Selleys Kwik Strip
What is Selleys Kwik Strip, and where should you use it?
Selleys Kwik Strip is a rapid action solvent-based paint and varnish remover, supplied in a heavily bodied form so it can be brushed onto vertical surfaces without running off. It is suitable for removing all household paints and most industrial, marine and automotive finishes, and it is best suited to working on small areas rather than whole facades.
The one thing to settle before you buy: Kwik Strip is methylene chloride based and must be used outdoors only. Methylene chloride vapour is harmful to health on prolonged exposure, so the item you are stripping has to be moved to an open, shady outdoor area with real ventilation. If the job cannot be moved outside, this is not the product for it.
Technical specification
| Property | Typical result |
|---|---|
| Technology | Solvent based |
| Colour | Translucent |
| Coat thickness | 2–3mm, applied by brush |
| Blistering time | 15 minutes |
| Clean up | Washes off with water |
| Packaging | 250mL, 500mL, 1L and 4L cans |
These figures are indicative data from the product's technical data sheet and are not intended for the preparation of specifications.
What the numbers mean in practice
The two numbers that decide whether a strip goes well are the 2–3mm coat thickness and the 15 minute blistering time, and they work together.
A thick coat matters because the stripper works by soaking into and lifting the paint film, and a thin, scrubbed-out coat dries and stops working before it has penetrated. The heavily bodied consistency exists precisely so you can build that thickness on a door face or a chair leg without it sliding off.
The 15 minutes is the window in which the paint blisters. Selleys' own instruction is to work in small sections to avoid paint rehardening — which is the failure mode when you coat a whole door at once and take twenty minutes to scrape the first half. By the time you reach the far end, the stripper has spent itself and the paint has set back down, and you end up doing that section twice. Coating an area you can scrape inside the blistering window is the difference between one pass and three.
Kwik Strip washes off with water, which is convenient, but the technical data sheet is specific that you should not use excessive water when scrubbing down. On fine timber where there is a danger of raising or swelling the grain, use methylated spirits for the wash instead of water.
Where to use it
- All household paints
- Most industrial finishes
- Most marine finishes
- Most automotive finishes
It is effective on most surfaces and is best suited to small areas. Because the formulation is heavily bodied, vertical surfaces — door faces, frames, furniture legs — are a natural fit.
How to apply it
Before you start: move the item to be stripped to an open, shady outdoor area to ensure adequate ventilation. Avoid inhaling fumes. Wear gloves.
- Apply a thick, even coat, 2–3mm thick, with a paint brush. Work in small sections to avoid the paint rehardening before you get to it.
- Allow 15 minutes for the paint to completely blister before removing it with a scraper or steel wool. On delicate wood, use a non-metallic scourer instead so you do not damage the timber.
- Scrub the surface with warm water. Do not use excessive water. On fine timbers where there is a danger of raising or swelling the grain, use methylated spirits instead.
- Allow the surface to dry thoroughly before repainting.
- Wash the applicator brush in water and screw the lid on tightly after use.
Two tips from the manufacturer are worth building into the job. Lightly sandpapering or scoring the paint first enhances stripping — scouring the surface lets Kwik Strip penetrate the paint layers more easily, which matters on a door carrying five decades of coats. And again: work on a small section at a time to avoid paint rehardening.
Limitations — where Kwik Strip should not be used
These are the manufacturer's stated limits. They are not stylistic preferences, and the first one in particular decides whether you can use the product at all.
- Use outdoors only. Methylene chloride vapour is harmful to health on prolonged exposure.
- Not suitable for application to fibreglass, PVC, acrylics, linoleum, rubber or plastics.
- Will not remove Kalsomine, penetrating stains, or some specialist industrial finishes.
- Methylene chloride based strippers can darken some timbers. If you are clear finishing rather than repainting, test the stripper on an inconspicuous area first.
- Do not use hot air guns or torches with paint stripper.
The plastics limitation is the one that catches people out on furniture and vehicle work, where a painted panel sits next to a moulded trim. Kwik Strip does not distinguish between the two — mask or remove anything on that list before you brush.
Hazard classification
Kwik Strip is classified as hazardous under Safe Work Australia GHS 7. The classification most people are unaware of is the third one.
- Carcinogenicity — Category 2. Hazard statement H351: suspected of causing cancer.
- Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure — Category 3, narcotic effects. H336: may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- Skin irritation — Category 2. H315: causes skin irritation.
- Eye irritation — Category 2A. H319: causes serious eye irritation.
The signal word on the pack is Warning.
This is why the outdoors-only instruction is not about smell or comfort. It is a suspected carcinogen, and the reason the product works — a volatile solvent that attacks the paint film — is also the reason the vapour reaches you.
What is in it
| Chemical entity | CAS number | Proportion (w/w) |
|---|---|---|
| Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) | 75-09-2 | >60% |
| Ethanol | 64-17-5 | 10–30% |
| 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene | 95-63-6 | 1–10% |
| Non-hazardous or below reporting limits | — | Balance |
Dichloromethane is more than 60% of the product by weight. It is the active ingredient, and it is the source of every one of the hazard classifications above.
Exposure standards and protection
| Component | TWA (ppm) | TWA (mg/m³) | Notation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dichloromethane | 50 | 174 | Sk — skin absorption is a significant exposure route |
| Ethanol | 1000 | 1880 | — |
The Sk notation on dichloromethane is the detail that changes how you work. It means absorption through the skin is a significant source of exposure in its own right — so gloves are not optional comfort, and a splash on the forearm is an exposure, not a mess. Keeping the vapour away from your face does not by itself keep you below the limit.
Required protection:
- Gloves — nitrile rubber, suitable for intermittent contact. Assess against your own conditions, since glove construction varies.
- Eye protection — chemical goggles or safety glasses.
- Overalls and safety shoes — full coverage; this product causes skin irritation and is absorbed through skin.
Ventilation is the primary control, and for this product the only acceptable form of it is working outdoors. The safety data sheet is explicit that it cannot be used safely indoors even with a ventilation system — an extractor fan or open windows is not an equivalent. Work in an open, shaded area, eliminate ignition sources, and wash hands, face and all exposed skin afterwards.
First aid
| Exposure | What to do |
|---|---|
| Skin | Immediately remove all contaminated clothing and flush skin and hair with running water. For gross contamination, drench the area and remove clothing at once, continuing to flush, adding soap if the material will not rinse away. Cover any burn with a clean dry dressing. Do not break blisters. If swelling, redness, blistering or irritation develops, get medical help immediately. |
| Eyes | Hold the eyelids apart and flush continuously with running water — until the Poisons Information Centre or a doctor says to stop, or for at least 15 minutes — then go to a doctor or hospital. |
| Inhalation | Remove the person from exposure without becoming a casualty yourself. Remove contaminated clothing, loosen the rest, let them take the most comfortable position and keep them warm and at rest. Seek medical advice if effects persist. |
| Swallowed | Rinse the mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting. Give a glass of water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If vomiting occurs, give more water and seek medical advice immediately. |
If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or the Poisons Information Centre — 131 126 in Australia, 0800 764 766 in New Zealand — and have the container or label with you.
Anyone giving first aid should be wearing the same protection as the user: safety shoes, overalls, nitrile gloves and chemical goggles. Contaminated clothing is itself a source of exposure.
Clean up and storage
Kwik Strip washes off with water. Wash the applicator brush in water and screw the lid on tightly after use. Store the can locked up in a dry, cool, well ventilated place.
Warnings, first aid and shipping information are on the product's Safety Data Sheet, available through the Selleys website.
Common questions about Selleys Kwik Strip
Can I use it indoors?
No — outdoors only, and this is not a preference. Kwik Strip is over 60% dichloromethane and is classified Carcinogenicity Category 2, H351: suspected of causing cancer. The safety data sheet states it cannot be used safely indoors even with a ventilation system, so an extractor fan or open windows does not make an indoor job acceptable. Move the item to an open, shady outdoor area. If the job cannot be moved outside, this is not the product for it.
How long do I leave it on before scraping?
15 minutes, which is the time it takes for the paint to blister completely. Then remove it with a scraper or steel wool.
How thick should the coat be?
2–3mm, applied with a paint brush. The heavily bodied formulation is designed to hold that thickness on vertical surfaces.
Will it strip a whole door in one go?
It is best suited to small areas, and the instruction is to work in small sections so the paint does not reharden before you scrape it. Treat a door as several sections rather than one.
Can I use it on fibreglass or plastic?
No. It is not suitable for application to fibreglass, PVC, acrylics, linoleum, rubber or plastics.
Will it damage timber?
Methylene chloride based strippers can darken some timbers. If you plan to clear finish rather than repaint, test on an inconspicuous area first. When scrubbing off, avoid excessive water on fine timbers — use methylated spirits where there is a danger of raising or swelling the grain.
Is there anything it will not remove?
It will not remove Kalsomine, penetrating stains, or some specialist industrial finishes.
Can I speed it up with a heat gun?
No. Do not use hot air guns or torches with paint stripper.
Does scoring the paint first help?
Yes. Lightly sandpapering or scoring the paint enhances stripping by letting the product penetrate the paint layers more easily.
Is Kwik Strip a carcinogen?
It is classified Carcinogenicity Category 2 — hazard statement H351, suspected of causing cancer — on the strength of its dichloromethane content, which is over 60% of the product. It also carries H336 (may cause drowsiness or dizziness), H315 (skin irritation) and H319 (serious eye irritation).
What protection do I need to use it?
Nitrile gloves, chemical goggles, overalls and safety shoes, working outdoors. The exposure standard for dichloromethane carries an Sk notation, meaning skin absorption is a significant exposure route on its own — so covering your skin matters as much as keeping the vapour away from your face.
What do I do if I get it on my skin?
Remove contaminated clothing immediately and flush the skin and hair with running water, adding soap if it will not rinse away. Cover any burn with a clean dry dressing and do not break blisters. If swelling, redness or blistering develops, get medical help immediately. Poisons Information Centre: 131 126 in Australia, 0800 764 766 in New Zealand.
How do I clean up afterwards?
Kwik Strip washes off with water, and the applicator brush is washed in water. Scrub the stripped surface with warm water, without using excessive water, and let it dry thoroughly before repainting.
What sizes does it come in?
Cans in 250mL, 500mL, 1L and 4L.
How should I store it?
Locked up in a dry, cool, well ventilated place, with the lid screwed on tightly.
For removing graffiti rather than stripping a paint film, see Selleys Muck-Off Graffiti Remover, or browse the full paint removal range.
What is Selleys Kwik Strip used for?
Selleys Kwik Strip is a paint and varnish remover suitable for household paints and most industrial, marine, and automotive finishes. It is best suited for small areas.
What technology does Selleys Kwik Strip use?
Selleys Kwik Strip uses a solvent-based technology and has a translucent colour.
How do you apply Selleys Kwik Strip?
Apply a thick 2–3mm coat, allow 15 minutes for blistering, remove with a scraper, scrub with warm water, and allow the surface to dry before repainting.
Are there any safety limitations with Selleys Kwik Strip?
Yes, the methylene chloride vapour from Selleys Kwik Strip is harmful on prolonged exposure, so it should be used outdoors only.
How long should Selleys Kwik Strip be left on before removal?
Selleys Kwik Strip should be allowed 15 minutes for blistering before the paint is removed with a scraper.
What sizes is Selleys Kwik Strip available in?
According to the knowledge base, Selleys Kwik Strip is available in 250mL, 500mL, 1L, and 4L cans, as well as a 500g formulation.
What is the product code for the 1L can of Selleys Kwik Strip?
The knowledge base lists the product code for the 1L can of Selleys Kwik Strip as 9300697104908.
Can Selleys Kwik Strip be used indoors?
No, according to the page's usage notes, Selleys Kwik Strip should be used outdoors only.
What should be done after scrubbing the surface with warm water when using Selleys Kwik Strip?
After scrubbing with warm water, the surface should be allowed to dry before repainting.