippers of 2026

"This was my first time stripping paint and stain from furniture, and I’m sticking with this product. It’s extremely easy to apply—just be sure to really layer it on thick and don’t let it dry out. I managed to remove all the paint and most of the stain with just a couple of applications. While I’m not a fan of the citrus smell, it’s not unpleasant and disappears over time. Be ready for a big mess, but overall, this is an efficient and handy solution."

"I was pretty impressed with this gel! It works quickly, spreads easily, and a small amount covers a lot. I used it on a table with a heavy topcoat, and it scraped off nicely with a sharp tool. The smell is definitely noticeable, so I’d recommend working outside if you can. It’s a little pricey for big projects, but using cling wrap helped keep fumes down. As for ease of use and stain removal, I’d give it full marks."

"We’ve refinished a lot of furniture, and my husband is a professional artist—so we know our way around strippers. This product made the process much easier, even with several thick coats of glossy primer. It’s not an instant fix, but if you leave it on for a couple of hours or overnight, it does the job. We appreciate that it’s safer and more eco-friendly, and it holds up against harsher alternatives. Just be patient and let it work its magic."

"I'm always working on DIY projects, and this remover has been a real game-changer for me. It strips paint easily, works on all sorts of surfaces, and a little goes a long way—I’ve had the same bottle for over half a year! The smell is mild, and it’s perfect if you’re not a pro but want great results."

"I needed to strip paint from a synthetic gun stock and wasn’t sure what to use. I gave this a shot and it worked perfectly without damaging the material. Now I recommend it to anyone needing a gentle, reliable paint remover!"

"After a botched paint job on my car, I tried this product and was amazed by how well it lifted the unwanted paint without harming the original finish. It even handled grime and brake dust. My car looks fantastic now, and I’m genuinely impressed with the results. Just remember—patience, a good microfiber cloth, and gentle effort make a big difference."

"I used this to get rid of stubborn paint on my porch, including spots on stone, vinyl siding, and brick. It even managed to remove some decades-old stains. The thick formula made it easy to work with, and I barely needed any, so it’s definitely cost-effective."

"I was hesitant at first, but after trying it, I was surprised. It easily removed dry spray paint from my driveway, and I honestly don’t get the negative feedback—it works great for me."

"This product came highly recommended by my contractor, and it did exactly what I needed. There’s little to no scent, and it’s super simple to use. Just be careful on delicate surfaces, since it can lift underlying paint if rubbed too hard."

"I was really impressed by how well this product removes paint from various surfaces, including wood floors, bathroom tile, and even a gold-framed mirror. The best part is that it doesn't leave a strong odor, and the process is straightforward—just spray, wait, and wipe. It works so much better than anything else I've tried!"

"After accidentally getting paint on my parka, I tried this cleaner because it was safe for use on fabric. With several applications and some scrubbing, all the paint came off my jacket without any damage. I was amazed—my coat looks perfect, and there's no trace of paint left."

"I used this product hoping to remove latex paint from concrete pavers, and while it did help soften the paint, it took a lot of elbow grease to get some of it off. However, it's excellent for cleaning old latex paint from brushes and bare metal, and works gently on wood without damage. Just don’t expect miracles on concrete surfaces."

"I absolutely needed this product to finish my china cabinet project due to my arthritis. It's easy to use, gentle on my hands, and incredibly effective at removing several layers of paint and varnish. The product adhered well to surfaces, especially with the damp paper towel and plastic wrap method. No strong chemical odor, and clean-up was a breeze with soap and water. This is now my go-to for future furniture projects."

"I used this to strip old, heavily painted heat registers. If you allow the product to work as directed, it removes even thick layers of paint better than citrus-based alternatives. It washes off easily and has a much more tolerable scent. Highly recommend for tough jobs!"

"I tried this product on my kitchen cabinets after seeing reviews about its easy use and lack of smell. Unfortunately, it didn't remove the finish after several hours and two coats, even with plastic wrap. The odor became more noticeable over time, and I ended up returning it. Citristrip worked better for me, so I'll be sticking with that."

"I've been restoring historic homes for decades, and this stripper is a lifesaver for interior woodwork. There's almost no smell, it doesn't irritate skin, and paint comes off easily with a scraper. Sure, it takes a few tries for deep layers, but it's worth the time. I'll definitely keep buying more for my projects!"

"I used this to strip and repaint my outdoor lights and porch fixtures. Application was a breeze, and the paint bubbled up overnight—it peeled away with minimal effort. My tip: clean the surface first, be patient, and keep items in the shade so the stripper doesn't dry too fast. The end result was fantastic!"

"For stripping paint from plastic miniatures, this gel works fast and is easy to use. I just coat the model, let it sit for about 30-45 minutes, and scrub with a toothbrush. No harsh smell, and paint comes off cleanly. Just don’t let it dry out or it can get tricky to remove."

"I was surprised by how well this worked—the graffiti came off our stained concrete without harming the finish. It really targeted just the unwanted paint and left our concrete looking great."

"I use this product for my model horse projects and it's a lifesaver. It removes acrylic and oil paint from resin and plastic models without damaging the details. I apply, let it sit, then wipe and repeat, and it works beautifully every time."

"We had graffiti on our metal electrical box and after spraying and waiting just a few minutes, the paint wiped right off. The smell wasn’t harsh either, which was a nice bonus. We’ll definitely keep a spare bottle."

"I was pretty nervous about using a paint stripper, but after researching options for my old desk with potential lead paint, I gave Max Strip a try. It worked well, especially once I got the hang of it—the inside took a few coats, but the outside was much easier. A paint scraper and brass brush made it even more effective, and the low odor was a big plus. I was pleasantly surprised by how much area I could cover with one container."

"Max Strip did a solid job removing old varnish from my dresser. It worked in about 20-30 minutes and made scraping off the finish easy. Saved me a lot of time compared to sanding, and the process was pretty straightforward."

"I found the product worked well, especially because of its mild scent. On some types of paint, it took several applications, but overall I was happy with the results and would recommend it to others."

"I used this remover on a wood dining table with wall paint stains, and it took the paint off without any harsh fumes. It was effective and easy to use."

"After painting my bathroom sink and regretting it, I tried this product. It lifted the paint effortlessly and my sink looks just like it did before. Minimal scraping was needed, and the low odor is a huge plus."

"I stripped layers of old paint from a 1920s safe. The product is thick and a bit hard to apply, but when used with plastic covering and a razor, it removed paint down to bare metal on the first try. No strong smell—perfect for indoor projects."

"I used this product on my all-white door and it stripped the paint completely. It did exactly what I needed."

"I bought it to strip the paint from my car's engine valve covers, but it didn't work at all—there was no effect on the paint."

"The remover worked fairly well, but I ended up needing more wire wheel work than I'd expected to get the job done."