Ingredients in Adhesive Remover

Adhesive removers have been around for decades. They are produced by many manufacturers to help remove of paint, glue and other adhesive residue. There are three main types of adhesive removers: citrus-based removers, soy-based removers, and solvent-based removers. The ingredients for each type vary.

Citrus-Based removers are among the more environmentally friendly and non-toxic removers. They consist of a combination of about 80 percent citrus extract from various citrus fruits and about 20 percent propane. The citrus extract typically contains chloride, fluoride, sulfur and halogen. It is a widely-used cleaner for small projects and is available in liquid sprays and pastes.

Soy-based removers use 60 percent soy bean oil and 40 percent water to penetrate and soften old adhesive. Users apply a layer of remover to the adhesive, let it sit, and then scrape off the adhesive after it has softened sufficiently.

Solvent-based removers are the toughest type of adhesive removers. They are typically capable of penetrating deep surfaces and dissolving the toughest, most-established glues. They are 30 to 60 percent Xylene, 30 to 60 percent VM and P Naphtha, 7 to 13 percent Ethylbenzene, with the remaining parts consisting of toluene and benzene.