(I should mention here that we are not representing or endorsing any product on the blog for money, products, or anything at all. These companies have no idea we, our house, or our blog exist, and we like it that way).
That out of the way, we have purchased this product called Soy Gel (not a terribly creative name, but I like to think the creativity went into the thinking behind the product). It is exactly as the name suggests: a gel-like matter made of soy that is intended to strip paint and stains from wood, concrete, metals, etc. We needed to strip the hardware on our doors in order to cut them to size and refinish the brass, and we didn't want to use toxic substances with heavy fumes. Soy Gel really came through, even surpassing our expectations.
You apply it to a surface 1/8 inch thick and let sit. The wait time depends on the amount of paint you have on the surface. Enamel takes longer than regular paint, we found.
Then you simply wipe it off. D used a scraper just to remove the goo quickly and easily, but there was no scraping required. You apparently don't even need gloves for this stuff, but we'd suggest it since it does get all over your hands and can be slippery. Once it is wiped away, you are left with this everywhere the gel touched:
Right down to the raw wood and of course the brass. Easy as pie! Now, if only hanging these doors would be so simple...
In Toronto, we purchased Soy Gel at a shop in the west end called Homestead House Paint Company, but it can be found across Canada if you look up their distributers list on their website (see link in first paragraph). And speaking of Homestead House Paint Company, I think this is where we will be shopping for our paints when it comes time. They have a very interesting product based on an old tradition in painting that is completely non-toxic. Milk paints have a beautiful finish, I've been told, and we may grab a pint to test out on the wall. More about that when the time comes!
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