Reddit reviews Allway Tools Soft Grip Contour Scraper Set with 6 Blades

I've refinished more than a few 100 year old doors. If you want bare wood and stain it'll take time and care, if you're going to repaint it'll take sightly less time and care. Depending on condition just a simple paint scraper can do the trick nicely. If there's a lot of detail you'll want a contour scraper like this

https://www.amazon.com/Allway-Tools-Contour-Scraper-Blades/dp/B000BQMZ9C/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?keywords=paint+scrapers+for+wood&qid=1566143184&s=gateway&sprefix=paint+scraper&sr=8-14

If it doesn't scrape easily my next move is a heat gun and a putty knife. You'll still want the contour scraper if there's a lot of detail.
I've also used one of the electric paint strippers called "the silent paint remover". IMO it covers more ground at once but you can accomplish the same thing with a simple heat gun. Depends what you want to spend I guess.


I've had good luck with these methods on many doors and I've never had to resort to chemicals, at least on doors and windows I've done. As another poster said, chemicals will just get everywhere if you're not using sawbucks.