How to Remove Powder Coating with B17

Author: Julia Keener

There are several ways to remove powder coating: Media (sand/glass bead) blasting, burn-off oven and Chemical Stripper. Experienced and those new to the industry know that preparation is key. Powder coating removal is important when a part is not brand new and/or has been treated. Another reason for removal of powder coating is needed when a mistake has been made. The learning process takes time and to offer the best finished product possible to your customer a redo might need to be done. With a simple removal of the powder coating the process can be started all over again.

One of the easiest ways to remove powder coating is chemically. Benco B17 is an industrial liquid chemical stripper that has a high concentration of methylene chloride that removes sturdy powder coating in less than 20 minutes. This chemical application is very aggressive and requires extra safety precautions while handling. Heavy duty rubber apron, eye protection and gloves are required for safe handling and preventative for injury. B17 will burn skin on contact so extreme safety measure must be used.

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STRIPPING PROCEDURES:

Apply Benco #B17 by submerging item in the stripper. Do not apply by a flow or continuous flow pump system.

Application by brush may be appropriate for smaller items.

Immerse and allow product to strip all coatings prior to removal.

For items with multiple coatings, one application will remove multiple coatings. If one application does not remove all coatings, immerse again immediately and residual coatings should be rapidly removed.

If the product has dried on the surface, reapply a coat of stripper prior to removal of finish for best results.

Stripped finishes can be removed with a scraper or brush, although brushing is not necessary on most items.

Removed finishes with stripper can be reapplied to extend the life of the stripper.

For best results, once finishes are removed from the surface, rinse with water.

Do not use on magnesium surfaces.

Use extreme caution with this product, as it will severely burn skin and eyes on contact.

Consult the  Safety Data Sheet for more specific product and safety information.

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Clean up with water. Immersing in a tank of water is effective for most applications. A heated water bath is more effective. A water bath heated above 104 degrees F will also flash off all methylene chloride, leaving no residual methylene chloride in the water bath. The water bath should also be maintained with a pH of 8-10. As the pH of the water bath will decrease with extended use, adjusting the pH with soda ash to the 8-10 level is recommended. The pH can be checked with pH strips, available from Benco Sales or from any pool & spa supply store.