What other good solvent exists for turpentine paints than turpentine?

Question

I'm trying to strip an old hardwood chair, and the paint apparently used has turpentine solvent base. I hesitate to use paint stripper on this piece, and am about ready to give up and just have a go with it using a sander (which I also hesitate to do as I might damage armrest and leg carving).

Answer 1

They make a special paint stripper to take paint off with.  I have seen it at Home Depot.

Answer 2

Try wood alcohol, (methanol), or naphtha.

Do be cautious - flammable vapors.

BTW, I have used commercial strippers on hardwood items

with good results. You will have to re-stain though.

Answer 3

I'm not sure why you are hesitating to use paint stripper.  It's the right way to go.  Avoid the sander.

Answer 4

Just use a stripper.  It's much more effective and less risky to doing damage that sanding.

BTW, turpentine is a thinner, not a solvent.  Once an oil-based paint has cured, the thinner won't dissolve it.   Just like once concrete has cured, it won't dissolve when it gets rained on.