I've had no problems with using a wire wheel to strip stuff. Just has to be a super soft wheel. It helps to break it in on a scrap piece of iron.

Step 1) strip them
Step 2) sand with 200 grit
Till smooth
Step 3) wet sand with 800 grit
Step 4) cut with red rouge on buffing wheel
Step 5) polish with white rouge on different, clean wheel.