I thought MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) had been banned as being a cancer causer?
I know many strippers of the past contained methylene Chloride. Not much chance that stuff is still in strippers.
That is an incorrect assumption. And it is why Ted and I recommended such strippers for these tough as nails finishes. It is both effective and available. Stock up while you still can buy it.
https://cen.acs.org/safety/consumer-safety/Replacing-methylene-chloride-paint-strippers/96/i24 A ban was proposed by EPA in 2017, but it has not been implemented nationwide. Methylene chloride has also been widely used as a solvent and propellant in many spray paints. It was even used in many hair sprays and antiperspirants.
I never suggested it was the safest thing to use, but it is very effective. And it doesn't take a lot of effort to keep it out of your eyes, lungs, and skin. It will even get the old finish out of checkering. A lot of good products end up getting banned because people use them carelessly and incorrectly. About 20 years ago, when I was repairing high speed litho presses, I saw printers using a blend of MEK, acetone, and toluene to wash inks and basecoats off their skin virtually everyday. I warned them about it and told them the storeroom had rubber gloves to avoid exposure and potential cancers and liver damage, but most of them ignored my advice. I wonder how many of them won't get the chance to enjoy spending their 401-K and pensions.
