The specifics depend on the type of surface you are sanding. But, generally, the answer is “yes.” An orbital sander is ideal for removing paint. Removing paint can be incredibly difficult. Even if you use a paint stripper, it can be a very stubborn substance.
This is a good thing in many ways, as you don’t want the paint to come off easily. But, it can be an issue when you want to refinish a piece of furniture.
Using a paint stripper can damage the surface you’re working on. As well as having dangerous fumes. So, if you can, sanding is a much better option.
If you are working on a small surface, a piece of sandpaper will do the job. But, if you’re working on something larger, such as a table or a door, an electric sander will be much faster.
As well as more forceful. Sanding a door with pieces of sandpaper will take a long time. And will give your arms a way too intense workout.
👉 Related Reading: What Household Items Can Remove Paint?
Can You Use an Orbital Sander on Walls?
Orbital sanders can also be used to remove paint from walls. But caution should be taken with this. Holding the sander upright can risk paint flakes falling into your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Using a cordless sander is best if you decide to sand off wall paint. Otherwise, it will be difficult to reach the edges of the wall.
That said, orbital sanders are pretty small. They are better suited to smaller surfaces. And, due to the circular sanding pad, evenly sanding the straight edges of a wall will be difficult. A sander with a rectangular or square pad is a better option for a wall.
What is the Best Sander to Remove Paint?
This depends on the type of surface you’re working on. For a lot of projects, an orbital sander is the best option. You can choose between a standard orbital sander and a random orbital sander.
A standard orbital sander will rotate in continuous circles. As the name suggests, a random orbital sander will move in more random directions.
Orbital sanders are usually quite small. So are best for surfaces such as doors, tables, wardrobes, and chests of drawers. Anything larger will need a more heavy-duty tool. On the other hand, anything smaller will be too fragile for an orbital sander.
For something such as a chair, sandpaper will do the job. If you’re trying to remove a lot of paint, a mouse detail sander is a good option. It will allow you to get into small corners and go along uneven edges, such as chair legs.
👉 Related Reading: How Do You Remove Primer?
Will an Orbital Sander Leave Swirl Marks?
Although they will likely be faint, there is a pretty good chance that an orbital sander will leave swirl marks. This includes a random orbital sander. If you’re removing paint, you still need to sand down the wood itself.
This is because you should always sand down a surface before painting it. To achieve a smoother and longer-lasting finish.
It is possible to buff out these swirl marks. This can be done with a sanding block or go over them with sandpaper. The marks will only be light. But they can often still be seen through varnish and polish. As the top surface of the wood will be altered.
If repainting the wood, then there is a good chance that the swirls will not be visible, mainly if you use a good-quality primer and paint. However, it is still worth going over the wood to try to remove the swirls, just in case.
👉 Related Reading: Can I Paint Over Stained Wood?
Can I Use a Random Orbital Sander to Refinish Hardwood Floors?
You absolutely can. In fact, this is the best kind of sander to use for this kind of project. It won’t be easy, however. Orbital sanders are relatively small. And, although you can find larger ones, finishing a whole room will take a long time—even a small box room.
But if you’re willing to do this, it’s worth having a go. Other options include much larger sanders similar in shape and size to a lawnmower. But these are very difficult to handle, especially if you’re new to sanding.
You will have much more control over an orbital sander. Specifically, using a random orbital sander will also allow you to work more quickly. However, you will need to switch to another tool for the corners and edges. This is due to the circular shape of the sanding pad.
👉 Related Reading: How Do You Remove Paint from Floorboards?
Can You Sand the Paint Off of a Door?
You can. But you should be careful when doing so. If the paint is chipped, try to take as much as you can off with a scraper, especially if large chunks of paint are peeling and chipping off. Using a sander is difficult with this sort of surface.
Once you have removed the loose pieces, then start with the sander. If you can, it’s best to remove the door from its hinges and lay it flat. This will give you more control. And allow you to get into all of the grooves and angles.
Rather than sanding upright and risking the door moving on its hinges. Which can be dangerous if you lose control of the sander.
Once all the paint has been removed, sand the wood again. This will provide a smooth surface for varnishing or repainting. As mentioned above, it’s super important to sand down a surface before applying any decoration.
Can I Use an Orbital Sander to Remove Paint from Concrete?
You can, but be careful with it. Sanding concrete will be a little more difficult than sanding wood due to its uneven surface. So it’s important to work carefully and slowly. And only use a sander if you have tried everything else first.
👉 Related Reading: Does White Spirit Remove Paint From Concrete?
