Tank stand re-finish

Hi all. I'm Emma, 23, and like to think I'm a bit of a handy-chick, love a bit of DIY and Bunnings to me is what shoe stores are to my friends. I've got a second-hand 4ft aquarium stand that had been slathered in Black Japan, and it hides the grain of the wood and looks awful. I'm wondering if there's a way I can take off the black without sanding (chemically, etc), because I don't think I have enough strong mates to help me take the tank off and move it outside. Plus I'd have to empty it, and mess and the dog would try to eat the turtle....
I reckon I might be able to hire a belt sander and industrial vac and do it inside, but the BF would get a bit cranky because I'd make a mess. I'd do the bits closest to the floor by hand so I don't hurt it.
Afterwards I'm going to re-stain it a medium chocolate colour and poly it. I've already done the hood and it looks great. Any help would be awesome, thanks!

Strip it with paint stripper and a scraper. Selleys polystripper will chew through it. Cover up because it's nasty stuff to get on you. intergrain liquid8 will also get it off and it's less nasty so it would be my choice if you can't take it outside.

Paint stripper will do what you want - but read the instructions and follow them - fully.

Also make sure you have the Neutralising Agent available - before you need it! And plenty of rag or tissue to wipe with.

Hi Emma

You could try 0000 grade steel wool (from the paint section in Bunnings) and methylated spirits.
This will strip older weaker finishes with out altering the surface of the wood and without nasty chemicals. Doesn't do much on a modern two-pack finish.

If the original surface has been sanded to a professional furniture grade standard then it's best to strip it without sanding - it was sanded by the original maker.

Regards

Gerard

Thanks for your replies! Sorry I took so long to come back- I've been busy painting the bathroom and taking carpet off the stairs to paint them.

I'll grab some paint stripper then, it hasn't been sanded and has lots of dips in the grain so sanding would take forever unless I got out some heavy hardware I don't have.

Thanks so much!