This article was originally published in WrapFam Unleashed, September 2025. We're sharing it here for our community at Brothers Chemical because the message is too important to miss.  Read the full issue here on Flipsnack →

The Wrap Removal Industry has a Chemical Problem

A Response to "Surviving Solvents" 

By: Zach Connell, Co-Founder, Brothers Chemical 

Back Then, We Didn’t Know Better

My first job was pumping xylene into 8-ounce cans in the back of my grandfather’s chemical warehouse. I was twelve. Maybe child labor laws were looser then, or maybe he just ignored them. The pay was fair, and he’d buy my lunch, so I didn’t complain. Wouldn’t have done me any good if I had.

His company, Jomaps Inc., has long since closed. It was squeezed out by tightening EPA regulations and private equity rollups that reshaped the industry. When he started in 1974, few people worried about solvent exposure, PPE, or long-term health risks. OSHA had just come on the scene. People used what worked, and they didn’t always know the dangers.

To be fair, my family didn’t either.

Now, Ignorance Isn’t an Option

Today, that excuse is gone. The internet, and now AI, have ended the information drought. Product safety isn’t a niche concern. It’s an expectation.

Decades after my grandfather’s business closed, I found myself drawn back to the chemical business, this time as an entrepreneur. My best friend, now business partner, and I wanted to do things differently. Instead of recycling generic formulas, we focused on real-world needs, then designed formulations to meet them.

While researching wrap removal solutions, we found Vinyl-Off, a Vinyl Graphic and Decal Remover with a small but loyal following. During our discovery, one contractor told me, “If they ever stop making Vinyl-Off, I’ll shut my business down.” I was intrigued. It wasn’t flammable, it was low odor, and safe for indoor use. It had national distribution through Fellers, but most in the wrap industry had never heard of it. If they had, they didn’t know how to use it.

Through mutual contacts, we reached an agreement to purchase the rights to Vinyl-Off from a small company called Crystaltek. We kept the name, rebranded under Brothers Chemical, and started developing products specifically for wrap removals and fleet restoration.

The Dirty Truth About Vinyl Removals

Wrap shops often reach for strong solvents because they have no other choice. In-warranty removals are easy. But that’s rarely the case. Wraps are left on too long, sometimes from budget constraints, sometimes from neglect, and the job becomes a nightmare.

The adhesive crosslinks, the film turns brittle, and wraps that should peel cleanly now shred, stain clearcoat, or lift paint. It’s why many installers avoid removals altogether.

When the job gets like that, gentle solutions usually fall short. Chemical solutions may not be ideal, but they begin to feel like the only option. The chemicals you choose and the way you use them are critical. 

OSHA and Safety Data Sheets: Know What You’re Getting Into

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has the full power of the federal government behind it. They make the rules, and whether you agree with them or not, their regulations carry real weight. While random inspections do happen, they usually originate from an employee complaint, accident, or hospitalization.

OSHA’s “Top 10 Violations in Printing for 2024” listed Lack of Chemical Hazard Communication as the #1 violation in Printing. Other chemical-related violations included failure to maintain a Respiratory Protection Program (#3) and lack of Personal Protective Equipment (#5). OSHA can issue fines up to $16,131 per violation, per day.

“Off-Label Use” (using a chemical in a way it isn’t recommended) is another common but risky behavior. Big-box retailers do not intend highly flammable xylene to be sprayed out of a backpack sprayer onto a work van while propane torches roar in the background. They intend it to be used to thin paint and clean tools. Using it this way violates the guidelines of the Safety Data Sheet, removing the liability from the product manufacturer and placing it on the user.

In my experience, most professionals never read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The SDS outlines critical safety information that business owners and installers need to know. Most accidents with chemicals are due to misuse, improper storage, lack of ventilation, or improper PPE – all of which are covered in detail in the SDS. Know it, use it, make it a part of your safety culture. 

Designing a Better Option

While Vinyl-Off speeds the removal of the film, there’s always some adhesive residue left to contend with. We needed to develop an adhesive remover designed specifically for pressure-sensitive glue—one that could be tough on residue but safe for daily use around paint, plastic, and most importantly, people. We were alarmed at the number of people soaking cars with denatured alcohol, MEK, kerosene, acetone, and methylene chloride without understanding the risk to their health and business.  

We tested water-based adhesive remover formulas for nearly a year, sending hundreds of samples to removal contractors for testing. They were very safe, clean, and promising on paper, but they couldn’t handle the thick, baked-on glue we saw in real-world jobs.

So we shifted focus and built a formula designed around real installer needs: high flash point, lower toxicity, slower evaporation, and tough on glue.  It’s not the cheapest way, but it’s safer and it works. We created the remover we wished already existed — tough enough to stand up to baked-on adhesives, but without the flammability, volatility, and health effects of solvents like xylene. It’s the safer option that doesn’t force shops to compromise on performance.

Tips That Save More Than Time

Even the best formula needs smart handling. Whether you’re using Adhesive Off Pro or anything else, here are safety reminders worth building into your habits:

• Stay Compliant. OSHA citations often start with missing SDS sheets, unlabeled bottles, or lack of PPE training. Know the rules and avoid expensive mistakes.  
• Glove up. Wear pants and long sleeves. Your skin absorbs more than you think. Make gloves part of your muscle memory – even when it’s hot out.
• Protect your eyes. One splash from a sprayer or squeeze bottle can mean a trip to the ER or loss of eyesight.
• Read the SDS. It includes flash points, ventilation needs, and emergency protocols for a reason.
• Ventilate your space. Fans, open bays, and airflow reduce vapor exposure.
• Respect flammability. Many removers ignite easily. Our products have a high flash point, but most do not. Be careful with torches, especially.  
• Store smart. Never leave solvents in hot vans, trailers, or near heat. Pressure builds fast.

Back to Barrett’s Story

Reading about Barrett Langford’s close call was sobering, but not surprising. His experience is a reminder that PPE and ventilation aren’t optional, and experience doesn’t make you immune. Stories like this are why OSHA regulations exist. Everyone in this industry—from seasoned pros to new techs—deserves better training around removals and chemical handling. At the end of the day, we’re all just trying to do good work, provide for our families, and make it home safe.