Just to add to your confusion I used a belt sander for the flat areas. I found that 80 grit got through the varnish very quickly. I have to add that I also have many years of experience in using power tools so not for the uninitiated. My weapon of choice for striping varnish is the hot air gun. It doesn’t take long to get used to how much heat is needed and how best to use the paint scraper.
John Mellor.
W1162 and W10053