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In the days before the invention of the modern chemical paint stripper, you would need to use a heat gun or sander to remove paint, which could take many hours of hard work.

Paint-stripping chemicals make the job much easier as you cover the paint you want to remove and let the chemicals do the hard work.

You should be aware that pre-2019, many paint strippers used Methylene Chloride or Dichloromethane, which is highly effective at removing any paint quickly on any surface but highly toxic.

As of 2018, it had killed 58 people since 1980. In 2019, the EPA made a final rule to ban the chemical for consumer paint and coating removal, citing concerns about the human lethality of the chemical.

These new chemicals are a little slower but can still be effective at removing paint without the deadly risks involved with Methylene Chloride. 

All of the paint strippers we have tested and recommend are Methylene Chloride free. However, you should still use protective equipment when applying them, as some of them include solvents that release VOCs and are associated with neurological and other physiological damage.

For those with houses pre-1978, you will want to check for lead paint as this might require a special type of paint stripper. 

You usually find both liquid and gel paint strippers. Liquid is best to cover a large flat area, while gel can be used to cling to complex surfaces. The gel is generally more versatile as it can be used in many different locations.

How we tested the best paint strippers

We researched 37 different paint strippers in the United States as of January 2024 and identified the top 4 for purchase and in-house testing. We examined the efficacy of removing different paint types on wood, metal and brick over many days. These 4 products are what we think are the very best paint strippers available to buy in 2024.

1. Best Paint Stripper for Metal: Goof Off

Before the EPA banned Methylene chloride, Goof Off used this chemical, but now they have moved to a new formula that doesn’t use this toxic chemical. 

The latest version of Good Off uses a combination of acetone and xylene, which are still strong solvents that melt the paint off the material.

When we tested Goof Off on spray-painted aluminum, it started removing paint after only 10 seconds. 

Good Off is a brand from WM Barr that has been in business since 1946 and includes other paint stripper brands like Klean Strip and Citristrip (see our best option for wood).

You should be aware that the solvents used in Goof Off will create problems when used on plastic, as they could damage the underlying material.

Goof Off is perfect for situations that require a strong solvent, and as we saw in our hands-on testing, it works very quickly, but like with any paint stripper, the longer you leave it on, the more paint it will remove. 

Be aware that these solvents create VOCs and are linked to cancer, so be sure to use Goof Off in a well-ventilated area and use PPE.

This paint stripper was the strongest we tested, so if you have an issue with removing paint with other products, you will want to try it again with Goof Off.

Ingredients: Acetone (60-100%), Xylene (<10%), Ethylbenzene (<5%), Methanol (<5%)

2. Best Paint Stripper for Wood: Citristrip

If you are worried about VOCs from paint stripping, you will want to look at Citistrip. Rather than using strong solvents like we find with Goof Off, it uses a class of chemicals called dibasic esters. 

They are less intensive and take a little longer to work but also don’t give off as many chemicals by-products, so they are safer to use inside as they’re much less toxic or flammable.

Just be aware that you will need to give this paint stripper time to work; we recommend leaving it for 24 hours before attempting to remove the paint. 

The scent from this paint stripper is citrus, which is much better than the highly chemical smell you get from Goof Off. 

When we tested the Citistrip on painted wood, we were impressed with how well it removed the paint without damaging the surface material.

As with Goof Off, the chemicals in Citistrip may cause damage to plastic, so stick to wood, metal and masonry with this product. 

Ingredients: Dimethyl Glutarate (10-30%), Dimethyl Adipate (10-30%), N-Methylpyrrolidone (30-60%), Citrus Extract (1-5%), PEG-15 Cocamine (1-5%)

3. Best for Masonary: Dumond Smart Strip

Another choice if you are worried about chemical byproducts or VOC is this Dumond product made of Benzyl Alcohol and Calcined Kaolin. These chemicals are much safer than other options and are environmentally friendly. 

Like Citistrip, you will need to leave it for many hours and may need to use additional coats, but for those wanting to remove paint from brick, concrete or any other stone, this is the best option out there. 

This paint stripper is environmentally friendly and much safer to use in large quantities than other, much stronger paint strippers. 

Dumond is the brand behind Smart Strip, and their products have been used for the Eifel Tower and Brooklyn Bridge and first came to market in 1981 with their product Peel Away. The Smart Strip product is aimed at professional and DIY users who want an environmentally friendly way to remove paint from different materials.

One of the big benefits of Dumond Smart Strip is that it can be used for paint that contains lead. 

For situations with lots of paint, you will want to leave it on for at least 24 hours and cover it with wax paper or plastic wrap to ensure it doesn’t dry out. Then, use a wire brush to clean up. 

It does create quite a bit of “goo” when we use it to remove paint from concrete material, but after cleaning it away, we were impressed with how much paint it removed in just one coat.

Ingredients: Benzyl Alcohol (30-40%), Calcined Kaolin (<1%), Water, Titanium Dioxide

4. Best for Plastic and other softer materials: Motsenbocker’s Lift Off 41345

Most other paint strippers we have included should not be used with delicate materials like plastic or fabric as the chemicals will damage the material.

You can remove the paint with Motsenbockers Lift Off 41245 without damaging the material. It can be used on any material and can even be useful for dried paint from your skin. 

The ingredients for Motsenbocker are a trade secret. Still, they are far less harmful than standard paint strippers, which explains how they can be used on delicate materials like laminate/vinyl flooring or furniture. 

This paint stripper wouldn’t be suitable for paint stuck on metal or wood, but for those looking to remove latex paints from any material, from clothing to furniture, then this is the best product out there. 

Ingredients: Acetone (<5%), Trade Secret Ingredients

Paint Stripper FAQ:

Q: Do you need a paint stripper?

You can remove quite a bit of paint from horizontal surfaces with just a sander. While it will require some effort, you might be able to get away from having to buy a paint stripper. For vertical surfaces or those you can’t reach easily,  a paint stripper is a much better way to remove the paint.

Q: What do professionals strip paint with?

Professional paint strippers can use dichloromethane paint strippers, but these are banned for consumers as they are highly toxic and need lots of ventilation and protection to be used safely. 

Q: What is the best solvent for stripping paint?

The best solvent we tested was Acetone, which could quickly remove paint from a metal surface in just a few seconds.

Q: What is the best way to strip paint?

There are three main ways to remove paint: sanding, heat gun and chemical products.  The best choice will depend on the type of paint and material you want to remove it from. Chemical products involve the least work to remove but are not always suitable for every situation.

Q: How long does Citristrip take to work?

Citistrip needs a few hours at least and is best left for up to 24 hours to work effectively, and you should cover it with cling film so it doesn’t dry out.

Q: Is isopropyl alcohol good for stripping paint?

Isopropyl alcohol is a good way to remove paint from soft surfaces like plastic. Many people use it to remove paint from miniatures, submerging them for some time.