| abstract |
A composition and method for stripping protective coatings from surfaces, particularly metal surfaces such as aluminum, without blemishing the metal surface comprises a silicate-containing, alkaline component and a product of chemical interaction in solution between silicate and acid other than silicic acid in an amount to inhibit attack of the substrate being cleaned or to which the coating was applied. Preferably the acid reacted with the silicate is gluconic, or most preferably, boric acid. |