what is the best/easiest way to get paint off wood?

The molding in the rooms ( along the floor and around the windows and doors) in my house have layers of paint that I want to remove then would like to sand, smooth and stain the wood- no clue of the easiest ( clean and quick) way to do this.

Is this a handyman job?
Is there a professional "restorer"-

Any information, advice and recommendations would be helpful

TIA

Re: what is the best/easiest way to get paint off wood?

You can go to Home Depot and get paint stripper. It takes a lot of time... A LOT and you will want to use a mask. Honestly, if it's not historic, very decorative mouldings it would be cheaper to take them down and install real oak and stain it (I'm assuming you want oak if you want to stain it).

Most mouldings today are pre-primed pine or poplar. Even after stripping you will not get the same look if you are going for an oak look (busier than pine). Oak moulding can be ver $$$$$$$. It's a lot more money than the regular moulding you find at Home Depot. Most moulding now is a composite of pieces of wood while oak must be one continuous cut from the same tree hence $$$$$.

ETA: My father was a master carpenter. He did the above when he wanted to have the stained look on all of the mouldings in his house. He ripped down the old and put up red oak. You will also need to poly seal the oak with two coats at least.

Message edited 4/8/2006 2:07:39 PM.