A method of removing layers of heat cured paint buildup on supporting hangers is disclosed. The method includes coating support hangers with a layer of a thermally expandable material in a water soluble carrier and thereafter applying a water insoluble coating layer. The thermally expandable material, the carrier and the water insoluble coating are all selected so as to be relatively unaffected by the curing temperatures of the paint line where the hangers are to be used. When an undesirably thick coating of cured paint has built-up on the hangers, it is removed by heating to a temperature sufficient to expand the thermally expandable material thereby cracking the paint layers. Thereafter, the hangers are soaked in a hot aqueous solution to dissolve the carrier layer and remove the cracked, cured paint layers.