You can also remove paint with heat, which destroys the film in the old paint. This makes it easy to scrape the old paint away. Special electric paint removers or heat guns use heat for paint or varnish removal.
 

Scrape away the paint immediately after it is heated. Use a broad paint scraper for removing the heated paint right behind the electric softener.
 

Remember that you should never allow the heat gun to stay in one spot long enough to burn the wood. Keep moving often to avoid browned or darkened spots on the surface from excessive heat.