containing the paint coatings to be removed the ph of the solution can range from very acidic e g ph of 1 or 2 to very alkaline e g ph of 12 or 13 in certain instances it is preferred that the solution is utilized at a substantially neutral unbuffered ph and does not contain any metals that can be cathodically reduced in appreciable quantities thus the electrolyte of the present invention does not further contaminate the environment by the use of heavy metals and the like the electrolyte can comprise a material selected from na 2 so 4 k 2 so 4 na 3 po 4 k 3 po 4 and nacl preferably the electrolyte is comprised of a single salt while the electrolyte can be highly alkaline the preferred electrolyte is substantially neutral further preferably the electrolyte is a chloride free electrolyte the material can be present in the electrolytic solution in the range of 0 01 to 3 mols l and preferably in the range of 0 1 to 0 7 mols l with a typical amount being about 0 4 to 0 6 mols l to provide for the required levels of conductivity preferably the electrolytic solution has a substantially neutral.