How does a stripper actually remove floor finish?
There are basically two mechanisms that occur simultaneously to remove finish. The first involves amine (usually MEA) attacking the zinc crosslinking. This unlocks the polymers and improves the performance of the second mechanism. Alkaline builders and caustic are sometimes used to assist in this process. The second mechanism involves solvent (usually glycol ethers and/or alcohols) that dissolve and reliquify the finish. Together, these two mechanisms strip the finish. Surfactants are also used to assist in “wetting” the finish film.
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