Best Sanders to Remove Paint
Are you tired of spending hours trying to remove stubborn paint from furniture? One of the best sanding furniture tips would be to use a sander to get the job done quickly and efficiently. So, we compared the best sanders to remove paint from a dresser, and we’re here to share our results with you!
We’ll introduce you to 3 sanders, including tips on what is the best sandpaper and what grit to use for removing paint from furniture. Keep reading to find out which sanders made it onto our list!
Before painting a piece of furniture, you may need to remove the old paint, especially if it’s in poor condition. The paint could be peeling or chipping, or you may just want to start with a clean slate for the new paint job.
You can sand by hand, but using a sander can save you time and energy. A sander allows you to get to the painting process sooner, so your project is completed faster. Plus, it can help remove paint from intricate designs or tight corners that would be difficult to reach with hand sanding.
Now, we primed a dresser with some waterbased 123 primer, and even after 10 days of it drying, it was scratching off easily. So, we had to remove it and start our project over. But while we sanded, we compared 3 of the best sanders to remove paint. Learn the different types of sanders for furniture here!
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(Check out the best sanders for furniture to learn more about each sander!)
SurfPrep 3×4 Sander VS. SurfPrep 5″ Orbital Sander
First, we compared the SurfPrep 3×4 Sander VS. the SurfPrep 5″ Orbital Sander. We used 80 grit SurfPrep sanding screens on each sander. (Use code RAY10 to get 10% off your order.)
Both were at their highest speed, and I tried to sand quickly with both. I set a timer for 5 minutes and sanded 1 side of the dresser with the SurfPrep 3×4 sander. When the timer rang, I stopped. And then, I did the same thing on the other side of the dresser with the SurfPrep 5″ Orbital Sander. And here are the results!
SurfPrep 3×4 Sander for Paint Removal
In 5 minutes, this is how much I had sanded with the SurfPrep 3×4 sander.
There was a small area about 7″ tall x 6.5″ wide, that I hadn’t sanded. But I was able to sand to the edge and in the corner all of the way. And yeah, there were still some areas where there were spots of paint.
SurfPrep Orbital Sander for Paint Removal
In 5 minutes, this is how much I sanded with the SurfPrep 5″ Orbital Sander.
There was another area, this time just slightly larger at about 8.5″ tall x 9″ wide, that I hadn’t sanded. But I wasn’t able to get as close to the edges, and I couldn’t get into the corner, either. Check out my honest SurfPrep 5″ Orbital Sander review here for more about this sander.
My husband sanded the top of the dresser, working from the edge and doing the same comparison. His comparison was a little harder to see, but they look about equal.
SurfPrep 3×4 Sander VS Ryobi Corner Cat Detail Sander
So, then we tested the SurfPrep 3×4″ sander VS the Ryobi Corner Cat Sander that I recommend using as a SurfPrep Sander alternative if you aren’t able to invest in the SurfPrep Sander. You should also check out my list of the best detail sanders here for other options.
Ryobi Corner Cat Detail Sander for Removing Paint
We didn’t have SurfPrep’s sanding screens that fit this sander, but we wanted it to be a fair comparison. So, I cut a couple of SurfPrep’s 80 grit sanding screens to the shape of the detail sander.
And then, since we didn’t have 2 more sides to test on, we tested on the drawers. I set my timer for 5 minutes again and started sanding. By the time I sanded all of that rectangle area, there was 1 minute and 17 seconds left on the timer. So it took 3 minutes and 43 seconds to sand this much.
One major downside of the Ryobi Corner Cat Detail Sander, in this case, was its shape. It was hard to get the front and back edges because of the point. And then the other end of the sander isn’t completely squared off or flat, so it’s hard to get it right up to the edges too. The hose connection also got in the way in this case and scratched the raised trim.
Then I sanded another drawer with a fresh 80 grit sanding screen and the SurfPrep 3×4 Sander. Holy moly! It was so fast. By the time I sanded all of that rectangle area, there was 3 minutes and 34 seconds left on the timer. So it took 1 minute and 26 seconds to sand this much.
A major time saver was the shape of the sander. It was easy to get into all of the edges and corners. It also seemed to sand faster, even in the middle of the drawer, when the edges weren’t a factor.
Looking back at the videos I took, the Ryobi sander took about a minute to sand the middle between the hardware holes. The SurfPrep 3×4″ sander took about 30 seconds for the same area.
Best Sander to Remove Paint
In the end, I was blown away. I thought that the orbital sander was going to sand faster than the 3×4! But nope, the 3×4 seemed to be just slightly faster. I wasn’t shocked that the 3×4″ sander did better than the Ryobi detail sander. But I was shocked that it was that much faster!
So, out of these 3 best sanders to remove paint, which is the best one? In this comparison, the SurfPrep 3×4″ Sander outshined the other sanders! (Use code RAY10 to get 10% off your order)
It’s more versatile than the others and can get into areas that the others can’t. And it sanded faster than the others, too. Watch the comparison video here!
Best Sandpaper to Remove Paint from Wood
In this comparison of the best sanders to remove paint, I used the sanding screens because I feel like they outperform every other type of sandpaper. Sanding screens stay sharp for longer, they don’t get as clogged up (and when they do get clogged, you can lightly rub them against other sandpaper to remove the clogging.
And I feel like they just remove paint better than other sandpaper. Diablo sand net and SurfPrep sanding screens are the only ones I’ve tried, but they both work very well. Learn more about the best sandpaper for furniture painting here.
Best Sandpaper Grit to Remove Paint
To remove paint from wood, start with a lower number of grit sandpaper. The lower the grit, the more aggressive it is.
I like to start with 100 grit sandpaper, because it’s not as aggressive as some, but it will still remove paint. If it takes way too long to remove the paint with 100 grit, then I change it out for 80 grit. If the 100 grit sandpaper removes the paint easily, great!
Why don’t I like to start with 80 grit? Because I don’t know what kind of wood is under the paint. If the paint comes off easily, and there is wood veneer under the paint, I don’t want to sand through the thin veneer and ruin it.
If I use 80 grit sandpaper to remove most of the paint, then I move up to 120 grit sandpaper and sand everything again to smooth it out. Then I move to 180 grit sandpaper, and then 220 grit sandpaper to end with a smooth feel.
It’s best to move through the grits, (you can skip 1 grit at a time) to slowly remove the deep scratches slowly. Moving through the different grits will also help you not have sanding swirls in the wood when you’re done sanding. Here is a great variety pack of SandNet sandpaper that comes with the grits you need!
You can check out more options for the best sandpaper for removing paint from wood in this post! Learn more about the sanding process in our guide on how to sand down wood here.
More Tips on How to Remove Paint with a Sander
Aside from the sandpaper you use, there are a few other tips that can help you remove paint with a sander more effectively. First, make sure to clean the surface you’ll be sanding before starting. Dust and debris can clog up your sandpaper and decrease its effectiveness. Here’s our guide on how to clean furniture before painting.
Use light pressure when sanding – let the sander’s weight do the work to avoid deep scratches. Move the sander in one consistent direction and at a steady pace, and avoid going back and forth to prevent swirl marks and uneven sanding.
Another helpful tip is to change out your sandpaper frequently. When it gets clogged with paint debris, it doesn’t work as well and can even mess up the wood. Keep some extra sandpaper nearby so you can quickly grab a fresh sheet when you need it.
And finally, don’t forget about safety! Wear protective gear like a respirator to keep dust out of your lungs and debris out of your eyes. Be careful with power tools, and always unplug them before switching sandpaper or making adjustments.
How to remove paint from wood without sanding
I’m not going to lie, sanding to remove paint from wood is a long job. This 9 drawer dresser took us a day to remove the paint. Mostly because we had to get into the crevices by hand.
You can remove paint from wood by using a chemical stripper. But it isn’t necessarily any faster. But it takes less elbow grease. Here are some tutorials on removing paint from wood with a chemical stripper.
- How to Remove Paint from Wood Furniture
- How to Strip Paint from Wood Furniture
- Best Tools for Removing Paint from Wood
You can also try using a carbide scraper to remove paint. But it’s going to take a lot of elbow grease. Once the paint is removed, follow these steps to refinishing furniture to give your piece a fresh look.
So, which of these best sanders to remove paint are you going to try? Whether it’s the SurfPrep 3×4 Sander, SurfPrep 5″ Orbital Sander, or the Ryobi Corner Cat Detail Sander, you’ll have no trouble removing paint from wood quickly and easily. Remember to pair your chosen sander with high quality sandpaper with the right grit for the best results!
More Sander Resources
- What You Need To Get Started with SurfPrep Sander
- SurfPrep Sander Review
- SurfPrep Sander Test – How to Use an Electric Sander On Furniture
- SurfPrep VS Festool Sander Reviews
- How to Sand Curved Surfaces
Follow us on YouTube to get more tips for painting furniture. Or share your project with us on our Facebook Group and be part of our community. See you there!