...big difference between wood/paint stripper and the chemical vat stripper used for metal.
Chemical stripping will get into areas that a sandblaster won't get. However, if they don't rinse very thoroughly and any residue is left, your paint will peal later on.
Also, the rust will still be there although the effort to sand it off will be much easier without the paint covering it. I had mine sand blasted by an experienced shop who knew how to blast vehicles and not overheat the metal.
