Painting - Stripping paint from interior wood windows

I have just moved into a charming 1935 cottage. The architectual details of the wood on the interior side of the windows (12 lite) has been lost under 70 years of thick paint jobs. I have begun to strip a test window using a chemical stripper, but it has alread taken 3 applications and hours of scraping and I'm barely done with half of it. I have 10 total windows to do. Is there a faster/better way?

I heard about a chemical stripper that could be applied, covered with cheesecloth and then plastic to prevent evaporation, and left overnight. In the morning, the paint supposedly comes off in a sheet stuck to the cheesecloth. Does anyone know what this product is or if it really works?

Thanks for your help
Jessica

Is there a faster/better way?
No, unfortunately not.
Does anyone know what this product is or if it really works?
I think I remember seeing something about this somewhere, but can't find it now. Do a search on Google for 'paint stripper' and you come up with alot of different products.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Jessica,

My wife and I recently sold a 1929 craftsman style bungalow that we completely refurbished over approx 4 years. One of the major projects was stripping and painting (in addition to new chains and occasionally some new glass :rolleyes: ). We found that a heat gun and putty knife made removing the paint very easy. It was not quick, but not difficult to do. Also, the paint that is scraped off cools veyr quicly and hardens so it makes cleaing up easy (broom or shop vac). One word of CAUTION: like ours, your home may contain lead based paint, so work with windows open and maybe a fan to ventilate the area well. May consider a respirator if you are very concerned about it.

Good luck with your project and feel free to email if you would like more details.

Cliff

i have always preferred the "dad's" brand for paint and varnish remover... I hate to say it, but if it says "environmentally friendly" on it, it will probably take forever to work.

The product you want is peel-away. There are several formulations, depending on the application, so make sure you get the right one. It is supposed to work very well. With so many layers, it may take a couple of applications.