| 1.You say your product is award-winning - what award? |
| 2.You say your products are safe, but you do not say on the label what it contains |
| 3.There are a number of "safe" or "eco Friendly" paint removers around - what is so different with yours? |
| 4. What are VOC's? |
| 5. I have used the normal solvent strippers for years - why should I change to Eco Solutions products? |
| 6. Are Eco Solutions' products as quick as Methylene Chloride strippers? |
7. Do Eco Solutions' products damage surrounding surfaces?
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| 1. You say your product is award-winning - what award? |
| Eco Solutions' products have been awarded the millennium Products marque by the United Kingdom Design Council in conjunction with the British Industry and a British Government initiative. The Millennium Products award has been issued to only 1,012 companies, who were carefully selected on the basis of technical merit, creativity and innovativeness for the 21st century.
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2. You say your products are safe, but you do not say on the label what it contains
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| Eco Solutions' products are mainly water - it is the innovativeness of the invention which causes the water to soften, remove paints and other finishes. Eco Solutions' products have a CE mark for safety and are classified as safe for use by children of 5 years+. (DIYers are becoming younger every day!) |
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3.There are a number of "safe" or "eco friendly" paint removers around - what is so different with yours?
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| Eco Solutions' products are unique - they are patented internationally and are the only product we know of which have minimal VOC content. All the other products we know of on the market continue to contain a high percentage of solvents, and therefore have a high or very high VOC content. Eco Solutions' products are water-based not solvent-based, and unlike caustic-based (lye) paint removers, are ph neutral, do not burn the skin or discolour the wood. |
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4. What are voc's?
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| Volatile Organic Compounds. These are found in many products, such as aerosols paint and chemical formulations. VOC's contribute to depletion of the ozone layer and are environmentally damaging. Solvent-based products damage the environment both at the time of manufacture and at the time of use. |
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5. I have used the normal solvent strippers for years - why should I change to Eco Solutions' products?
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| It is a smart move if you value your own and your family's health and that of the environment. DCM (Methylene Chloride) is a highly toxic solvent which has known side effects for both health and the environment. Methylene Chloride is listed as a Class III carcinogen in the European Union and is banned in a number of States in the USA. Study the back of the container and you will see the risk phrase "can cause irreversible effects". Do you want to take that chance? The affects on the heart can also be quite alarming. |
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6. Are Eco Solutions' products as quick as Methylene Chloride strippers?
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| Yes, but the way of working is different. With Eco Solutions' products you can apply and go away and leave for some time, depending on the number of- and type of coating(s). The product can be left to work over-night, if required. The actual time taken "at the coal face" removing finish is just as quick as with Methylene Chloride. |
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| 7. Do Eco Solutions' products damage surrounding surfaces |
| Always cover carpets, upholstery, polished surfaces and so on before starting work. However, Eco Solutions' products will not affect these surfaces if our products are washed off immediately. Our product range is safe and does not affect most surfaces, including most nylons and plastics. However it will "etch" some surfaces such as perspex. |
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| Environmental |
| 1. How do VOC's affect the environment? |
| 2. How do I dispose of paint waste which I suspect contains lead? |
| 3. I have a small amount of Home Strip left over from a job - how do I dispose of this? |
| 4. I am using Eco Solutions' Graffiti Go! on a building in the city centre and intend to wash off with a pressure washer - what precautions should I take? |
| 5. Are Eco Solutions' products made from natural products? |
| 6. Are Eco Solutions' products biodegradable? |
| 7. Do Eco Solutions' products have an affect on watercourses?
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| 1. How do VOC's affect the environment? |
| VOC's, or volatile organic compounds, contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. Wherever possible, VOC's are being phased-out of manufacturing processes.
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| 2. How do I dispose of paint waste which I suspect contains lead? |
| Paint waste can contain many toxins and metals, including lead. You must always ensure that you dispose of any potentially hazardous material as directed by all relevant authorities. However, if you are certain that your paint is lead-free, then small amounts of paint waste can normally be wrapped in newspaper and disposed of in the normal waste, but you must check with relevant authorities and comply with local regulations. If you suspect your paint waste contains lead, please contact your paint retailer and obtain professional advice on the safe disposal of lead-based paints. |
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| 3. I have a small amount of Home Strip left over from a job - how do I dispose of this? |
| As a product, Home Strip is perfectly safe to be washed down the sink with plenty of water. Home Strip is not a marine pollutant so accidental spills into watercourses will not affect fish and other marine life. However, you must check locally to ensure you comply with local waste disposal regulations. |
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| 4. I am using Eco Solutions' Graffiti Go! on a building in the city centre and intend to wash off with a pressure washer - what precautions should I take? |
| Cordon off the pavement area as decreed by the local authorities to avoid slips by the general public. Graffiti Go! itself entering the drains is not a problem, but the paint being removed may well be hazardous, and may require special treatment. Check with all relevant local authorities before beginning your work. |
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| 5. Are Eco Solutions' products made from natural products? |
| here are a mixture of natural and man-made ingredients all of which are readily biodegradable. |
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| 6. Are Eco Solutions' products biodegradable? |
| Yes - Eco Solutions' products are readily biodegradable. |
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| 7. Do Eco Solutions' products have an affect on watercourses? |
| No Eco Solutions' products do not contain a marine pollutant. |
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| Health and Safety |
| 1. I want to use Home Strip in a corner cupboard fitted into a small room and am worried about fumes. |
| 2. I suffer from asthma and cannot use solvents - is it OK for me to use Eco Solutions' products? |
| 3. I believe I have lead paint in my house - what precautions should I take? |
| 4. Do I need to wear protective clothing when using Eco Solutions' products? |
5. Can I use Eco Solutions' products when my children or pets are around?
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| 1. I want to use Home Strip in a corner cupboard fitted into a small room and am worried about fumes. |
| None of Eco Solutions' products give off fumes - you can use these products without ventilating the area. Even with larger items such as chairs there is no need to work outside or in the garage - you can work in the comfort of your home, knowing you, your family and your pets will be safe! |
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| 2. I suffer from asthma and cannot use solvents - is it OK for me to use Eco Solutions' products? |
| Yes, Eco Solutions' products are totally safe for asthma sufferers as there are no fumes. |
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| 3. I believe I have lead paint in my house - what precautions should I take? |
| Please note that solvent strippers can give a mixture of solvent and lead fumes - not to be recommended! Removal of lead paint is dangerous but with Eco Solutions' products it is safe. Eco Solutions' products act as "working wet" therefore eliminating ingestion of any paint particles or lead fumes. NEVER USE SANDPAPER OR A HEAT GUN TO REMOVE LEAD PAINT. Lead is particularly dangerous for children and the unborn child - large quantities can cause brain damage or even death. |
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| 4. Do I need to wear protective clothing when using Eco Solutions' products? |
| Although Eco Solutions' products do not cause skin burns, it is advisable to wear protective gloves for prolonged exposure. You do not need to wear a mask unless you are particularly sensitive to paint. Wear eye goggles if using Eco Solutions' products with a pressure hose, or if using a plastic brush to clean heavily carved timber. If you do get paint waste and/or Eco Solutions' products in your eyes, wash with plenty of water. |
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| 5. Can I use Eco Solutions' products when my children or pets are around? |
| Yes, because as there are no fumes and no skin burns, there are no tears if children or pets accidentally come into contact with Eco Solutions' products. Accidental swallowing will not cause narcotic effects. However, if accidentally swallowed do not induce vomiting and contact your doctor or vet. |
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| Practical |
1. How long do Eco Solutions' products take to react?
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| 2. What do I clean my brushes with after using Eco Solutions' products?
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| 3. How do I clean the surface after stripping? |
4. How do I use Home Strip?
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5. What is the approximate coverage of, say, 1 litre of Home Strip?
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6. I am stripping my doors which have some metal and aluminium fittings - do I need to remove these?
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| 7. I want to use Home Strip on some very old furniture I have inherited and am not sure what of wood it is made of.
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8. I have some cane furniture in my summerhouse - is this suitable for stripping?
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9. We have just moved house and the rear brickwork on the house has been painted - can I use Eco Solutions' products?
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10. I want to strip back my staircase - it looks a daunting job - have you any tips?
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11. My 2 year old has got hold of his sister's pens and written all over our newly painted hallway - what can I use to remove this without having to repaint again?
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| 1 How long do Eco Solutions' products take to react? |
| This depends on the type of finish to be removed. Unlike with solvent-based paint-strippers, there is not always an immediate blistering of the paint but this does not mean it is not working! The most important thing to remember when using Eco Solutions' products is that it is the product doing the work - not you. Leave and go away and do something else. Paints take between 30 minutes to 1 hour and multi-layered paint can be left overnight without drying out. Polishes and varnishes can be removed after as little a time as 5-10 minutes. |
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2 What do I clean my brushes with after using Eco Solutions' products? |
| It couldn't be easier, just wash with warm soapy water. Incidentally, if you have repainted the stripped surface and have forgotten to clean your brush and it has set hard - with Eco Solutions' Brush Restorer your brush can be restored like new! |
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| 3 How do I clean the surface after stripping? |
| Again, very easy. Just clean with water or a damp cloth. Make sure there is no residue of Eco Solutions' products trapped in any corners or cracks - make sure these areas are cleaned thoroughly with water. Leave the surface to dry naturally, as forced drying (e.g. with a dehumidifier) is likely to crack and warp wood. Do not dry in strong direct sunlight or next to a heat source, since this is also likely to crack or warp wood. |
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| 4 How do I use Home Strip? |
1. Application of the product
with paintbrush  |
2. Removal of product with paint
scraper or, for ornate carving,
with stainless steel scouring ball.  |
3. Removal of product residue with
cloth or scourer and water. |
4. Lightly sand when dry.  |
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| 5 What is the approximate coverage of, say, 1 litre of Home Strip? |
| Home Strip gives up to 3 times more coverage than traditional solvent-based strippers. However, the coverage will depend upon the type of coating and thickness. On average the coverage is 3-5 square meters per litre. |
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| 6 I am stripping my doors which have some metal and aluminium fittings - do I need to remove these? |
| No - these will strip back just as well. Because of the high water content in Eco Solutions' products, you should treat metalwork with a rust inhibitor after stripping. Unlike other water-based strippers such as caustic (lye), aluminium will not be affected. |
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| 7 I want to use Home Strip on some very old furniture I have inherited and am not sure what of wood it is made of. |
| Don't worry, Eco Solutions' products are pH neutral which means that there will be no discolouration of the wood whether a soft wood (such as pine) or a hard wood (such as oak, teak or mahogany). |
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| 8 I have some cane furniture in my summerhouse - is this suitable for stripping? |
| Eco Solutions' products - yes! Because of the round and intricate detail of cane furniture, we recommend you use a stainless steel or plastic scouring pad to remove the Eco Solutions' products. A scraper may scratch the surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. |
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| 9 We have just moved house and the rear brickwork on the house has been painted - can I use Eco Solutions' products |
| Yes, apply a good layer and clean off with a bucket of water and plastic brush - or even quicker - a pressure washer. Home Strip is suitable for all sorts of surfaces, such as stone, concrete, breeze block, brickwork etc. |
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| 10 I want to strip back my staircase - it looks a daunting job - have you any tips? |
| Yes, Eco Solutions' product range is ideal for this type of project. Firstly, work in sections, so that you can see real results after a relatively short time and give you an incentive to get the job done! Coat up with Home Strip late in the day, when the house is quiet and leave to work overnight. Use a stainless steel or plastic scourer to remove paint from the turned stair spindles and newel posts. The next evening, apply a second coat, if required, and leave overnight. Use a wet cloth to wipe surfaces clean. To remove the last pieces of paint from deep crevices of the spindles, very carefully pass over with a fine scraper and/or stainless steel scouring ball (as used in kitchen utensils). |
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| 11 My 2 year old has got hold of his sister's pens and written all over our newly painted hallway - what can I use to remove this without having to repaint again? |
| Use Eco Solutions' Graffiti Go! Leave only for 30 seconds and try rubbing with a soft cloth. If some pen marks are left, repeat. With careful timing, it is possible to remove graffiti of any kind using Eco Solutions' Graffiti Go! without affecting the underlying surface. Graffiti Go! works like magic! |
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