On Feb 28, 8:35�pm, mm wrote:
On Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:25:37 -0500, "John Grabowski"

wrote:

The best stripper that I ever used was called Peel Away and in one
application it removed decades of paint layers down to the bare wood. �It is
non-toxic and prevents the release of lead into the air. �A painter
recommended it to me several years ago. �The stuff is a paste and is covered
with a plastic sheet that is included and you just let it sit overnight and
peel away the paint layers the next day. �With many layers some scraping may
be required. �There was some areas that needed to be cleaned off with water
and a scouring pad, but it did a fabulous job for me. Much better than any
petroleum based product that I have used in the past.

I suppose for the parts that need a scouring pad, the OP could try a
heat gun. �Then he would know firsthand how well it worked, and be
grateful he hadn't tried to do the whole project with it.

harbor freight has cheap heat guns, i use one of theirs infrequently
at work. at least good enough quality for testing