There is job called furniture stripping. This job provides service to clean valuable old furniture, to prepare furniture for application of new finish, and also to strip furniture of one or more old coats of paint, varnish, or other finishes by using chemicals.
This is not rocket science, but furniture stripping involves a great deal of hands on dirty work and the use of caustic and toxic chemicals. You have to work within local, state, and federal regulations on the use and disposal of chemicals and waste materials. Communicate clearly with your clients to make sure that they have reasonable expectations about the final product. Some finishes can be completely removed, and others cannot. Some modern finishes, including certain polyurethane and acrylic products, are difficult if not impossible to strip. There are also some environmentally safe stripping solutions that don’t require special handling or disposal; depending on the finish being removed, they may be as effective as harsh chemicals. Use chemically impervious gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing in your shop; make sure there is adequate ventilation to remove fumes. Make sure your contract with the customer limits your liability for damage or loss of the furniture; don’t accept a very valuable antique or an irreplaceable heirloom if your financial exposure is too high. In dealing with your client’s property, seek to limit your liability for damage or loss to the actual replacement value of items in your possession. You should protect yourself against claims for sentimental value or loss of use.