10 coats of old paint on metal pillars - options: chemical stripper, sander or heat gun?

Probably all three…... and then call in the specialists tidy up the mess you made.

@RareDenver and you know me so well how? they would all be a mess.

I would use a Marine Paint Stripper. Should blast right through the ten coats. You could also do it with a “Rose-Bud” attachment on a propane canister and because it is a metal column it probably would be the quickest least messy approach but both would cause air quality issues and require face mask style breathing protection with dual cartridges that protect against chemical and organic vapors. Open windows would not be enough.

I would strongly recommend against grinding as 10 coats of some probably very old paint would more than likely contain lead paint and you would not want lead dust all over your house.

If you can afford it, hire someone.

All methods will be messy and each has some dangerous aspect to it.
I would probably start with a chemical stripper. Be patient and start at the top and work your way down. Be careful and make sure that you have open windows or other sources of fresh air.

I’m thinking lead paint right away as well. You don’t want any dust so the sander is out.

Thanks people… definitely not using the sander then. I am quite relieved about that as it sounded hard work!
going to try and find some marine paint stripper thanks for that @Cruiser.
@wilma they are just next to windows so that is lucky.

No-one has actually said what I wanted to hear – “I will do it for you – I’m on my way” !

heat gun makes the least mess.

Professional sandblasting. Will take about 10 minutes (plus 3 weeks to get rid of all the sand).

ooh… beach party!