What is the best way people have found to remove the remaining lacquer from tail pieces that are gunked up and need to be refinished?

After removing the parts I use paint stripper, then ultra fine 0000 steel hool and brasso. To respray clear you will need to make sure the parts are totally clean after stripping them. A good thinner should do that.

It's also a good time to replace the brass screws with stainless for the tail piece.