For What It's Worth

Stripping paint is a nasty job at best. A new product called Peel-Away 7 does the job without any of the potential toxic side effects. Instead of methylene chloride or methanol, this product relies on a non-evaporating chemical called N-methyl-2-pyrolidine, or NMP. Just brush it on and leave it overnight; it will eat through multiple layers of paint without evaporating or releasing toxic fumes. The manufacturer says that, unlike traditional strippers, Peel-Away 7 will remove almost any type of coating, from lead, alkyd, and latex paint to polyurethane and elastomerics. And though the stuff costs more than traditional strippers — a gallon sells for $40 to $50 and will do about 50 square feet — labor savings may reduce overall