Actichem Solv Strip 5 ltr

Product Overview

Solv Strip is a solvent-based floor coating stripper designed to tackle tough solvent sealers and polish build-ups on resilient flooring such as terracotta, terrazzo and concrete. It works quickly and effectively, saving time and labour.

It is also the lowest-hazard stripper we stock, and that is a genuine reason to try it first. Where Power Strip and Instastrip are corrosive Class 8 dangerous goods carrying the signal word DANGER, Solv Strip is WARNING, is not classified as dangerous goods, and carries no poisons schedule. If Solv Strip will lift the coating, it is the easier product to store, freight and use.

Benefits

• Power-packed — serious stripping action on solvent-based coatings, burnish build-ups and semi-permanent sealers.
• Fast action — begins to liquefy coating immediately on contact with the surface.
• Labour saving — minimal scrubbing is required, so time and labour are minimised.
• Free rinsing — exceptionally easy to rinse slurry and residues.
• Lower hazard than the caustic strippers — not corrosive, not dangerous goods, no poisons schedule.

Recommended Applications

Solv Strip is suitable on most resilient floors and quickly softens and emulsifies old, worn and discoloured finishes for easy removal. It is ideal for removing solvent sealers, base sealers and polish build-ups from natural stone, concrete and terrazzo.

*** Do not use on wood, vinyl, linoleum or plastic flooring. *** This is a solvent product and it will attack those substrates. If you are stripping vinyl or linoleum, use Instastrip instead.

How to Use

1. Read and understand the SDS before use.
2. Always pre-test in an inconspicuous location.
3. Solv Strip is supplied ready to use — no dilution.

Directions

1. Sweep the area thoroughly to remove any soiling that could damage the floor if caught under scrubbing equipment.
2. Apply liberally to the floor area with a cotton mop, ensuring the area is thoroughly wet. Always work in small, controllable areas.
3. Allow at least 5 minutes dwell time, then agitate with a low-speed rotary scrubber or auto-scrubber fitted with a black, brown or high-productivity pad.
4. Be careful that the area does not dry out on the surface.
5. After scrubbing, pick up the slurry and rinse thoroughly with clean water so that all stripper and sealer residues are removed.
6. Allow the floor to dry before proceeding with the restoration process, and re-strip any areas still carrying polish build-up or missed in the first pass.

Safety

🔴 Please read this section, because we have corrected this page in the opposite direction to most of our chemical range.

Our page previously recorded "Safety profile: Class 3 Flammable". The current Safety Data Sheet does not support that. Version 2.4, issued 1 August 2025, states:

• Classification: “HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL. NON-DANGEROUS GOODS.”
• Signal word: WARNING
• H319 — causes serious eye irritation
• H335 — may cause respiratory irritation
• GHS: Eye Irritation Category 2A; STOT Single Exposure (Respiratory) Category 3
• Flash point: not applicable. Flammability: not applicable.
• Transport: NOT REGULATED FOR TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS — there is no Class 3 classification
• HAZCHEM code: not applicable. Poisons schedule: not applicable.
• pH: not applicable — this is a non-aqueous solvent blend
• Actives: a proprietary solvent at 30 to 60%; ethylene glycol monobutyl ether 10 to less than 30%; a second proprietary solvent 10 to less than 30%; a proprietary surfactant below 10%

We publish the SDS position. If your workplace, transport provider or storage licence has been treating Solv Strip as a Class 3 flammable liquid on the strength of our old page, it is worth re-checking against the current sheet.

But it is still combustible — do not read this as inert

“Not a flammable liquid for transport purposes” is not the same as “will not burn”. The SDS describes the product as combustible, with a slight fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame, and directs you to avoid smoking, naked lights and ignition sources.

In practice, on a strip job: no hot work in the area, no smoking, and be careful with solvent-loaded rags and pads. Ventilate — H335 applies, and a 30 to 60% solvent product spread wet across a large floor area in an enclosed building produces real vapour exposure.

Personal protective equipment

The SDS specifies PVC chemical protective gloves, safety glasses with side shields or chemical goggles, overalls and a PVC apron. Ventilate the work area, and use warning signage — a wet stripper floor is slippery whatever its classification.

First aid

Eyes. Wash out immediately with fresh running water and seek medical attention without delay.

Skin. Flush with running water and soap if available. Seek medical attention if irritation develops.

Inhalation. Move to fresh air and rest. Seek medical attention if breathing is difficult.

Mixing and Compatibility

The SDS names oxidising agents, strong acids, strong caustics, nitrates and chlorine bleaches as incompatible. Never mix, and never allow contact in a bucket, auto-scrubber tank, drain or on the floor, with:

• Actichem Chlorosan, Mould Exterminator, pool chlorine or any hypochlorite
• Actichem Perox, Oxyboost Plus or any other oxidiser — an oxidiser plus a combustible solvent is the combination to avoid above all others
• Actichem Grout Restore 60, Grout Restore 20, Tile & Grout Restore or any acid
• Actichem Tile & Grout Power, Instastrip or any strong caustic

Specifications

Choosing Between the Strippers

• Solv Strip — solvent-based, WARNING, not dangerous goods. For solvent sealers and polish build-up on stone, concrete and terrazzo. Try this first.
• Actichem Power Strip — solvent and amine. DANGER, H314, benzyl alcohol 30–60%, dangerous goods. Same substrates, more aggressive, materially higher hazard.
• Actichem Instastrip — caustic. DANGER, H314, pH 13–14, UN1760 Class 8. The one to use on vinyl, linoleum and resilient floors, which Solv Strip and Power Strip will damage.
• Actichem Tile & Grout Cleaner LF — the low-foam machine cleaner for the maintenance clean after stripping.

The short version: vinyl and resilient → Instastrip. Stone, concrete and terrazzo → Solv Strip first, Power Strip if it will not lift. Sealed timber → none of them.

Safety Data Sheet

Actichem Solv Strip Safety Data Sheet — version 2.4, issued 1 August 2025

SKU: AP406.05

Not sure whether the coating will lift with Solv Strip or needs the caustic? Send us a photo before you order. Starting with the lower-hazard product is usually the right call, and if it works you save yourself the dangerous goods handling entirely.