Stripping work

Stripping work: Applications in construction

Stripping work is essential for effectively renovating a surface. Whether it’s wood, metal, or stone, stripping ensures a sound substrate before any treatment in the renovation of various spaces, including homes, public infrastructure, road structures, and even industrial facilities. In this article, we will explore the different methods of stripping, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each, while providing practical advice on choosing the best approach depending on the material to be treated.

Why are they essential ?

Stripping involves removing a layer of material from a surface in order to maintain or renovate it. This step is essential before treating, protecting, painting, or varnishing a surface. It allows surfaces to be restored to their original appearance.

Facade sandblasting : method and limitations

Sandblasting is a relatively aggressive cleaning method that cannot be used on all surfaces. This technique involves blasting a dry abrasive onto a hard surface without adding water.

However, this method is gradually being replaced by other gentler techniques, such as hydro-rubbing or air-rubbing.

Advantages of sandblasting

Disadvantages of sandblasting

Strips

Aggressive technique: damages the material

Cleans

Removes limestone, which is the natural protective layer of stone

Deoxidizes and degreases

Produces dust

Wide range of applications

Leaves a rough surface

Effective for cleaning facades

Consumes abrasive material

Creates roughness that facilitates adhesion

Causes silicosis due to the presence of silica

Hydro-gumming vs. air-gumming: which stripping technique should you choose ?

Air blasting is a stripping technique similar to sandblasting, but gentler. It involves spraying an abrasive at low pressure, without water, allowing for dry cleaning suitable for various surfaces. This method uses environmentally friendly abrasives that are not harmful to health.

Hydro-gumming is based on the same principle, but with the addition of water. This limits dust production and makes the technique gentler on fragile surfaces.

Shooting a chemical stripper for your stripping work

Chemical strippers remove coatings without damaging the substrate (stone, iron, wood, etc.). They soften paint or glue using solvents and active ingredients. The product should be chosen based on the type of surface and coating to be removed.

Gel strippers are ideal for smooth, impermeable surfaces, as they act slowly without running.

Important safety precaution ! Before use, take safety measures, as these products are very aggressive and harmful to the user.

Our stripping products :

Biodegradable Gel Paint Stripper – SCALPEX® EKO’R

SCALPEX® EKO’R is a biodegradable, gel-based façade stripper formulated for the rapid and safe removal of:

  • Paints (including old lead-based layers)
  • Textured coatings (RPE/RSE)
  • Waterproofing films
  • Thin layers on plaster, concrete, stone, and brick

Its gel texture ensures precise application without drips, making it perfect for vertical surfaces and façades. SCALPEX® EKO’R can be applied with a roller, brush, or pneumatic sprayer, and begins acting in as little as 40 minutes, depending on coating type and thickness.

Ultra-Fast Gel Paint Remover for Façades – SCALPEX® SD+

SCALPEX® SD+ is an ultra-fast gel paint stripper designed to efficiently remove paints, waterproofing systems, thin RPE coatings, and graffiti from a wide range of exterior surfaces, including render, concrete, stone, brick, wood, and mineral substrates.

Thanks to its innovative “flash effect” formula, it softens coatings in just 15–60 minutes depending on thickness. Ready to use, this gel paint remover is simple to apply with a brush or airless sprayer. Odourless and DCM-free, SCALPEX® SD+ is ideal for rapid, high-performance stripping on vertical façades and exterior walls.

Professional Paint Stripper for Façades – SCALPEX® SD NG

SCALPEX® SD NG is an ultra-fast chemical paint stripper designed for the rapid and safe removal of waterproofing systems, RPE coatings, thin paint films, adhesives, inks, varnishes, and graffiti. Free from methylene chloride, NMP, and NEP, this high-performance paint stripper remover delivers effective action across a wide range of substrates, including plaster, concrete, stone, brick, glass mosaic, wood, and mineral coatings.

Its optimised gel viscosity ensures excellent adhesion on vertical surfaces, making it the ideal paint remover for façades, exterior walls, and architectural elements.

Other types of stripping : 

  • Thermal stripping: Use of a heating device to soften and remove the coating.
  • Mechanical stripping: Use of abrasive tools (sanders, brushes, spatulas) to remove layers of material.

These methods are recommended for small surfaces and require a certain amount of expertise.

Metal stripping :

Iron or metal objects (shutters, gates, balconies) are prone to oxidation and corrosion. Stripping restores the original appearance before applying a protective treatment or new paint.

It is used on surfaces such as zinc, aluminum, steel, cast iron, and wrought iron.

Wood stripping: suitable techniques and recommended products

Several techniques exist :

  • Thermal stripping : Fast and effective with a scraper or sanding finish.
  • Chemical stripping : Must be carried out outdoors due to toxic fumes.
  • Sanding : Suitable for thin layers of paint.
  • Mechanical stripping : Use of manual or machine-operated abrasives.

Our wood stripping products :

No-Rinse Paint Stripper for Wood – SCALPEX® NW NG

SCALPEX® NW NG is a high-performance gel paint remover for wood designed for fast and efficient coating removal across multiple surfaces, including wood, joinery, metal, zinc, concrete and stone. It enables reliable paint removal on wood, eliminating paint, varnish and wood stains with precision. Its gel consistency provides excellent adhesion without dripping, making it particularly effective on vertical surfaces such as staircases, window frames and decorative joinery. Suitable for both interior and exterior applications, this professional-grade paint stripper for wood is ideal for renovation projects, refurbishment work and routine maintenance.

Essential equipment for effective stripping :

  • A suitable stripping product
  • An application brush
  • A metal spatula
  • A paint knife
  • A soft wire brush

Mastering stripping techniques is essential to ensure a successful renovation. Choose the method best suited to your surface for optimal results.

Discover our range of stripping products and bring your surfaces back to life !

Share