Those of you who get This Old House have probbably already seen this but I wanted to share with everyone since I have found this tip to be invaluable. To strip paint from metal hardware, door knobs, hinges, sash locks, ect. Simmer overnight in a crockpot on med with water and a little liquid laundry detergent. Works wonders, the paint just falls off in one piece! I went nuts cleaning up all the ornate door plates and such when I found out they are old brass.