Nanostructured fluids for polymeric coatings removal: Surfactants affect the polymer glass transition temperature

•Nanostructured fluids are used to remove polymer coatings in art conservation.•Polymer films are either dewetted or swollen depending on their composition.•Surfactants have an important role in swelling polymer films.•Polymer swelling depends on the polymer glass temperature change induced by surfactants interaction with polymer films.•Nonionic are more efficient than zwitterionic/ionic surfactants in lowering the Tg.