Ever stared at a chipped, peeling piece of furniture and wondered how to get it back to its smooth, original state? That old, faded paint hides potential beauty underneath, but getting rid of it can feel like a huge chore. Choosing the right sandpaper for paint removal often leaves people scratching their heads. Should you use coarse or fine grit? What type of paper works best on wood versus metal? These questions can make a simple refinishing project feel overly complicated, leading to wasted time and frustration.
Don’t let confusing sandpaper jargon stop your next DIY project! This guide cuts through the confusion. We will clearly explain exactly which sandpaper grit levels tackle tough paint layers and which ones give you that perfect, smooth finish. By the end of this post, you will confidently select the ideal sandpaper for any paint removal job, saving you effort and ensuring professional-looking results.
Top Sandpaper To Remove Paint Recommendations
- INCLUDED ALL YOU NEED: This fine sandpaper kit comes with two sheets of each grit in 120/ 150/ 180/ 240/ 320/ 400/ 600/ 800/ 1000/ 1200/ 1500/ 2000/ 2500/ 3000 totaling 28 sheets
- HIGH QUALITY PAPER: Will not fall apart, tear or crumble off during using
- WET AND DRY USING: Made of silicone carbide and electro coated that can suitable for both wet and dry use, so you can use them on everything from metal, wooden to plastic or porcelain
- LONG ENOUGH FOR HAND USING OR PLACED ON SANDING BLOCK: All the sanding paper are 9”/ 22.9cm long that could be used in hand or easily be placed on a sanding block, you also can cut it to any size as you need
- Resilient & Sharp - Boasting a robust fiber mesh base, the strip discs come with abrasive particles firmly attached for a potent cutting force. No fear of sand granules falling off mid-grind
- Highly Effective Grinding - This high-speed paint stripper tool removes paint and primer down to bare metal faster than regular sanders. It enhances surfaces without damage, making it perfect for quick rust and paint removal and ideal for polishing metal structures
- 1/4" Solid Hex Shank - The set includes six 2" strip discs with a solid 1/4" hex shank that's easy to hold and secure. Ideal for rotary tools and grinders with a max rotation speed of 15,000 RPM
- Safe & Quiet Operation - The strip disc flexible honeycomb design helps prevent chip buildup, flying grinding particles, and sparks. It leaves surfaces clear, shiny, and free from heat-induced discoloration
- Wide Application - These paint stripper wheel excel at paint and adhesive removal, cleaning weld lines, oxidation removal and auto body surface prep
- 【PREMIUM SANDPAPERS, DURABLE SANDING BLOCK 】The sandpaper grit is premium silicon carbide that provides abrasion resistance, high efficiency and good effect. Featured with electro coated technology, the abrasives are homogeneously distributed on sand paper. The abrasives attach firmly won’t fall off while sanding. Backing paper is tear-resistant and flexible. The hand sander is made of ABS, with foam for sanding cushion, screw clamp for holding abrasive sheets firmly
- 【VARIOUS GRITS, IDENTIFIABLE NUMBERS】LANNEY sandpaper assortment contains 12 sheets: 2 sheets of grit 120/220/320/400 and 1 sheet of 600/1000/1500/2500 grit, providing you with a wide selection from coarse to fine grits. You don’t have to buy a full pack of each grit. With these variety sand paper assortment pack, you have right grade for various projects. Grits numbers are printed on the back, which help you to easily identify the grits
- 【WATERPROOF SANDPAPERS SUIT FOR DRY AND WET SANDING】Made of waterproof silicone carbide, the sandpapers are great for both dry and wet sanding. No matter you want to dry sand for wood furniture or wet sand for scratched glasses, LANNEY sand paper won’t let you down. Owing to tensile resistant technology, will not fall apart, tear or crumble off during use
- 【STANDARD SIZED SANDPAPER AND SANDING BLOCK SANDER】Every piece of sandpaper assortment is of standard size 9”x 3.6”, which is easy to use covering a good amount of area at a time and will effectively get its job done to save your time. You don’t have to cut it all the time. The included Sanding Block Sander fits well and keeps the sand paper in place. The lightweight hand sander has comfortable grip and easy one-handed operation
- 【MULTIPURPOSE, IDEAL GIFT】Sand paper assortment pack widely used in woodworking, automotive polishing, wood sanding, metal finishing, plastic grinding, art and craft. Wet dry sandpaper is suitable for glass, porcelain, walls, furniture, cars, jewelry, stone and more.
- Meets All Your Needs: 48 pcs sand paper kit, 16 grits sandpaper assortment, including 3 sheets of each grit: 120, 150, 180, 220, 240, 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 5000 grit sanding paper
- Outstanding Material: Our dry wet sandpaper made of silicon carbide, electro coated ensures the grit distributed homogeneously, waterproof and tensile resistant technology enables these abrasive paper sheets sturdy and lasts
- Easy To Use: Fine sandpaper size 9 x 3.6 inch, you also can cut it into any size as you need, the grits of the sandpaper are printed on the back for easy identification
- Widely Used: Variety of grit can meet most of your daily usage, fine grit sandpaper suitable for use in metal, automotive, wood work, plastic, crafts, resin, glass applications for buffing and polishing
- 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed: Our team will be responsible for every customers, please contact us if any issue with our sandpaper kit, we will be very happy to solve the problem for you
- 🔶 PRODUCT SIZE AND CONTENTS: The package includes 36 units with a wide variety of grits: 120 (3 sheets), 220 (3 sheets), 280 (3 sheets), 360 (3 sheets), 400 (3 sheets), 800 (3 sheets), 1000 (3 sheets), 1200 (3 sheets), 1500 (4 sheets), 2000 (4 sheets), 2500 (4 sheets). Size: 22.86 x 9.14 cm. Can also be easily cut to fit any smaller size required..
- 🔧 POSSIBLE USES: Recommended for automotive use as well as general household applications on a wide variety of materials. Due to its silicon carbide composition, it achieves a unique finish in wet applications and provides superior cutting power that reduces working times and facilitates sanding operations..
- 🕑 GREAT DURABILITY AND MORE ADVANTAGES: Its closed structure guarantees fast sanding and a long lifespan. It has a very flexible backing that easily adapts to any surface. Sandpaper granule thickness are printed on the back for easy identification..
- ✅ PREMIUM QUALITY: The sandpaper has a water-resistant paper backing with non-slip properties that allow dry and wet work. We take care of the forests! At Fandeli we want to be sure that our products are made from materials that come from well-managed forests, and for this reason our paper raw material suppliers are FSC certified..
- 📍 MADE IN MEXICO, QUALITY GUARANTEED: Fandeli sandpaper is present in 30 countries around the world. Since its foundation in 1927, it has been a favourite of professionals and DIY enthusiasts all over the world. We are committed to offering you the highest quality products possible and we are 100% confident in the quality of our products because our sandpaper sheets are not only made with love, but we go above and beyond with our customer service..
- [Sand Paper Pack] Meets All Your Need - Including 2 sheets of each grit: 400/600/800/1000/1200/1500/2000 Grits, total 14 sheets.
- [Easy to Use] Product Size: 23 x 9 cm (9 x 3.6 Inch), also can be cut into any smaller size you need easily.
- [Advanced Abrasive Material] Premium Quality - Made of waterproof silicon carbide, electro coated ensures the grit distributed homogeneously, good for wet and dry sanding.
- [Multifunctional] Suitable for use in art and craft, wood work, automotive, metal, and plastic applications for buffing and polishing.
- [Easy to Identify] The grits of the sandpaper are printed on the back for easy identification.
- 【Premium Durability】– Made with high-quality silicon carbide abrasive,these sanding sheets provide long-lasting performance for wood,metal,auto and paint sanding
- 【Wet & Dry Use】– Designed for both wet and dry sanding,ideal for sanding,polishing and refinishing projects with minimal cloggin
- 【Multi-Grit Assortment】– Includes 80 to 5000 grit sand paper (10 sheets each of 80,120,240,400,600,800,1000,1500,3000,5000) for coarse to fine sanding needs
- 【Universal Size】– 9x3.6 inch sheets fit most hand sanding blocks & orbital sanders,easy to cut for custom sizes
- 【Versatile Applications】– Perfect for woodworking,automotive repair, drywall,and DIY projects—great for professionals & hobbyists
- Package Comes With 2 Sheets Of Each Grit In 220/ 320/ 400/ 600/ 800/ 1000 And One Sheet Of Each Grit In 120/ 1200/ 1500/ 2000/ 2500/ 3000 Totaling 18 Sheets
- Durable And High-Quality Sheets Will Not Fall Apart, Tear Or Crumble Off During Using
- Long Enough For Hand Using Or Placed On Sanding Block, Also Can Be Cut Into Any Smaller Size You Need.
- Size: 9” X 3.6”
- Perfect For Automotive Sanding, Wood Furniture Finishing, Metal Finishing, Plastic And Glass Finishing, Etc.
Choosing the Right Sandpaper to Banish Old Paint
Removing old paint is a big job. Good sandpaper makes it much easier. This guide helps you pick the best sandpaper for stripping paint.
Key Features to Look For
When you buy sandpaper for paint removal, check these main things:
- Grit Size: This is how rough the paper is. For thick paint, you need coarse grits (low numbers like 40 or 60). For smoothing after the rough work, use finer grits (higher numbers like 120 or 150).
- Backing Material: The paper needs to hold up. Look for strong backing so it doesn’t tear easily when scrubbing tough paint.
- Coating Type: This refers to how the grit sticks to the paper. Closed coat means the grit covers the surface completely. Open coat lets dust pass through easier, which is great for soft materials like paint.
Important Materials in Sandpaper
The material of the grit matters a lot for paint removal.
Abrasive Material
You usually choose between three main abrasive types for paint stripping:
- Aluminum Oxide: This is tough and lasts long. It works well on wood and metal surfaces where you are taking off hard paint layers.
- Silicon Carbide: This cuts very fast. It is often better for very hard paints or for finishing work on metal. It breaks down a bit faster than aluminum oxide.
- Ceramic: This is the toughest. Ceramic grits stay sharp longer, making them excellent for heavy-duty removal on large areas. They cost more but save time.
Backing Material
The paper or cloth that holds the grit is the backing. Heavy-duty paper or cloth backings resist tearing better. Cloth backings are usually more flexible for curved areas.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one sandpaper better than another?
Quality Boosters
Better sandpaper uses stronger glue to hold the grit. High-quality paper keeps its cutting edge longer. Premium sheets often have special anti-clog coatings. These coatings stop paint dust from sticking between the grit, keeping the paper effective.
Quality Reducers
Cheap sandpaper often sheds its grit quickly. If you see grit falling off right away, the glue is weak. Sandpaper that clogs fast makes you stop working often to clean it. This slows down your whole paint removal project.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the sandpaper changes what you should buy.
User Experience
If you sand by hand, flexible paper is more comfortable. For orbital or belt sanders, you need sheets that match the tool’s shape perfectly. Sheets with pre-punched holes are necessary if your sander uses a dust collection system.
Use Cases
- Stripping Thick Oil Paint from Wood: Start with 40 or 60 grit Aluminum Oxide. Work your way up to 100 grit for a smoother surface before priming.
- Removing Light Varnish from Metal: Use 80 grit Silicon Carbide. Metal requires a sharper grit to cut through the finish.
- Smoothing Bondo or Filler on a Car: A finer 120 grit is often used here after the initial shaping is done with a coarser grit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Paint Removal Sandpaper
Q: What is the best grit number to start with when removing old paint?
A: Start with a low grit number, usually 40 or 60. This coarse grit removes the paint layers quickly. Remember, lower numbers mean rougher paper.
Q: Should I use sandpaper for hand sanding or for a power sander?
A: This depends on the job size. For small areas, hand sanding is fine. For large surfaces, use sheets designed for your orbital or belt sander. Power sanders need sheets that fit the pad size.
Q: How do I stop the sandpaper from clogging with paint?
A: Look for sandpaper labeled “Open Coat” or ones with “Stearate” coatings. These special coatings resist sticking to the paint dust. Also, frequently bang the paper against a hard surface to clear the dust.
Q: Can I reuse sandpaper after removing paint?
A: Yes, you can reuse it if it hasn’t completely clogged or torn. Clean off the caked-on paint dust thoroughly. If the grit is worn down, it will cut slower.
Q: Is sanding the only way to remove paint?
A: No, chemical strippers are an alternative. However, sanding is necessary afterward to smooth the surface and remove any residue the stripper leaves behind.
Q: Does the backing material matter for paint removal?
A: Yes, it matters for durability. Heavy paper or cloth backings hold up much better against the resistance of thick paint than very thin paper.
Q: What is the difference between Aluminum Oxide and Silicon Carbide for this job?
A: Aluminum Oxide is very durable for general wood and paint removal. Silicon Carbide cuts faster and sharper, making it better for hard finishes or metal.
Q: How do I choose the right grit to finish the job?
A: After removing the paint with coarse paper (like 60 grit), you must switch to finer paper (like 100 or 120 grit). This “stepping up” removes the deep scratches left by the rough paper.
Q: Is expensive sandpaper worth the extra cost for paint stripping?
A: Often, yes. More expensive sandpaper usually has better grit adhesion and anti-clog features. This means you use fewer sheets overall, saving you time and frustration.
Q: What safety gear must I wear when sanding old paint?
A: Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris. Wear a good dust mask or respirator, especially if the paint is old, as it might contain lead.