Our History

Lift Off® began in 1990 when chemist and inventor Gregg A. Motsenbocker had a vision to create environmentally friendly paint and stain removers that actually work.

Breaks the Molecular Bond®

Gregg's unique approach was to focus on the stain, rather than the surface. His personal experience was that all purpose and surface-specific cleaners were too weak. His studies revealed that different stains form different molecular bonds, regardless of surface, so he set his sights on breaking the bond of each type of stain.

As he got to work, he found three distinct categories of stains: grease oil and adhesive stains; food drink and pet stains, and pen ink and marker stains. After developing unique formulas to remove each type of stain, he created a stain guide to help people use the right tool on the right stain. The result was, quite simply, stain removal made easy!®

Patented Enviro Science™

With a passion for chemistry and the environment, Motsenbocker became an early pioneer in developing environmentally safe products. His patented Enviro Science™ formulations are water-based, biodegradable, and contain low or no VOCs, which make them safe for the environment, the user, and the surface to which they are applied.

In 1995 Motsenbocker received the first of many patents for his unique Enviro Science™ formulations, which earned the "truly" biodegradable certification from Scientific Certification Systems, Inc. All Motsenbocker's Lift Off® products meet or exceed the stringent requirements of the California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.) and the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In 1995 Gregg Motsenbocker was honored as one of the top five outstanding innovators by the Commerce Department's Patent and Trademark Office, where he owns more than 20 different patents.

Stain Removal Made Easy®

Gregg knew that Motsenbocker's Lift Off® products would need to work as well, if not better, than their caustic counterparts so he had them independently tested. His patented Enviro Science™ formulations earned an "A" rating for efficacy by Consumer Testing Laboratories, Inc. He personally tested his products so often that his family grew accustomed to being the subjects of his demonstrations, especially his granddaughter, who frequently had gum removed from her hair.

As word spread, Motsenbocker's Lift Off® products became available at local DIY stores, regional hardware chains, and big box retail locations. Not only consumers, but also cleaning professionals, large corporations, and universities came to rely on the performance of Motsenbocker's Lift Off® products.

Paint Removal Made Easy®

With the success of his stain removers came requests for products to remove other materials such as paint, varnish, and caulk. After receiving a patent for a low VOC Spray Paint and Graffiti Remover, he founded the National Coalition for Graffiti Removal, a non-profit organization designed to eliminate graffiti. The coalition has helped cities, communities, and national parks to remove graffiti from the historic sites such as the petroglyphs of the Mojave Narrows, Bonsai Beach of Lake Tahoe, and Giant Rock national monument in Landers, California. Motsenbocker also provided materials and expertise to remove graffiti from the city of Atlanta in preparation of the Summer Olympic Games.

In the next decade, additional patents were received for an environmentally friendly Silicone Caulk Remover and Paint and Varnish Remover. Many found it hard to believe that a water-based substitute for methylene chloride paint strippers would work, but the results spoke for themselves.

We are only limited by our imagination

In the early 2000s contractors, crafters, hobbyists, and discerning do-it-yourselfers requested more innovative products such as Non-TSP Paint Prep and hand cleaner. In addition, janitorial distributors, amusement parks, and transit authorities also came to trust Motsenbocker's Lift Off® products.

Today Motsenbocker demonstrates his products at industry trade shows as part of Stoner, Inc., a third-generation, family-owned manufacturer of trusted brands such as Invisible Glass and Stoner Car Care. Since September 2015, Motsenbocker's Lift Off® has been a perfect fit with Stoner, which owned and operated Stoner Decorating Centers, distributing supplies to paint and wall paper contractors for over 30 years.

Motsenbocker continues to actively develop new formulations and invent new products. He is a longstanding member of the American Chemical Society and a respected consultant to companies such as Loctite, American Can, Brinkman, Sherwin Williams, and Ecolab.

Gregg Motsenbocker lives every day by his motto, "We are only limited by our imagination."