Easy way to remove paint from hinges and hardware

[KSR]

We have a lot of the copper/black japanned hardware in our house. I did a quick search and turned up a few hits. I found this one which explains a bit more about such finishes:
http://www.finishing.com/261/07.shtml

[rncx]

Would this process work for what appear to be laquered wood (very marled/burled) which has been painted over (in a lovely shade of cobalt blue - )

I'm interested in using a non-toxic method to remove the paint.

i would avoid water for laminated wood. if it cuts paint, it'll usually cut glue,and if the glue comes loose the veneer will be ruined.

heat alone from a heat gun or a very mild paint stripper (like soy gel or citristrip) applied and removed quickly (20-30 minute sessions) would probably be your best bet with such a thing. even then there are no guarantees, you'll have to be very careful, but you'll have better luck by keeping it as dry as possible.

[Tujo]

I tried this on one of my door knobs - stripped the paint great - also stripped the bronze off! Turns out they are cast iron that was, what do you call it, bronze washed? Anyways, I'll have to paint them all with bronze paint, luckily I have some left over from my clawfoot tub feet.

[BrooklynRowHouse]

A tip I learned here, or on Houseblogs, worked great for me. Soak the hardware overnight in a mild solution of TSP (trisodium phosphate -- the stuff you use to clean walls before painting). The next morning, a soft bristle brush under lukewarm tap water should be all you need.

I can't believe I ruined the finish on so much of my hardware before trying this simple method.

[Tujo]

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear, I used the TSP in warm water method. The parts that were actually brass, like the strike plate, came up bright and shiny, but the knob is a dull metallic grey and where water settled in the cracks it has rusted a bit. Other knobs of the same pattern in the house appear to be oil rubbed bronze, so I think that finish may just be painted on.

[BrooklynRowHouse]

Sorry, I didn't see that there were two pages of replies before this one. That remaining paint might be a baked enamel. Know anyone with a garage and an ultrasonic parts cleaner?