You'll need to use quite a lot of water to completely dissolve it, and there's a good chance you'll still have residue remaining that could interfere with your new finish. So do NOT use water to clean Citristrip. Use a solvent like rubbing alcohol instead.
3rd, the best/easiest thing to remove leftover citristrip is water. However, because citristrip is so sticky and full of dyes/colorants, you need a lot of water. That tackiness you're feeling is almost certainly stripper that's still in there. Like, running under the garden hose amounts of water.
Don't forget after stripping. To wash the entire piece down with mineral spirits. That removes any residual stripper that remains on the surface which can cause issues with the finish you decide to apply. Then let the piece dry for a good 5 days.
Citrus Strip is a concentrated, water soluble, citrus based stripper, detergent/degreaser formulated using natural citrus products in conjunction with powerful organic, biodegradable solvents specially blended to outperform most conventional petroleum based solvents, plus have the advantage of the ability to be diluted ...
It's water soluble, but you need a lot lot lot of water. Like, running under the garden hose while scrubbing with a brush. The internet seems to think mineral spirits is what you want to remove Citristrip, but that's not correct. Just water, and lots of it.
The acidic properties of vinegar will counteract the caustic elements found within most paint removers. In the event that the stripper contains solvents, it is better to use a rag soaked in mineral spirits to remove any remaining residue.
We tried using different things to remove the gunk after leaving it on for a few hours it and landed on a power washer. It works great!!
Acute Health Effects
Skin: This product is a skin irritant. May cause irritation, redness, inflammation, cracking, blisters, defatting, and severe burns.
You want it to really seal well. I leave it wrapped up overnight, but it's best that you can get back to it within 24 hours!
Citristrip is typically suitable for indoor use with proper ventilation. Always open windows and use fans to circulate air, even with safer products.
P271: Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. P280: Wear {protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection}.
Will Acetone Remove Citristrip? Yes, acetone works really well for removing Citristrip, but be careful—it's pretty strong and can damage some surfaces. Test it on a small area first, especially if you're working with more delicate materials like wood or plastic.
After 30 minutes (up to 24 hours), scrape a small test area to see if the finish is ready for removal.
If you are removing paint indoors using a paint stripper, we wouldn't recommend leaving it overnight, however, if you are outdoors, then it can be beneficial to leave the paint stripper overnight for maximum impact.
Adhesion Removal. There are times when old or weathered decals, applied to a surface using permanent adhesive, need to be removed. Here are just a few tips to help in this removal process. If you're looking for a chemical that is a powerful industrial-strength remover, consider using Citristrip® Gel.
Mineral Turpentine or Methylated Spirits can be used to clean the surface of any remaining residue. Simply wet a rag or cotton cloth in the turpentine or spirits and wipe the surface clean, using a clean rag or towel to dry it.
Remove stripper from surface with plastic scraper or brush. Use a clean abrasive pad dipped in After Wash or Odorless Mineral Spirits to loosen remaining finish and remove any residue. Surface should be completely clean and dry before refinishing.
On projects where a water-based product will be used, we recommend cleaning with Acetone which evaporates quickly and removes any residue. After using Acetone, wash with the 50:50 mix of denatured alcohol and water.
Mineral spirit and lacquer thinner will remove the stripper. But I use acetone be because I hate waiting for other solvents to dry. Clean with scotch pads. I use a rag with mineral spirits followed by wiping with a clean dry rag.
Of the countless chemical paint strippers on the market today CitriStrip is one of my favorites for a few reasons: It's bio-degradable. No neutralizing needed. No-harsh fumes (pleasant citrus odor)
I left the stripper on the wood overnight outside in temperatures that reached 40F. Instructions say for best results use between 65-85F away from strong breeze and direct sunlight.
Surfaces to avoid with Dawn® Powerwash:
Marble countertops, sink basins, and backsplashes. Wood, including unsealed, varnished, stained, or painted wood surfaces & furniture. Safe on wood cutting boards if rinsed. Glass with UV coatings or other specialty treatments.
This method is perfect for tumblers, Yetis, or cups that have a powder coating. So give it a try and let me know in the comments how CITRISTRIP TO ETCH A CUP worked for you!
The directions on the can say that you can wait 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.