I scrape a lot of old finishes off prior to refinishing Just don't like using paint/finish stripper.
It goes very fast and with a nice sharp edge you can do a stock in very short time.
Nothing more than a knife blade is needed,but so is some practice in it's use to avoid digs and marks.
I've used a regular furniture scraper, but like a plain knife blade better using my thumb against the blade as the guide for it's depth and angle against the surface of the wood.
Rounded areas are easily covered by going slightly accross the grain and no it doesn't leave marks because there is no grit involved.
I admit I do clean up the entire stock w/320 when done but it too goes quick as you are working on clean smooth wood w/no old finish to clog the paper.
Back the paper up of course w/a block.
Stain it if you like,,I always do. Then finish.
Just another way to do things.
If there's oil soaked into the wood, start by removing that with what ever method suits you or the best finishing job on top of it will be all for nothing as the imbedded petro oil pushes it right back off.
I use whiting powder mixed w/ alcohol to layer it on and let it set till it turns yellow/brown (might be a week). Brush off and recoat till it's clear of oil.
Most say to use acetone & whiting powder, but cheap rubbing alcohol works fine.
It's purpose is just to get the whiting powder into a wet texture so you can apply it to the wood. The liquid evaporates in a minute or 2, the whiting powder works over the course of (many) days.
