Hey, <br> <br>I tried using Citri-Strip on my built in (with 10 layers of paint, milk paint underneath) and it only took off one layer at a time. If I left it on more than an hour, it completely dissolved/dried out and the paint wouldn't come off. Has anyone used Soy-Gel? I'm trying the 'environmentally-safe' products before going back to the heat gun and scraper. I read the posts about Peel Away 1 and 7, but would prefer to stay away from those since the piece is in a fairly central part of the house - and I have a 7yo, a 4yo and a dog. <br> <br>Thanks! <br> <br>Stefanie

I don't know about the soy-gel but have a question/suggestion for you on the citri-strip. Put some plastic wrap over the stripper and it will keep it moist longer and you should get off more than one layer at a time. I saw this tip on a home improvement show and am planning on using it when I get to my monster strip job. <br>tanya

SoyGel is wonderful. A very effective stripper. I even like the way it smells (it's not 100% odorless). I don't go near the corrosive stuff. <br> <br>There's no stripping job I've done where SoyGel didn't work and something else did. And I've tried them all. <br> <br>It's not cheap, but I'm on my second gallon, and when it's empty I'll get another one. <br> <br>Oh, and always put plastic wrap over your job if it's a tough one. <br> <br>I always reach for the SoyGel when I can't do it with a heat gun. <br> <br>Greg

Very cool! I did try using saran wrap over the citristrip, learned that trick here, but the plastic wrap practically melted. I'm going to try the citristrip on my fireplace mantel to see if I can get the rest of the paint off, and try the soy stuff on the other piece. <br> <br>Thanks! <br>Stefanie

I wonder if a heavier plastic wrap would work. Not good news that the wrap practically melted since that is my plan for the door to my livingroom this summer. I saw them do it on TOH but they probably used some special high tech wrap from NASA or something. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] I'm going to look into the soy gel too, that sounds like something right up my alley. <br> <br>tanya

I'm a real evangelist for SoyGel. But at $55/gallon, they should send out little samples. <br> <br>Greg

I used the citristrip on the fireplace after I scraped all the paint off, and it worked all right. Got some of the stain off, but that was fine by me. I'm going to use up the citristrip, and then go for the soy-gel. I've got to strip the woodwork in the front room before I paint it. My mother in law, bless her heart, just said to paint over the bubbling paint with Kilz, but I just can't. Once I get the paint off, I'll decide if I want to go with White Hyacinth or Indian White (S-W A&C colors) for the trim or go with a stain. The walls are currently Cobble Brown, a nice, warm chocolately color. <br> <br>Stefanie

We carry Soy Gel in all sizes the quart, gallon, 2.5 gallon and the 5 gallon container. <br>The thing about Soy Gel is the longer you leave it on the better it works. I have tested it with multi-layers and after some time it will start to penetrate and loosen the paint and all you have to do is wipe the paint off. I have seen it start to work as little as 5 - 10 min. with two layers. <br>Allen's Outdoor Supplies <br>910-642-3505 <br>

Stephanie, <br> <br> In the process of doing a bunch of stripping on my 1915 4-square in Des Moines Iowa and was referred to a product called ultra-strip by back to nature. I have had great success removing over 10 layers in one application. the only drawback, it's about 60 bucks a gallon, but the time it saves you is worth it. You can purchase it at either Sherwin-Williams or Diamond Vogel locations or some locations on the internet. I wouldn't even bother with the other products such as multi-strip, it wasn't as effective. Hope this info helps and good luck stripping! <br> <br> <br>-Ben-

I've been driven to the dark side. <br> <br>Regular old nasty methylene chloride has one big benefit... no raising of the grain. <br> <br>And it works. <br> <br>Methylene chloride is quite volatile, as anybody who's used it can attest. It breaks down quickly in the atmosphere. The HCl produced by this process is rained out, and the amount of HCl returning to the earth's surface through this mechanism is negligible compared with natural sources, as are the amounts of CO2 and CO added to the atmosphere. <br> <br>You produce more CO2 and CO driving to work. <br> <br>Or so I have read. <br> <br>Greg