I have a friend who wants to use a chemical dip to remove paint from
automobile parts, e.g. doors or hoods.

I am a chemist and suspect the dip is a fairly concentrated sodium
hydroxide solution. I can help him with handling chemicals but would
appreciate some words of wisdom on what is used commercially for this
purpose.

He has told me that they put the parts in a tank and let them soak
overnight or longer. That pretty much eliminates strong acids. I
suggested he go to the junkyard and get a trashed hood or fender and
cut up small squares and experiment with a strong base but if the
process is known on this group he would have a head start.

TIA