refinish beam

[tomh]

The easy part is testing for lead. There are swab test kits at most hardware stores. Sandblasting sounds like the best way. You will never be able to sand that deeply, and the rough wood will not strip chemically. Solid stain might be an option. Its basically latex paint, but you can go for a natural color you like. Another option may be to cover the painted beams with a veneer or boards of stained wood.

Any idea if the beams are decorative or structural?