Soy Gel Paint & Urethane Remover - Product FAQ's

1. How much of SOY•Gel™ will I need for my project?
2. Will SOY•Gel™ remove all types of paints and varnishes?
3. What application methods are used for SOY•Gel™?
4. Will SOY•Gel™ remove stain?
5. Does SOY•Gel™ raise the grain of the wood?
6. How long do I let SOY•Gel™ work?
7. How long before SOY•Gel™ evaporates?
8. What is the shelf life of SOY•Gel™?
9. Can SOY•Gel™ remove multiple layers of paint, varnish or urethane?
10. Can I use SOY•Gel™ to strip teak wood?
11. Do I need to dilute the product?
12. How is SOY•Gel™ removed once the coating has lifted?
13. Why is nothing happening?
14. What is the procedure for disposing of SOY•Gel™ after finishing the project?
15. How do I dispose of the lead-based paint?
16. What surfaces can I use SOY-Gel™ on?
17. How do I clean SOY-Gel™ up?
18. Do I have to wear gloves and/or a mask when using SOY-Gel™?

1. How much of SOY•Gel™ will I need for my project?
SOY-Gel™ will cover between 10 sq. ft. and 200 sq. ft. per gallon. Several factors should be considered when calculating coverage area including: type of coating, age of coating, indoor or outdoor coating, number of coatings, horizontal vs. vertical surface, and application method of SOY-Gel™. Expect to get less square footage with coatings that have multiple layers and coatings that are older and outdoors.
Below are estimated examples of possible sq. ft. per gallon when used on a horizontal surface
1 layer of latex paint = 150 - 200 sq. ft. per gallon
2 layers of acrylic sealer = 150 - 200 sq. ft. per gallon
5 layers of different coatings = 50 - 100 sq. ft. per gallon
1 layer of two part epoxy = 10 - 75 sq. ft. per gallon
3 layers of old outdoor coatings = 25 - 75 sq. ft. per gallon
*When using SOY-Gel™ on vertical surface expect coverage area to be reduced by half.

2. Will SOY•Gel™ remove all types of paints and varnishes?
SOY•Gel™ has been proven to remove most coatings including lead-based paints, enamels, oil and water based latex, varnishes, urethanes, shellac, epoxy, and acrylics.

3. What application methods are used for SOY•Gel™?
For best results, apply SOY•Gel™ with either an airless sprayer or a paintbrush. When using a paintbrush, make sure to use a "glopping" method when applying. Get the product on THICK. (approx. 1/8")  

4. Will SOY•Gel™ remove stain?
SOY•Gel™ will not remove stain. It may however lighten stain slightly.

5. Does SOY•Gel™ raise the grain of the wood?
When used properly, SOY•Gel™ will not raise the grain of the wood, however, leaving SOY•Gel™ on the surface longer than needed could result in furring of softer types of wood. (Rinsing the product off with too much water may also cause the grain to raise.)

6. How long do I let SOY•Gel™ work?
Remember "Thicker better, longer stronger". SOY•Gel™ can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 8 hours to work effectively depending on the type of coating and number of layers being removed. For best results, begin with a small test area before beginning the project. Test the surface every 20-30 minutes until the coatings begin to soften and are ready to be removed.

7. How long before SOY•Gel™ evaporates?
SOY•Gel™ has an extremely low evaporation rate. The product crystallizes when being left on for extended periods of time or in a mild or heavy breeze. Just add a little water and the product turns back into a gel. When using SOY•Gel™ in outdoor applications, the surface to be stripped may be covered with plastic to help keep it from crystallizing.

8. What is the shelf life of SOY•Gel™?
SOY•Gel™ has a shelf life of greater than 2 years.

 9. Can SOY•Gel™ remove multiple layers of paint, varnish or urethane?
SOY•Gel™ will remove multiple layers easily! SOY•Gel™ users have reported removing up to 20 layers of coatings with one application. When removing multiple layers of coatings apply SOY•Gel™ thickly and allow the product ample time to work until all the coatings have softened.

10. Can I use SOY•Gel™ to strip teak wood?
Yes, SOY•Gel™ works great on teak. Do not let the product sit for an extended period of time on the teak as it will start to extract the oils of the wood. If SOY•Gel™ is applied to raw teak, it will extract the oils and raise the grain.

11. Do I need to dilute the product?
No, do not dilute SOY•Gel™. It is water-soluble and will not work if water is added.

12. How is SOY•Gel™ removed once the coating has lifted?
Once the coating has softened, remove it using a scraper or other stripping tool.

13. Why is nothing happening?
The most common problem that occurs is, people do not let SOY•Gel™ work long enough. Generally, latex paints will "lift" much sooner than enamels. Because of its amazing staying power, SOY•Gel™ will stay moist for several hours, and as long as it is moist it continues to work on the coated surface. The second most common problem is that people do not put enough of the product on the surface. Make sure to have a thick coating of SOY•Gel™ (approx. 1/8") on the surface to be stripped.

14. What is the procedure for disposing of SOY•Gel™ after finishing the project?
SOY•Gel™ is 100% biodegradable. Check with your local landfill or EPA office about disposal of the coatings you are stripping.

15. How do I dispose of the lead-based paint?
Find out from your local landfill or EPA office about the regulations of disposal for lead-based paint in your area.

16. What surfaces can I use SOY-Gel™ on?
SOY-Gel™ will remove coatings from wood, metal, concrete, brick, cinder block, and non-porous stones. Soy-Gel is not recommended for plastic surfaces.

17. How do I clean SOY-Gel™ up?
Scrape off the coatings that have lifted from the surface. You will be left with an oily residue. SOY-Gel™ is mixed with a special blend of surfactants (soaps) that allow you to clean it from the surface using only water. For a faster and easier cleanup we recommend using a degreaser such as Franmar's EMERGE degreaser. There are no neutralizers needed when cleaning up after using SOY-Gel™.

18. Do I have to wear gloves and/or a mask when using SOY-Gel™?
SOY-Gel™ is extremely safe and will not burn the skin or emit any harsh odors, so use of gloves and mask is not required. But, it is always a good idea to take safety precautions such as wearing gloves, a mask and eye protection when working with any paint stripper, especially when the coating(s) to be removed are unknown as they may contain lead.

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