You can remove wet paint with a degreaser, but can’t remove dried paint coatings. The degreaser isn’t formulated with paint-removing additives and can’t remove dried paint.
You can safely use a degreaser to clean the surface before applying paint or clean a paint coating before re-coating it.
Can You Remove Wet Paint With a Degreaser?
You can remove wet paint with a degreaser as the paint hasn’t penetrated or adhered to the surface yet. A degreaser will penetrate the wet paint coating and dissolve it.
If a paint coating is wet, the paint solvent (oil or water) hasn’t evaporated, the particles and binder haven’t bound, and the paint hasn’t adhered to the surface yet, so a cleaning agent can dissolve or remove it with ease.
Can You Remove Dried Paint With a Degreaser?
You can’t remove dried paint with a degreaser as it can’t penetrate or dissolve the paint coating. When the paint dries (or cures) it reaches its maximum durability, adhesion, and strength, so a cleaning agent can’t remove it.
A degreaser is a cleaning agent made of soap ash and doesn’t contain paint-removing additives. Its purpose is to remove dirt and stains over the painted surfaces without affecting the paint underneath.
To remove dried paint, use solvent-based paint removers that contain large amounts of alcohol. Solvent-based paint removers penetrate the paint coating, dissolve the paint binder and particles, and liquefy the paint coating.
Can You Clean Dried Paint Finishes with a Degreaser?
You can clean dried paint finishes with a degreaser. The degreaser is designed to clean surfaces and remove dirt or dust, without removing the paint underneath.
The degreaser is made of soap ash and doesn’t contain additives that remove paint. You can use a degreaser to clean a surface before applying paint or clean a paint coating before applying the next coat over it.
