Eco Solutions Home Strip Paint & Varnish Remover Reviews
Latest Reviews
★★★★☆
“Not unpleasant to use and did a good job”
Written on: 14/03/2013
I bought a wooden cabinet with a thick dark varnish. The varnish was so thick that it looked like plastic and I was a little worried it would turn out to be MDF instead of proper wood underneath. I bought a couple of small tubs of Home Strip because I hate the thought of strong chemicals and, as I am asthmatic, those sorts of things tend to affect my breathing. I also bought a springy metal scourer as recommended. Well it took a lot of work over a couple of days but it worked really well and... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Better results with jiff”
Written on: 15/02/2013
Skirting boards are painted white spent a few hours and eventually left overnight, did it work, NO!, RUBBISH. (read more)
★★★★★
“Ercol Dresser”
Written on: 20/07/2012 by TimBrim
Having inherited an old Ercol dresser with a dark brown stain and varnish I thought it'd have to go on the bonfire. I picked up some Home Strip at the local hardware store and had a crack at trying to rescue it. The product worked brilliantly. I painted the gel like liquid (which meant there was very little mess) and left it for about 40 minutes. I then used a stainless steal scourer and some warm water to remove the product and the varnish/stain. The brown stain and varnish came off... (read more)
★★★★★
“Garage Door Sorted !”
Written on: 07/06/2012 by gbbr28871 (0 reviews written)
I bought this product from B&Q to try on my garage door, applied it and covered it with cling film and left overnight. No smells, no skins burns and very pleasant to use. The next day it had removed most of the paint and I bought a larger size from Toolstation and with one more application and an hours wait it scrubbed off a treat with a scouring pad and a bowl of hot soapy water. I have just bought their PVCu cleaner to remover the paint splashes from my windows. (read more)
★★★★★
“Hard work made EASY!!”
Written on: 07/06/2012 by matty1883 (1 review written)
Having spoken to a friend about some old wooden sash windows and window sills I had that I wanted to repaint, he pointed me in the direction of the eco solutions paint remover stating 'it is the best you are gonna find' and he wasn't wrong. I bought a tub from toolstation, and went to work, the product was unbelievably easy to use, it didn't overwhelm the house in a horrible toxic smell and was great value. Yet the most impressive thing about it all was that the wood came out looking as... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“Not up to tough jobs”
Written on: 12/03/2012 by puffedpride (1 review written)
I really wanted to give a favourable review - as the product is easily the safest to use (but see below). For removing several layers of paint and varnish (some lead-based) from 100 yr old skirting boards, we wanted something that can safely remove the lead without any flaking and dust (due to toxicity of the lead). We also wanted to avoid chemically dangerous products. Sadly, the Homestrip - after 3 overnight applications - was still a long way from removing all the layers completely. It... (read more)
Andrewchivers's Response to puffedpride's Review
Written on: 28/03/2012
I am sorry to hear that Home Strip was not a sucess for you, but you say in your review:
"after 3 overnight applications - was still a long way from removing all the layers completely. It generally only attacks one layer of paint per application.
Moreover, left overnight it results in a rubbery but dry-ish layer of scrape-able paint that flakes into small pieces and gets absolutely everywhere"
Now leaving Home Strip on overnight is the way we would suggest but you would need to cover the Home Strip with plastic film (cling film) this will force the Home Strip down through the multi layered paint and WILL remove up to 8 coats on one overnight application!
When a paint remover is applied to a multi-layered substrate it will of course blister the first coat which in turn will lift the paint remover away from the next coat and stop it working!
Auro paint remover does contain Caustic and would steer away from such an agressive chemical. This can also remove newly applied paint about 6 months after if you do not neutralise the area first.
Osmo Paint remover you mention contains "Ethanol" which is the main ingredient and would not recommend using this to remove lead-based paints. The solvent evapourates and leaves you with dry paint. It is also highly flammable! Certainly not Eco Friendly.
Home Strip is actually specifed for use in removing lead based paints and has been used sucessfully in projects by conservation groups all over the UK where there has been a danger of lead in paint.
Home Strip has also been tested by the Insitute of Occupational medicine - Link - http://www.ecosolutions.co.uk/docs/health%20&%20safety%20news.pdf
If used correctly Home Strip is the safest and most effective paint remover on the market today. The instruction sate to try a test area first! and also if leaving overnight to cover with plastic film.
Reply to this comment
Puffedpride's Response to puffedpride's Review
Written on: 29/03/2012
Andrew Chivers - i will try your suggestion and feedback how it worked on the same job.
Reply to this comment
Sweetcorn82's reply to Puffedpride's Comment
Written on: 17/03/2013
Hi
Was thinking of using this product on the same job as you described, I would be interested to know how you got along using cling film method?
Reply to this comment
Puffedpride's reply to Sweetcorn82's Comment
Written on: 18/03/2013
Definitely works better with clingfilm method. Doesn't dry out or flake nearly as much. Still needed 3 applications to get several layers of paint off. Given applications are cling-filmed and left on overnight, it gives you an idea of how long a job can take! But that is the price of having a very safe product, I guess. I would use it again.......but only because there is no pressure time-wise for me, so it's doable.
Reply to this comment
Andrewchivers's reply to Puffedpride's Comment
Written on: 19/03/2013
Hi
Glad you got on well with Home Strip, but would like to know why it took so long as on overnight process should take more off.
The only thing that can slow the removal process is very cold temperatures, and wondered if this was inside or out?
Reply to this comment
Sweetcorn82's reply to Puffedpride's Comment
Written on: 19/03/2013
Thanks for your reply, very helpful as I was in two minds after reading other reviews! Under no time frame so I'll give it a go but maybe just in my bathroom as at three coats I imagine the cost would be to great to do my whole flat! Fingers crossed!
Reply to this comment
Andrewchivers's reply to Sweetcorn82's Comment
Written on: 19/03/2013
The cling film method works very well, as placing the film over the top stops the paint blistering and lifting away from the surface which usually stops it from working its magic and the other paint. It also keeps the product wet making it work for longer periods.
An overnight process can soften and remove up to 8 coats in just one application of home strip. The secret is making sure you have a really good thick coat of home strip on first as having patchy won't give good results.
The product is thixotropic meaning its quite fluid when being brushed on, so I recommend applying a coat leaving for five mins then going lightly over again with a second coat.
Reply to this comment
Sweetcorn82's reply to Andrewchivers's Comment
Written on: 19/03/2013
With the old products (pre 2010) I used to score into paint work to get the stripper to seep in, is this recommended with your product? Also with the old stuff it took three coats to get back to the bare wood, how many would you say your product needs on the same piece of wood to achieve the same result as it doesn't contain the harmful (but strong) chemicals? Many thanks
Reply to this comment
Andrewchivers's reply to Sweetcorn82's Comment
Written on: 20/03/2013
Only on Vinyl Silks I would recommend this, but it would open the paint surface up and get it to work quicker.
On old paints it should take three coats off if using the cling film method, but we also say to use a stainless steel scouring ball dipped in a bowl of warm soapy water to remove the softened paint.
This gives a much cleaner result and gets into any ornate surfaces,along with removing any paint or primer stuck in the grain. It also cuts in the surface of the next coat if not softened and forms a key for re-application.
Reply to this comment
★☆☆☆☆
“In my opinion don't waste your money”
Written on: 07/11/2011
Because I have asthma we decided to try this product and in my opinion the only good thing about it is that it has a pleasant smell. We bought 3 tubs @ £10.80 a tub at B&Q and unfortunately I opened two of the products, otherwise I would have taken them all back and demanded a refund. We used it to try to remove 1 layer of water based emulsion and now all we are left with is a sticky mess on the surface which is proving very difficult to remove, we are still trying after 2 days of solid... (read more)
Andrewchivers's Comment
Written on: 29/11/2011
A sticky mess suggests a vinyl silk emulsion and this will happen using any tyep of paint remover from solvent based to water based.
Vinyl silk paints contain plastic polymers which turn to a rubber gooey substance when softened by paint removers and it is extremely difficult to remove.
Scoring the surface with a blade prior to applying the paint remover helps to get underneath and lift the paint, and removing the softened paint with a long handled blade scraper rather than a standard metal scraper helps alot.
Harsh 1 star!
Reply to this comment
Andrewchivers's Comment
Written on: 28/02/2012
Home Strip will remove emulsion with no effort at all and looking at your opinion and in my view an ufair one, it looks like you have vinyl silk emulsion.
Vinyl silk emulsion contains plastic polymers which once hardened are very hard to remove(thats why it is so hard wearing)
Home Strip will remove vinyl silks but require a long handled blade scraper to lift it away from the surface rather than spreading it round with a normal type scraper.
Also lightly scoring the surface prior to applying Home Strip work well to get underneath and lift it.
It is a shame you didnt give the technical helpline a call which is on the label and one of our technical advisors could have talked you through this process.
Lastly I would say that no matter what type of paint remover you use you will still get this effect. Very sorry to see you are unhappy, but trust me the product works-otherwise we would have gone out of business years ago!
Reply to this comment
Jwilson88's Comment
Written on: 09/04/2013
This has happened to a dining table I wanted to strip back. The table is second hand so I did not know what it had been finished in. I used the Home Sense product because of its non-toxic qualities. There are a number of curved areas so scraping proves very difficult. Could you suggest an alternative to removing this sticky mess? What would happen if I sanded the wood?
Reply to this comment
★★★★★
“Home Strip Magic”
Written on: 01/10/2011 by fionalee (1 review written)
Bought this from B&Q in a 500ml size after talking to the company eco solutions as i wanted to check if this product removed paint from wooden architraves and also cornicing. They recommended i purchased a small size to try first but assured me it would work. They were right and it worked beautifully. I pasted the door frames up with a thick coating and covered it with plastic film wrap and left it till the following day. I was amased by the results as it had taken off most of the many... (read more)
Andrewchivers's Response to fionalee's Review
Written on: 01/12/2011
I am pleased you liked this product.
Reply to this comment
★☆☆☆☆
“Don't bother!”
Written on: 26/08/2011
Non-toxic it may be but it doesn't work. Used on a metal towel rail, the paint already flaking and in poor condition. After using Homestrip gel and leaving it on for and hour and longer I was still scraping as hard as without using the gel. After several attempts I removed maybe 30% of the paint back to bare metal. It's back to Polycell or Nitromors to get the job done. (read more)
Andrewchivers's Comment
Written on: 27/10/2011
This gentleman called our technical helpline and mentioned Home Strip was not working at all. Five minutes into the conversation he said that it had taken some of the paint away and was not happy.
After going through what he had done regarding applying the product and the age of the metal towel rail we established that the towel rail had a factory plastic coating on there and Home Strip did in fact soften the areas that had been broken down over the years with wear and tear.
All paint removers on the market today will not remove plastics. We are very sorry to hear you had problems but did try to explain the reason why.
Reply to this comment
★★★★★
“Great product. Have gone through two 4L containers...”
Written on: 12/07/2011 by cooper2 (1 review written)
This stuff is great. I have used the smelly and extremely dangerous strippers before and hated them. With this stripper all I did was apply a coat, wait about 15 minutes, scrap off. Then with a bucket of water and a green scratch pad wash off. Additional coats would need to be applied depending on how many coats of varnish or paint are on the piece. And no dangerous fumes or burns on my skin. It is time consuming, but what is there about refinishing that isn't time consuming. PS I am... (read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 27 Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“Fake reviews?”
Written on: 13/06/2011
On close analysis, several of the positive reviews seen here are so similar that they appear to have been written with the purpose of countering the negative criticism, rather than being just a report of how the product did its job. Looks fishy to me!! (read more)
Guest's Comment
Written on: 27/10/2011
Reading all the comments and reviews on this website and can comment as follows.
Eco Solutions have never written any reviews on this website. Home Strip Paint and Varnish remover is a worthy replacement for proprietary brand paint removers that have caused health issues and even deaths over the past 30 years.
This product has been tested successfully on hundreds if not thousands of different coatings without any health risk to the user (product only). Yes there will be some negative responses to ours and other products out on the market place and removing coatings is never an exact science, and in most cases caused by not reading the instructions first, or if they have a particularly hard job to tackle.
The levels of dissatisfied customers are miniscule compared to the product we sell and the massive amount of positive feedback we get from satisfied customers.
We have the most hands on experience in the industry of over 40 years and have a technical helpline that customers can call to obtain help and advice.
Home Strip is also used widely in Industry because of its very safe reputation and yes there are other so-called safe products out on the market today since the DCM ban was introduced giving false claims.
We make no such false claims with Home Strip, in fact Home Strip was awarded a Millennium Products Award and we also have a CE Mark for use as a children’s toy!
Reply to this comment
★☆☆☆☆
“Not good, tried removing paint couple of hours after...”
Written on: 12/05/2011
Not good, tried removing paint couple of hours after application & tried scrapping, not very good. Reapplied the gel & left overnight, doesn't remove the paint. Rubbish - c Grindall (read more)
Andrewchivers's Comment
Written on: 27/10/2011
I am sorry to hear you had problems with using Home Strip and would comment that some paints do need a longer dwell time and if left overnight would need covering to prevent the produt from drying. Also covering the Home Strip will force it down through the layers of paint.
Reply to this comment
★☆☆☆☆
“I bought this product as a low toxicity alternative to...”
Written on: 22/02/2011
I bought this product as a low toxicity alternative to remove one thin coat of varnish from a pine floor. So thin, the varnish scratches with the slightest of touches, and sellotape can pull it off!
However, "Home Strip" CANNOT remove it. Even after 3 liberal coats,and leaving it covered overnight, very little came off. What a waste of time and money.
I am so disappointed, as the product claims to remove upto 6 coats of paint- yeah right! "Home Strip" could only be more dissapointing if I...
(read more)
Andrewchivers's Comment
Written on: 01/12/2011
I know this was sometime ago, but I am sorry to hear that the product didnt work for you, but if it could come away with sellotape them im afraid a paint remover would shift it!
We spoke on the telephone as you called our customer careline and you also sent us some images if you can remember. The floor was covered in a scumble glaze which was the original thirties glaze and not the modern ones you can buy today.
Home Strip will remove this finish but it also needs hot water to help in removal of the original base coat which is milk paint. Milk paint is a very old paint which is a very difficult finish to remove. No matter what you try to remove it with we always find that although paint removers will work slowly to soften it, hot water aids the time and helps break it down quicker.
Reply to this comment
★☆☆☆☆
“I read that this product was supposed to be the best...”
Written on: 04/02/2011
I read that this product was supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread. That couldn't be more wrong. I am trying to remove paint from some box sash windows, sill and surrounding area etc. So far the stuff has been on 3 hours + and there are only slight signs of it having any impact and most of it has dried. Unless there is a miraculous turn around over night which I highly doubt there will be, I'm taking the stuff back to B in a Q and complaining. Nitro would of had the lot off by... (read more)
Andrewchivers's Comment
Written on: 01/12/2011
I am sorry to hear you had problems with stripping your sash windows. It sounds like it was working in only certain areas which suggest me that the coating is uneven, and you need to make sure you have a nice liberal coating over the whole area.
Also covering the painted areas helps force Home Strip down through multi-layered paint wiht only one application and if not covered the blistered paint will lift the product away and stop it working.
Any external paint you will find have been weathered by the sun and rain over the years and is much harder to remove that anything that is internal as it can get baked on by the sun.
Hope this is of help
Reply to this comment
★★★★★
“I found this product in a B&Q superstore after...”
Written on: 03/02/2011
I found this product in a B&Q superstore after searching high and low to an alternative stripper to Nitromors.
I went through two tins of Nitromors trying to remove paint from a modern door. Everytime I applied the Nitromors it dried out so all i kept doing was wasting product with no reaction, and god! the smell was terrible (my eyes were sore for a least 3 days after)
I tried the Home Strip on this door and within 30 minutes it had softened the paint and came striaght off with a scaper....
(read more)
★★★★☆
“Just came across these reviews for Home Strip and...”
Written on: 14/08/2010
Just came across these reviews for Home Strip and would like to add a counterpoint to some of those saying that it didn't work so well on older paint. I stripped a door frame with 70+ years of paint etc on it and I was extremely impressed with it. The main thing I found was that some patience is required. I followed the instructions and applied an initial coat, covered with polythene sheet, and left for a couple of hours. I then used a stainless steel scourer. Now this was a bit... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“What a waste of money! ”
Written on: 14/06/2010
What a waste of money!
Smelly, messy and hard work. Get out the hot air gun!
Would not buy this again and would not recommend it.
(read more)
Andrewchivers's Comment
Written on: 27/10/2011
We could be fooled into thinking this was a competitior. But never the less Home Strip does not give off any fumes and is no messier than any other product on the market today.
Using a hot air gun can be very dangerous to your health and can produce higly toxic fumes including lead in the air (older type paints)
Reply to this comment
★★★★★
“I came across the product in B&Q and am so pleased I...”
Written on: 09/06/2010
I came across the product in B&Q and am so pleased I found it. I was needing to remove the varnish from our dining table top as it had become very tacky, and the damm table matt had made a pattern in the surface!
I was so amazed to smell nothing when I opened the tub up, and it brushed onto the top like a dream. I also got it on my face and horray - No burning on my skin either!
The table top darkened slightly which I then realised it was time to remove it. I strated with a scraper but...
(read more)
★★★★☆
“I was a bit dubious after reading the reviews but I...”
Written on: 09/06/2010
I was a bit dubious after reading the reviews but I can honsetly say its a decent product. I used it to strip a 100+ year old staircase with 6-7 coats of paint and a couple of coats of varnish.
It was definately harder work and quite a bit more expensive than Nitromors but there were non of your usual problems with ventilation in tight spaces or worries with getting it on your skin. Paint stripping is always a messy job and I got it everywhere but it didnt give me any problems and didnt...
(read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“This product should not be purchased under any...”
Written on: 28/05/2010
This product should not be purchased under any circumstances unless that is you wish to throw your money away. I used this on the wooden spindles of the decking on my caravan and it failed to work, apart from some slight peeling on a small part of the bottom length of wood. I subsequently dispose of the product and lost almost £50 - give it a miss!!! (read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 11 - 20 of 27 Reviews
★★☆☆☆
“After searching for ages trying to find a product that...”
Written on: 08/04/2010
After searching for ages trying to find a product that was safe to use on plasterboard I came across Home Strip Paint & Varnish Remover after reader about it here www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/paintstrip.htm
So I purchased a tub for £20 and set to work, applied it like directed and left it to do its stuff.
I then attempted to scrape the paint off and this is where the problems started, the paint had turned to a gooey sticky mess that was impossible to remove with a scarper.
I spent to...
(read more)
★★★★☆
“I used eco solutions to strip layers of automotive...”
Written on: 10/06/2009
I used eco solutions to strip layers of automotive paint from aluminium vehicle panels wihtout damage. (read more)
★★★★★
“Eco Solutions Home Strip Paint & Varnish Remover is...”
Written on: 31/03/2009 by lucykelly
Eco Solutions Home Strip Paint & Varnish Remover is also a great product for those interested in art. I've used this on many of my art project at both college and University. I use it for transfereing images onto different surfaces. It's fantastic if you're wanting your work to look old and warn. I showed lots of my class mates how to use it and now they're all at it. (read more)
★★★★★
“This stripper worked very well to remove several...”
Written on: 10/06/2008
This stripper worked very well to remove several layers of paint on skirting boards, stairs and doorframes. I left it on for about 2 hours, scraped it off, and repeated. It was a pleasure to use - especially after struggling with a heat gun etc. afterwards it just needed a light sanding. (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“I bought Eco SOlutions Paint Remover to strip an old...”
Written on: 19/05/2008 by salasco (1 review written)
I bought Eco SOlutions Paint Remover to strip an old wooden panel door and while it took off the newer paint reasonably well it had little real effect on the older paint below. Where it did get down to the wood, it soaked into the wood causing damage to the carved panel mouldings. (read more)
Pbp's Response to salasco's Review
Written on: 09/01/2009
This product could not have damaged the wood at all as it is Ph Neutral and contains no nasty chemicals at all. The only possible reason is if the wood was either MDF or you did something else afterwards perhaps?
Reply to this comment
Salasco's Response to salasco's Review
Written on: 12/01/2009
To pbp, I stand by my review, the wood was softwood and no other product or process was used. The damage was caused by this water-based product soaking into the wood. As wood absorb water it expands causing the surface fibres to swell up and become rough and brittle. As I have said, this product works but not that well, and with reservations.
<br/> I can see from your other reviews and comments that you are very enthusiastic about Eco solution products. Strangely you don't seem to be the only "Pbp" on the internet. I have found 5 others on various DIY sites. Strangely they also seem to think Eco Solutions products are fantastic.
Reply to this comment
Pbp's Response to salasco's Review
Written on: 09/06/2010
I have been using many different products over the past 20 years to remove paint and varnish form various jobs that i have restored to re sell or in my own home.
<br/>
<br/>I am not connected with Eco Solutions at all, but feel strongly that this Home Strip product is better than other products on the market. Solvent paint removers I have used for many years prior to discovering Eco Soltuions products, and believe me they are deadly, but would not damage softwood mouldings and the same goes for Home Strip or any other water based product will not damage softwood.
<br/>
<br/>I am not sure what game your in, but you certainly do not know anything about timbers.
Reply to this comment
★☆☆☆☆
“Althought this Paint & Varnish remover product was...”
Written on: 03/03/2008 by molsonmutt
Althought this Paint & Varnish remover product was easy to use indoors, and worked to remove newer paint, it didn't work on older layers of paint at all. (read more)
★★★★★
“Eco Solutions Home Strip Paint & Varnish Remover was...”
Written on: 02/07/2007 by Pbp (2 reviews written)
Eco Solutions Home Strip Paint & Varnish Remover was used to remove some old paint from a chest of draws I purchased from a second hand shop. I bought it from B&Q, and thought I would go for this one as I had already used their X-Tex to remove artex. It contains no harmful chemicals, and gives off no fumes at all. I applied it and left it for 2 hours, as stated on the pot because it is a non-solvent, and the longer you leave it on the more it will remove, which in turn saves your product. I... (read more)
overview
Top 5 Home Decorating
To calculate the top 5's we take the following factors into account:
• All the star ratings the company/product has received,
• The number of reviews
• How recent the reviews are
As rated by real users
-
1. Floor Sanding Experts
39 reviews read latest review -
2. Dulux PaintPod Roller System
191 reviews read latest review -
3. Wood N Beyond - www.woodandbeyond.com
23 reviews read latest review -
4. Eco Solutions X-Tex Textured Coatings Remover
34 reviews read latest review -
5. Simple Strip - 3 Step Wallpaper Removal System
13 reviews read latest review
Hot Stuff in
Latest Reviews in Home Decorating
-
Packing Boxes - www.packingboxes.co.uk
"Excellent service" Read More
-
Polycell Less Mess Paint Stripper
"Mis named" Read More
-
Dulux Dulux Satinwood Paint
"Worse paint I've ever used" Read More
-
Sandtex Exterior Gloss One Coat
"Excellent paint" Read More
-
Polycell SmoothOver Textured Walls & Ceilings
"Hard work but worth it" Read More
Latest items in Home Decorating
See more ▼
- You are here:
- Review Centre
- Home Improvement
- Home Decorating
- Eco Solutions Home Strip Paint & Varnish Remover
- Overview
Andrewchivers's Comment
Written on: 20/02/2013
I am very sorry to hear you had problems whilst using Home Strip. Did you try a small test area first to see how it would react to the paint on your skirting boards?
I am surprised to see that even though you spent the time to write this very negative review (possibly a competitor) you didn't get the time to call our customer helpine which is on the label, and we could have talked you through any issues you might have had.
Home Strip Paint and Varnish Remover is a totally unique and effective product on the market today, and WILL remove all types of oil and water-based paints. In some cases it can soften paint rather than blister, and some users can be fooled thinking that it is not working!