Methods for removal of polymeric coating layers from coated substrates

A method for the at least partial removal of one or more polymeric coating layers from a coated substrate having at least one coated surface, wherein the at least one coated surface of the substrate is coated with a multi-layer composite coating comprising two or more polymeric layers, the method comprising:

• generating at least one reactive species in a continuous ionized gas stream at or near room temperature and discharged at atmospheric pressure;
• and
• placing the coated surface in the ionized gas stream,
• wherein the at least one reactive species reacts with at least one of the polymeric coating layers such that the at least one polymeric coating layer is at least partially removed from the coated surface of the substrate at atmospheric pressure.