Soda Bicarbonate is an extremely soft media (2.4 on a Mohs scale). All other Medias remove coatings by friction, which causes heat to be generated. Baking Soda and explodes upon contact with the surface to be removed. The release of this explosive energy basically blasts off the coating without generating enough heat to cause even extremely thin metals to warp. You can safely strip a soft drink can without distortion. You can successfully strip automobiles without removing the glass, chrome or rubber as the soda blasting will not harm any of these surfaces.
Click here to see a thin skinned aluminum pontoon boat that has been stripped without any damage.