COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR CLEANING AND STRIPPING

1 . A method for removing cured, partially cured, or uncured paints from painting equipment comprising:

applying a cleaning composition to a portion of the painting equipment having a metal surface and containing the cured, partially cured, or uncured paint to dissolve the paint wherein:

the cleaning composition comprises a primary solvent and a co-solvent, the co-solvent including N-ethylcaprolactam present in an amount from 5 wt. % to 49 wt. % of the total weight of the cleaning composition, and

the paint selected from alkyd paints, epoxy paints, acrylic paints, polyurethane paints, and combinations of the foregoing; and

removing the cleaning composition including the dissolved paint from the metal surface of the painting equipment.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the primary solvent is selected from alkyl lactates, esters, lactones, dioxolanes, glycols, glycol ethers, glycol ether acetates, ether esters, dialkyl carbonates, alkylene carbonates, alkoxyalcohols, and diabasic esters, ketones water, or any combination thereof.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the primary solvent is selected from butyl propionate, ethyl-3-ethoxypropionate, acetone, 1,3-dioxolane, propylene carbonate, cyclohexanone, water, or combinations of the foregoing.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the primary solvent comprises toluene.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning composition further comprises a surfactant.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the surfactant is selected from ethoxylated glyceryl fatty acid esters; sorbitan esters; ethoxylated sorbitan esters; glycerol mono/dioleate; PEG alkoxylated block polymers; alkoxylated alcohols; alkoxylated alkylphenols; alkoxylated amines; alkoxylated amides; alkoxylated fatty esters; alkoxylated oils; fatty esters; alkoxylated fatty acids; sorbitan derivatives; alkylaryl sulfonates; alkylaryl sulfonic acids; carboxylated alcohol ethoxylates; alkylphenol ethoxylates; carboxylic acids; diphenyl sulfonate derivatives; olefin sulfonates; phosphate esters; phosphorous organic derivatives; anionic surfactants; and quaternary surfactants, or combinations of the foregoing.

7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the surfactant is present in an amount from 0.1 wt. % to 2.0 wt. % based upon the total weight of the cleaning composition.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning composition further including a thickening agent.

9 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the thickening agent is selected from organoclays; fatty acid salts; fumed silica; paraffinic waxes; alkylated cellulose derivatives; esterified cellulose derivatives; or oxyalkylated cellulose derivatives or combinations thereof.

10 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the thickening agent is present in an amount from 0.1 wt. % to 2.0 wt. % based upon the total weight of the cleaning composition.

11 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the painting equipment comprises a paint spray gun.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the paint spray gun is a high-volume low-pressure (HVLP) spray gun.

13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising maintaining the cleaning composition in contact within the paint spray gun for 30 minutes or more at room temperature.