Paint Stripper

 is an upgrade in the Military Monkey Knowledge tree, added in Version 6.0. It allows Signal Flare and Shattering Shells to strip DDT camo, even if they cannot damage them. It requires eight military knowledge points invested, Extra Burny Stuff, and a one-time purchase of 250.

While Shattering Shells (and its preceding upgrade) was buffed in Version 27.0 to be able to decamo DDTs on its own, this MK is still required for decamoing DDTs. Version 28.0 fixed both upgrades from doing so without the Paint Stripper MK, but it now allows Shattering Shells to defortify DDTs too.

Summary
Paint Stripper allows the Signal Flare and above to strip DDT camo in all cases even if it cannot damage it. No matter what circumstances, even when given supports such as MIB and Striker Jones, Paint Stripper is the required method for the less expensive Mortar Monkey upgrades to decamo.

One secondary but not-so-reliable use of this is a possibly unintended defortification of DDTs with Shattering Shells. Less DDT health from the added fortifications makes them for an easier kill.

Tips

 * Use the 0-2-3 Signal Flare to make the most of this MK at decamoing DDTs. Much higher attack speed has much better consistency at the focused spot than bigger blasts.
 * Use the 0-2-4 Shattering Shells to defortify DDTs. As with 0-2-3 versus DDT camo, much higher attack speed has much better consistency at focused spots than bigger blasts.

Trivia

 * Paint strippers are chemicals that remove paint. They are often alkaline or made of solvents.
 * The likely unintended interaction in Version 28.0 that allows Shattering Shells to defortify DDTs with this MK may be caused by letting the main explosion defortify DDTs but the secondary "flare" explosion decamo DDTs.