Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
Now that the temp. has dropped below 70 again, I've been trying to strip
paint off the outside of a steel entry door again, but after half an
hour, except for the odd small patches where paint is coming off when I
scrape it, all that's coming off is a clear film (presumably the dried
stripper) leaving the paint underneath virtually unscathed.

The previous owners left none of this paint behind (they left others),
so I have no idea what it is. Supposing it is an epoxy? Would that
behave the way I'm seeing, and would that indicate that some
extra-strength stripper is needed?

I would try removing the door for the stripping and put it on horses.
It is quite easier to strip a horizonat surface than a vertical one.

When you buy stripper, look for a high concentration of methylene
chloride. It should be one of the first ingredients on the list.

When applying the stuff, don't brush it on but sorth of dab it on with
the brush. Avoid brushing it aroound. Just glop it on generously in
one small area at at a time. This used more product and thats the
idea, to maximize the quantitiy of product per given area thus
maximizing effectiveness.

Rather than try to remove the gunk immediatly, wait carefully, testing
the first area you treated. Use a sharp scraper to just check the
corner until you see the paint bubbling or coming up.

If the stripper starts to dry out before it becomes effective, just dab
some more on there and wait longer. Brush it around as little as
possible if at all . Dabbing rather than brushing allows you to get
more strippper on a given area. Do not try to remove the strippper or
paint until a small test area gives way. Be patient until it is
obvious that the undesireable paint has been affected by the stripper.
then and only then you may proceed but only with areas that are
obviously affected by the stripper. Clean up with mineral spirits.

Lawrence