A method for removing a water-insoluble coating from a substrate to which the coating is normally adherent comprises: <i>(a) depositing on the substrate a barrier coating of a water-soluble material; <i>(b) effecting the accumulation on the barrier coating of the water-soluble coating; <i>(c) effecting the removal of the water-soluble coating by subjecting the coated substrate to the action of an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble barrier coating material which solution, upon subsequent drying, redeposits the water-soluble barrier coating on the substrate, the temperature of the solution being about 170-205° F. and the period of time of subjecting the substrate to the action being a time sufficient for the temperature of the substrate to approach that of the solution; and <i>(d) drying the substrate to effect the redeposition. -- AATA