Removing polyurethane varnish.....HELP!

[1098smm]

I want to remove polyurethane varnish from some solid oak kitchen unit doors, prior to giving them a limed oak finish.
I've tried one of the new water-based solvent-free paint and varnish strippers which have replaced the now banned dichloromethane ones, but after following the instructions and using 3 applications, hardly any of the varnish has been removed, leaving a blotchy "no going back" result.

Extensive googling has revealed that these types of kitchen unit varnishes are difficult to remove.

Does anyone know the best and most reliable way to do it?

Here's hoping......

 

[JohnD]

sander.

 

[1098smm]

Hmm....I'd thought of that. But there are a lot of intricate mouldings which would be impossible to get into with a sander.

Thanks anyway for the suggestion.

 

[JohnD]

sandpaper and fingers

 

[OwainDIYer]

dichloromethane strippers are still available, but only for professional use
http://www.restexpress.co.uk/acatalog/Paramose_Professional_Paint_and_Varnish_Remover.html

http://www.jpennyltd.co.uk/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=382

 

[1098smm]

So I'm assuming I can't just order some online?

Maybe someone I know might have some languishing in their shed from a few years ago.

 

[joe-90]

Enter dichloromethane in ebay.

 

[matz]

To OP ... How long did you leave stripper on for? Did you brush it really thick? This Eco stuff gets bad press but you an get decent results with it. I stripped some chairs last wit it last week .... Brush on thick, leave for one hour and pressure wash off and had a good clean result. Advantage of Eco strippers against mc strippers is they stay wet for days as opposed to the others whic dry out in 10 mins. Mc strippers though dangerous to use are th most effective though