I would not try to remove the existing

paint. Removing the paint might require disassembly, mechanical paint removal.

Thanks, but we definitely want to remove the paint.

OK, remove the potting mix/plants, dig out around the box, disassemble, remove, media blast, stain. Before staining, test stain a small portion for color verification.

Far too complicated. Don't need to be disassembled. Just looking for input on if we should powerwash, sand, or use a paint stripper?

"Stain" will not penetrate through the paint. You can lightly sand and "paint" again in color of choice.

Powerwashing and sanding will do nothing.

These aren't complex pieces of wood furniture that are worth the effort to save and refinish. They are fairly easy to build. The effort and cost to strip the paint enough to be able to stain it would be WAY more than to just buy the lumber and rebuild them.

Or just paint them a different colour as krissie55 said.

Just wanted to voice that I wouldn’t bother with refinishing these either... however, if I did decide to, I would sand it making sure to use “non-loading” sandpaper.

To clarify, this is a DIY project. We don't know how to remove and build new benches. Don't want a new paint color. We want a teak stain to accent the MCM architecture. That's the plan. No changes. Original question: what is the best method to remove the paint? Thanks for all the input so far!

I'm no expert, but I've used soygel and a scraper to successfully remove paint off wood and brick. That would probably be the easiest to try. I've also used a heat gun and the heavy duty chemicals...but that was a more involved process.

I would use a heat gun and metal paint scraper.

Remember, paint has closed the pores of the wood and a stain will remain on top rather than soak into the wood. You can stain over paint but be aware that the stain may slide off and have light and dark places on finished item. Google staining over paint for full instructions. An oil base stain will work better than a water base stain.

The best way to remove the paint in preparation for stain is media blasting.

There are alternatives, but the alternatives are not the best way.

You have recommendations for the best way and alternatives. Your choice.

Again, we do not want to stain over the paint. Original question: how best to remove the paint. That's all.

To remove paint: Use chemical paint stripper and hope it removes enough of the paint in order to stain. The pores of wood may still be clogged and a stain may or may not go on even color.

Just looking for input on if we should powerwash, sand, or use a paint stripper?

All of the above. This will not be a fun project.

You can blast it as suggested, too, but you'll likely have paint left in the gaps between the boards.

...also, just my guess... but I’m pretty sure those are just pressure treated pine boards, not something one would stain.

Recipe for rot because moisture would be trapped between the boards & not be able to dry out.

Maybe we'll just get someone to build them out with new wood directly on top of the old.

Again, it's probably just as easy (if not easier) to just rebuild them. They are extremely simple benches.

I've painted, removed paint and repainted hundreds of things. It's not nearly as difficult as people want you to believe. You really do need to disassemble it, or you won't be able to get the paint off the edges, or get it sanded enough for the stain to sink in. And I'm not sure that staining it will give you the "look" you are going for. I wouldn't get rid of it, I think it's a nice piece.

I would use a wood stripper first, then any paint that is left, I'd use an orbital sander and sand it off. It's time consuming, but not particularly difficult.

Do not put boards on top, it won't look right. The easiest thing to do is to paint it a color that mimics teak. I think it would look nice.

Even if you put in all the tedious work to remove all the paint, you are unlikely to get a uniform application of stain even if you have sanded the surface, unless you use something that is highly opaque. I vote for scrapping them and rebuilding what you want as a more time and cost efficient approach, and one that will give more satisfactory results.

To clarify again, disassembling, rebuilding, or painting is not an option. They are securely anchored and buried in the ground from original build in the 1950s. Want a teak wood finish, otherwise they'll just stay as is. So helpful to hear the options, pros/cons, etc. Wow!

Of course, it is possible to remove the paint from those benches, given enough time, elbow grease and money. I would test with a heat gun and scraper and try to get off the majority of paint with that approach. Next I would move on to chemical stripper before sanding.
This is a major effort project but won't pay off with a commensurate amount of curb appeal. There are lots of potential projects and many of them will have a better return on your investment. DIY labor has a value and you need to spend some time thinking about which projects are a good use of your time and effort. With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, I would approach projects at my house differently so I am encouraging you to read the prior comments representing many years spent on numerous projects. It is your house so do what you want but I would certainly suggest a small test patch before total commitment

I misread it as the benches and the paint only being 2 years old.

Those benches are from the 50s?!? Where did you get that information from? They look practically new. I have a hard time believing that wood is 70 years old.