Definition
A chemical compound used to remove existing paint, primer, or other surface coatings from aircraft structures so the surface can be inspected, repaired, or repainted. Aviation paint strippers are formulated to dissolve or lift coatings without damaging the underlying metal, and approved products must be selected to match the structure being stripped (for example, separate formulations for aluminum versus composite or fabric surfaces).
Plain English
A liquid or paste chemical that softens old paint so it can be scraped or washed off the aircraft.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance, especially during repainting, surface repair, corrosion inspection, or preparation for new finish.
Why Pilots Care
The wrong product can corrode aluminum or weaken composites, creating hidden structural damage that compromises safety.
Intuition Check
Do not assume household paint remover is safe for an aircraft. In aviation, paint stripper must match the aircraft material and the maintenance instructions.
Example Sentence 1
Before repainting the wing, the technician applied paint stripper to remove the old finish down to bare metal.
Example Sentence 2
Only use paint stripper listed in the aircraft maintenance manual to avoid damaging composite surfaces.