Paint Stripper for Aluminum and its Alloys

The challenge

A company working for a major automotive manufacturer contacted us with the need to strip paint from aluminum parts.

Initially, the client had considered sandblasting the parts to completely remove the paint; however, this possibility was discarded because the dimensional, physical, and chemical characteristics of the parts and the material could not be altered in the slightest.

The client absolutely did not want the paint stripper to contain chlorinated solvents.

Our solution

Aluminum is one of the most modern materials and, thanks to its characteristics, is particularly suitable for the production of high-quality components in the Automotive and Motorsport sectors.

Aluminum and its alloys are extremely varied, depending on their composition and their intended use.

The components present in the alloys, such as copper, silicon, magnesium, zinc, etc., in addition to conferring particular mechanical characteristics, also determine the degree of reactivity.

Therefore, it is essential to be very careful when putting them in contact with certain chemical substances, which could cause etching or alteration of the alloy’s color.

Since the parts in question are numbered and very expensive, the client proposed that we carry out preliminary tests in our laboratory on test samples made of the same alloy and painted in the same way, so that if something went wrong, we would not damage the original parts that need to be stripped.

Having previous experience in this field, we identified two paint strippers within our range that we used to carry out the preliminary tests; both are free of chlorinated solvents and have a different balance depending on the type of paint to be removed.

Between the two, one works better; it lifts the paint from the surfaces, making it inert. However, mechanical action is needed to completely detach the paint from the surface.

By using a low-head pump that recirculates the product, we were able to completely detach the paint.

Results

The product that provided the best result is called ALUSTRIP MS.

We use it undiluted at a temperature of about 60°C (140°F); in about two hours of contact time, the paint completely detaches.

By increasing the temperature up to about 75°C (167°F), we obtain the same qualitative result, but in a significantly shorter time.

The product, despite working at significant temperatures, does not alter the original color of the aluminum alloy in the slightest.

The removed paint is not dissolved by the product, but rather flakes off, and the hydrokinetic action of the pump completely detaches it from the surface.

When the solution is in a quiescent state, the paint detached and rendered inert by the aluminum paint stripper settles on the bottom of the tank and can then be easily extracted.

This particular condition guarantees a long life of the product, containing the management and disposal costs of the spent product.