We get asked all the time about our "no dip" process.  These are pictures of the actual stripping area in our shop.  We use

an all cold solvent process that leaves the wood in very good condition.  It doesn't even harm veneers, which this oak

pedestal half has quite a bit of.  The final picture is after the piece has been stripped only.  No sanding had been performed.

As you can see even the grain is clean.  The key to a good restoration is getting all the old paint and varnish off the wood first.