QCS Stripper; Review of The Safest Paint Stripping Product

See how I used QCS Stripper by Stripwell to easily strip the stain and sealer off of an old cabinet top. With this all natural, NO VOC formula, stripping furniture is a breeze and so much less toxic than other products!

I’ve been refinishing furniture for years….Actually about 20 if I think about it. Most of my early days of refinishing started with using the age old paint strippers and slopping it all over a piece of furniture while pulling the paint off with a paint scraper. I did all this with no mask, no gloves, no protection. GASP. I’m gasping at myself thinking how much I didn’t know about the dangers of these harsh chemicals.

Fast forward to today. I’m older now (I like to think wiser too)and life has shown me a few things. Watching friends suffer cancer and reading about the effects of these harsh chemicals has opened my eyes to wanting to use safer, cleaner and better paint stripping options.

Enter Stripwell QCS stripper

One of the most significant advantages of QCS Stripper is its safety. Unlike traditional paint strippers that contain harsh chemicals, QCS Stripper is made from natural ingredients that are safe for humans and the environment. This product is non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and does not emit harmful fumes, making it an excellent choice for those who are concerned about their health and the environment.

By the way, this is NOT a sponsored post. I’m just a girl that loves to find new awesome products to flip furniture and other wood surfaces without harmful ingredients!

Overview of QCS Stripper

Product Description

QCS Stripper is a paint stripping product that is known for being one of the safest options on the market. It is designed to remove paint, varnish, and other coatings mainly from vintage wood furniture. The product is formulated to be low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and is non-flammable, making it a safer option for both the user and the environment.

Manufacturer Information

QCS Stripper is manufactured by Quality Chemical Company, a family-owned business based in Pennsylvania. The company has been in business since 1976 and prides itself on providing high-quality, environmentally friendly products. In addition to paint strippers, Quality Chemical Company also produces a range of other cleaning and coating products.

The company is committed to sustainability and uses recycled materials in its packaging whenever possible. It also works to reduce waste and energy use in its manufacturing processes. Quality Chemical Company has a reputation for excellent customer service and offers technical support to its customers.

Performance Evaluation

Effectiveness on Different Paint Types

QCS Stripper was tested on various paint types including latex, oil-based, and enamel paints. The results showed that the product was highly effective in removing all types of paint. The stripper was able to penetrate through multiple layers of paint and remove them completely without damaging the underlying surface.

Time Efficiency

QCS Stripper is a fast-acting product that works quickly to remove paint. The time it takes to remove the paint depends on the thickness of the paint and the number of layers. For most applications, the stripper can remove paint in as little as 15 minutes. In some cases, it may take longer, but the product is still faster than most other paint strippers on the market.

How to clean the surface after using QCS Paint Stripper?

Stripwell also makes a similar product as the QCS Stripper but it’s purpose is to clean, not strip. It’s called QCS Surface Cleanser and works in conjunction with the stripper to clean the surface really well after it’s been stripped.

Ever heard of a liquid sandpaper product? That’s what I envision this product to be.

Straight from their website,

“QCS Surface Cleanser is an innovative pre-paint & post-strip all-in-one surface preparation formula.“

I might forgo the Liquid sandpaper product from here on out and buy a bottle of this. I would suggest you do too.

Comparison with Other Paint Strippers

If you’ve been around my blog a while you know that I’ve tried almost all the paint strippers on the market. I’ve even tried a few non paint stripper options like Oven Spray. Let’s talk about QCS compared to those.

QCS vs. Easy Off oven cleaner

I don’t even know what to say about this other than “just because it works to strip furniture doesn’t mean you should use it to strip furniture”, LOL.

Any pros of the Easy Off Oven cleaner stripper method are outweighed by the fact that this product is highly toxic and was never really intended to be used as a furniture stripper anyway. It does strip paint very well but not necessarily all finishes (like factory finishes).

I wrote about a few lessons learned using Easy Off Oven Cleaner turned furniture stripper. I also did a full review blog post with video on comparing a handful of stripper side by side with Easy Off Oven cleaner. If you decide to go the oven cleaner stripper route, check those out first.

The winner: QCS

QCS vs. Citri Strip

Citri Strip is (or has been) my all time go-to paint stripper. I love the gel because it sticks and works well on vertical surfaces. It’s also a safer stripping option without methylene chloride or NMP. Buyer beware; just because it’s a “safer stripper option” doesn’t mean it’s safe. Also, in order for it to be fully effective, the product needs to sit on the surface a while and/or be covered in something like saran wrap. Check out how I used it to strip stain and sealer off of an old vintage desk.

So how does it compare to QCS? In my opinion QCS still has it beat. Even though Citri Strip might be a safer option, QCS is still the SAFEST option. Also, after watching many reviews and my own personal experience, QCS is just as effective as Citri Strip at removing paint, stain and varnish and in a shorter amount of time.

The winner: QCS

QCS vs. Heat Gun

A heat gun is a tool that uses hot air to soften and loosen paint, making it easier to remove. When the heat gun is turned on, it produces a stream of hot air that is directed at the surface of the painted object. The hot air raises the temperature of the paint, causing it to expand and soften. That being said, heat guns aren’t the most effective at removing harder to remove products like varnishes and stains.

Heat guns typically work best at removing larger paint particles like a top layer of laminate from a cabinet surface. Even though a heat gun doesn’t produce VOC’s and isn’t necessarily toxic (unless it’s heating something toxic), it’s also not very effective.

The winner: QCS

QCS vs. Sanding

Sanding is an effective option to stripping furniture, but you risk sanding through the actual wood finish and removing the beautiful natural wood color too. Also, you have to be careful sanding through potentially toxic surfaces like lead paint where you can release those toxins in the air.

Also, sanding can be waaayyy more labor intense and time consuming than applying stripper and removing the paint or top coat.

Most people, including myself, use sanding in conjunction with a good stripper product.

I can still say once again,

The winner: QCS

By the way, Stripwell has a very informative YouTube Channel where he tests a lot of other stripping options against QCS. Check those out if you want more information.

Price Comparison

When comparing the price of QCS Stripper to other paint strippers on the market, it is important to consider the cost per gallon. QCS Stripper is priced at $50 per gallon, which is higher than most of the other options available. However, QCS is the only stripper that can be reused.

Yep, you read that right. QCS can be recycled and reused by simply saving the excess “run off.” For example, whatever you are stripping, as you spray the piece, try to keep the spray contained like with a plastic drop cloth beneath it and pour the excess liquid back into the bottle. Even if it looks dirty it will still work! Genius!

Performance

When it comes to performance, QCS Stripper stands out from other paint strippers on the market. Unlike traditional paint strippers, QCS Stripper does not contain methylene chloride, which is a highly toxic chemical that can cause serious health issues. QCS Stripper is also effective at removing paint from a variety of surfaces, including wood and metal.

In comparison to other eco-friendly paint strippers, QCS Stripper is also highly effective. Some other eco-friendly options like Citri Strip may take longer to work or require multiple applications (and a plastic covering), but QCS Stripper is able to remove paint in just one application.

Overall, while QCS Stripper may be more expensive than some other paint strippers on the market, its safety and effectiveness make it a worthwhile investment for those looking for a safer and more eco-friendly option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is QCS Stripwell safe for indoor use?

Yes, QCS Stripwell is safe for indoor use. It is an eco friendly paint stripping product that does not emit harmful fumes or odors.

Does Stripwell work on all types of paint?

QCS Stripwell is effective on most types of paint, including latex, oil-based, and enamel.

Is Stripwell environmentally friendly?

Yes, QCS Stripwell is environmentally friendly. It is biodegradable and does not contain any harmful chemicals such as methylene chloride or NMP. It is also VOC-free, which means it does not contribute to air pollution.

What are the active ingredients in QCS Stripwell?

QCS Stripwell contains a blend of surfactants, solvents, and other proprietary ingredients that work together to break down and remove paint. It does not contain methylene chloride or NMP.

Where to buy QCS paint stripper?

As of today, it’s only available through the Stripwell website.

Conclusion

QCS Stripper is a reliable and safe paint stripping product that is designed to remove paint from surfaces without causing any harm to the environment or the user. The product is formulated with natural ingredients that are biodegradable and non-toxic, making it a safe alternative to traditional paint strippers.

Overall, I highly recommend QCS Stripper with its natural ingredients and effective formula that makes it a top choice for those who want to remove paint without the use of harsh chemicals.