Surface prep question?

[G.T.]

Hello to all, I have a question for all the restoration and/or refinish guys that have had to battle some tough finish removal in the past!... I have stripped finish with chemicals, and also the old fashioned way with sand paper and /or wire wheels and steel wool. The problem with the above, they are all time consuming, usually alter the surface, and are also expensive, not to mention messy most of the time.
My question is more geared to the members that use sand or glass bead blasters? I have a very talented friend from the aircraft industry back ground recently inform me that for the delicate projects they use Industrial grade Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) instead of the more course media more frequently/previously used... So here's the main query on the subject, have any of you fellows ever used it, and will it remove blue or black oxide finishes?... Walnut shell is another medium that would be interesting to try? But probably lacks the aggressiveness to defeat the different finish types.. If you know, let me know!....... best to all, til...lat'r....GT