Paint stripper

A paint-stripper composition is described which comprises (A) at least one organic solvent selected from the group consisting of benzyl alcohol, alkyl-substituted benzyl alcohols, furfuryl alcohol, alkyl-substituted furfuryl alcohols and acetylenic alcohols containing from 3 to about 5 carbon atoms; (B) pyrrole as a co-solvent; and (C) at least one other organic amine compound as an activator. A method of stripping paint from a surface also is described, and the method comprises (A) contacting the paint with a paint-stripper composition which is free of organic phosphites and phosphines and comprises (A-1) at least one organic solvent selected from the group consisting of benzyl alcohol alkyl-substituted benzyl alcohols, furfuryl alcohol, alkyl-substituted furfuryl alcohols and acetylenic alcohols containing from 3 to about 5 carbon atoms; and (A-2) at least 0.7% by weight of at least one organic amine compound as an activator for a period of time sufficient to reduce the adhesion of the paint to the surface; and (B) removing said paint and paint-stripper composition from said surface.