awomanwithahammer wrote: Unfortunately, they're all covered with paint so I want to strip them. I've tried boiling them, using brush cleaner, and paint stripper, with limited success and whole lot of angst (especially the chains!).
Do either of you have a good method for stripping all of the above?
Maybe it didn't come off as it is not oil paint? Most that I've done, the 'mess' is actually usually newer and so is latex....Denatured alcohol will remove latex paint in about 30 seconds. I take a yogurt container (used), put some in it, and place the window locks in there for a minute or 2. Then remove, wipe the paint off. Touch of oil when dry.
I wear gloves when handling so I don't get the denatured on my skin, and gently grab the parts with pliers to get them out. This may remove patina, tho!!
Denatured isn't 'highly toxic' or anything, but is flammable, so do it outside and no ignition sources...much nicer than lacquer thinner etc. (the method for oil paints)