A proper media blast with, say, plastic beads or baking soda shouldn't harm it at all, no more than aircraft remover would. Baking soda is so gentle that you can strip the finish off of a cheap soda can. It can take a bit of finesse to not bend the blades, but a competent professional could do it easily. Sand blasting or metal blasting would hurt it. That's just my opinion, I guess. Chemical stripping is probably his best option for DIY, though.