5 Best Sanders for Removing Paint (Guide in 2024)

Published on: January 19, 2022
Written by Eric Devin / Fact-checked by David Rowan

If you’re planning to renovate your home or office or any other workplace, the first thing you may think of is how will you be able to choose the right tool for your project!

Because removing paint from any material can be a pretty much tough job and also you need enough time to get the desired result.

You also need a proper tool and method to remove paint from your working piece. Choosing a perfect power tool for this job can be tricky. But if you know the necessary detail about a good sander that can make easy your paint removal job, you’ll be able to select the right one for you In the twinkling of an eye.

5 best sanders for removing paint

If you are looking for the best sander for paint removal, please see here the how-to guide and share a few tips on how to reduce the important features of paint, strength, and speed.

But don’t worry about where you’ll be able to find all this information!

‘Dynabrade Non-Vacuum Random Orbital Sander will be overall a good choice for you. It comes will all the needed features so feel free to pick them. 

I’ve tried to discuss all of them in this guideline. So if you’ve time, you can just have a glance over this and choose the one for you. 

Types of Sander

It’d be better for you to select the right one for you if you know about different types of sander that can remove paint. And they are-

Orbital Sanders

An orbital sander is usually made with high OPMs (motions per minute), with which you can have an idea about how fast it can complete the sanding job. They come with ergonomic handles which ensure comfort while working with them and they are good for working on a wooden workpiece.

Arbitrary Circle Sanders

These sanders are the best option to strip the paint off your furniture. If you want a clean surface between the coats of paint arbitrary circle sanders are the tool you need. They also work faster than other sanders like- vibrating sanders.

Shaft Sanders

These sanders are perfect for smoothing bends and edges. You can complete your material-removing process with a shaft sander easily but it will perform better if you combine it with a belt sander. Just check the positioning of the sander controls, belt strain modification, steel plate, and belt revolver.

Belt Sanders

Among different types of sanders, the belt sander is the most commonly used sander because of its versatility and efficiency. These types of sanders are used mainly for shaping and finishing wood or other materials.

Read more: Finding the Best Detail Sanders – Top 5 Picks Reviews

How to Choose a Sander for Removing Paint

how to choose a sander for removing paint
Credit: Photo: Amazon.com

The process of removing paint from any material is a little bit tough. But if you have the right device, you can easily complete the task. For choosing the right product, you need to know the features of the right sander.

Power

To remove the paint you need a powerful sander. So make sure the sander you’re buying has enough Amps to remove the paint from your material. Available 5in sanders have an engine of 3 amps, but if possible for you, go for 6 amps for a paint removal job. This type of sander will perform well on heavy-duty work and also will last for a long time.

Speed

While buying a sander for paint removal purposes, check that the machine has variable speed. Because variable speed allows you to have good control over the tool during the job even on a flat surface.

Speed Lock

Orbital sanders come with a speed lock feature with which you’ll be able to hold the sander while focusing on your job. But you should remember that the sander needs to lock at its highest speed.

Read more: Finding the Best Sander for Metal – Top 5 Reviewed

Dust Collection System

Whatever device you buy, check that the machine has a good dust collection system as you are removing paint with it. Moreover, you won’t want to work with a tool that blows paint and dust all over your workspace. So your machine must have an updated dust collection system in it.

Low Vibration

This is another important feature that your sander should have. Because you may need to work for a long time with it, in that case, your hands may become numb. So make sure that the sander you’re going to buy has a vibration control option and you’ll be comfortable while using it.

Size

Orbital sanders and belt sanders come in a range of sizes, and most of them fall into the 5-inch classification. More modest sanders are easier to move than larger sanders. 

They may not be as strong as adults, sadly. Consider buying the best sander for the things you need.

Diameter

An orbital sander is your best friend for medium to large carpenter projects. Because of their small 14 sanding sheets, it would take a piece of time to do the job with a palm sander. Basically, the width of the sanding plate determines how much space you can productively cover each time measurement.

Quality of the Engine

With regards to eliminating paint rapidly and successfully, engine execution and amperage are essential. Since the speed isn’t sufficiently high, even a gigantic sanding plate won’t be to the point of covering the full surface.

Quick Solutions

Be Able to Use an Orbital Sander to Remove Paint?

These are extra suitable for removing paint from flat door jambs, hardwood floors,  or even metallic sanders. On the off-chance of the task being a one-size-fits-all baseboard, it should use a composite paint stripper, so that the sanding interaction does not destroy its forms.

How Would You Clean Wood Subsequent to Stripping Paint?

Probably the most well-known method for cleaning wood after cutting is a mixture of vinegar and water. Combine these two liquids to equivalent extents. Fine cloth is dipped inside this layout and any wood tenderness depends on the striping expert.

What is Rotary Sander Utilized for?

Removing sanding paint, stains,  metal finishes, wood, plastic, or rust. The rotating cushion gives the ability to quickly place a large sander for more developed preparation.

View Top 5 Sanders for Removing Paint 

1. Bosch ROS20VSC Random Orbital Sander for Removing Paint 

  • Model no: ROS20VSC;
  • Motor: 2.5 amp;
  • No-load speed: 7,500-12,000 OPM;
  • Pad diameter: 6 inches (150 mm):
  • Height   6.0″;
  • Length  9.0″;

Exclusive features- Arrives with an abrasive sample pack, plug-it power cord, filter bag with holder, stickFix sanding pad, soft sustained, etc.

Dust collector with smart sanding- For removing paint, two major things become our concern. One is a good dust collector and another is an aggressive sander. The EROS20VSC model from Bosch has all these with other extra benefits.

So, it’s okay that you don’t have any high-quality dust collector to pick up all the mess you have done while stripping layers of paint from your workpieces. The built-in dust collector is good to extract paint dust and other superfine clouds of dust quite nicely.

The advertisement claims its dust collection to be efficient to the extent that the abrasives you are gonna use will have a 30% longer life compared to other models.

Variable speed- Though we are talking about a sander for removing paints, no one usually purchases a sander for that purpose alone. This sander has a variable speed, so you can do almost anything with it. But it is a bit overweight for vertical and overboard sanding.

Smooth Finish- This sander ensures a smooth finish of the surface for its pad-dampening system. This design is made to eliminate swirl marks on both flat and contoured surfaces.

Easy Disc attachment- Sometimes disk attachment creates big issues. You need not worry because this sander comes with an easy dist attachment method with Bosch’s signature Hook and Loop disc attachment system. This is one of the best disk sanders in the market for removing old paint and chemical paint stripper.

Things We Liked

  • Overload protected; 
  • Long warranty;
  • Long-lasting abrasive;
  • Easy to use with easy process. 

Things We Didn’t Like

  • Slightly heavy it sometimes creates problems.

2. Dynabrade Non-Vacuum Sander for Paint Removal

  • Model no: 56815;
  • Pad size: 5 inches;
  • Motor: ¼ hp;
  • No-load speed: 12,000 RPM;
  • Air Flow Rate (SCFM): 14 psi;
  • Weight: 2.4 lbs;
  • Arrives with bare-tool only. 

I call it the minimalistic sander for DIY hobbyists. Because the manufacturers got rid of almost everything other than the pad and motor while making it. It arrives without a dust collector, which is a positive thing in my opinion.

Dust collector- Because usually, the attached dust collectors are ineffective to collect all the dust we make and we end up using a shop vac. So, what’s the point of paying for a built-in dust collector if I am not using it? Hence, this unit is more affordable to users who are willing to use it for light to medium projects.

High Speed- It is a single-speed sander, but the delivered speed is very high. So, you have to be careful about which paper you are using on which surface. 

Weighs-This machine barely weighs 1 kg, so it is also ideal for overhead, vertical and contoured surfaces.

Optional vacuum-This sander comes with Optional vacuum conversion kits. So you can easily available convert non-vacuum tools to self-generated vacuum tools. 

 The rotor utilizes a blade– A total of 5 blades produces more power. The composite rotor makes it more strong and this feature ensures idle lubricating qualities.

Things We Liked

  • Lightweight tools are easier to move;
  • Affordable price for all users;
  • Easy to grip and manage with different positions.

Things We Didn’t Like

  • Requires a separate dust collector.

3. Makita 7-Inch Vertical Sander for Paint Removal

  • Model no: GV7000C;
  • Size: 5 inches;
  • Motor: 7.9 amp;
  • No-load speed: 2,500-4,700 RPM;
  • Pad Size: 7 Inches;
  • Weight: 4.6 lbs;
  • Arrives with lock nut, lock nut wrench, sanding disc, spanner wrench, side handle,
  • Rubber pad and many more.

Big-size pad- Most of the paint-removing sanders we have listed here are 5 inches in size. To speed up your task here is one with 7 inches pad size and it is the GV7000C model from Makita. 

Multi-task- Don’t expect it to do a miracle if you want a multi-tasking sander from stripping paints to polishing. Because it lacks the high speed to do swirl-free smoothing of any surface.

Balance- The machine is well-balanced, something you need for a day-long operation. The motor is placed right above the pad, so it will do its job gracefully with its weight. No need to apply any further pressure on it.

Variable speed- The speed range is limited, but it is variable. It creates 2,500 – 4,700 RPM that is suitable for paint removal work. Besides, this unit includes valuable accessories with it. So, the price is reasonable compared to other competitive models. 

Necessary items included-Box included with the various tools. Wrench 17 (781008-0), wrench 28 (782412-6), side handle (152491-2), sanding lock nut (224517-1), sanding disc 80 grit (742071-8), rubber pad 170 (743012-7) comes with this sander. 

Things We Liked

  • Well balanced;
  • Large pad size;
  • Durable and rugged construction. 

Things We Didn’t Like

  • Not for demanding jobs;
  • Speed is not as high as other orbital sanders;
  • The price is higher than the other sander in the market.

4. BOSCH ROS20VSK Random Orbital Sander for Paint Removal

  • Model no: 1250DEVS;
  • Motor: 6.5 amps;
  • No-load speed: 270-600 RPM;
  • No-load orbit speed: 3,100 – 6,500 OPM;
  • Pad Size: 6 inches;
  • Weight: 7.3 lbs;
  • Arrives with a soft backing pad, dust tube, sanding disc, ambidextrous auxiliary handle, pad wrench, dampening ring, and many more. 

Two modes- You will get the goodness of using two different sanders in one. There are two modes for aggressive and fine sanding. Modes can be changed easily to get the desired performance. It is a variable sander; even the modes have two different speed settings. So, the advantages are endless with the Bosch 1250DEVS sander.

Dust collections- The dust collection system is excellent, unlike other random sanders. It collects more than 96% of produced dust leaving the air fresh and clean. This awesome sander is available at a really affordable price. It is surprising how all those accessories fit at this price including the machine.

Safe- The satisfaction guarantee offered for this unit makes it even safer to buy for any woodworker from beginner to pro level. I didn’t find any reason to not like this sander whether it is for removing paint or polishing furniture. Even it is easier and safe. You need not use a putty knife.

Things We Liked

  • Affordable price sander;
  • Two modes for aggressive and fine sanding;
  • Comes with a money-back guarantee;
  • A lightweight sander is easy to manage;
  • One-year warranty with quality.

Things We Didn’t Like

  • No noticeable problems are demanded by the users.

5. Metabo HPT Belt Sander for Removing Paint

  • Model no: SB8V2;
  • Motor: 9 amps;
  • No-load speed: 820-1,475 ft/min;
  • Pad Size: 3 x 21 inches;
  • Weight: 9.5 lbs;
  • Arrives with attachments and warranty. 

Flush surface designThe problem with a random orbital sander is, its circular pad can’t get into the corner of a square or rectangle. In the case of home renovation, stripping off paints from a kitchen cabinet or stairs can be hectic using an orbital sander. A small belt sander is the best choice in those situations.

Variable speed- This Hitachi SB8V2 can be a smart solution for removing paint from wood/ metal or any other surface effortlessly. It is a variable speed sander, so smoothing the surface can also be done after removing paint. It is the lowest-cost sander on our list. 

Dust collections- Do you know dust collections are an important fact when you work with an electric sander? This sander comes with a dust collection bag that helps to keep your work area clean. Without hassle remove old paint through this belt sander. 

Long warranty- But it is backed by a 5-year long warranty with an excellent money-back guarantee like all other Hitachi products.

The only annoying thing is, installing a belt or aligning in a belt sander can be problematic for beginners. Installing paper in an orbital sander is much easier. Other than that, it is the best budget option for removing paint.

Things We Liked

  • Long warranty;
  • Fits into hard-to-reach places;
  • Medium range belt sander in the market. 

Things We Didn’t Like

  • Paper changing is easier in orbital sander than belt sanders.

Conclusion

When it is about choosing a sander for a paint removal task, you need a tool that can make you complete your job quickly and hustle-free.

The sanders I’ve mentioned above are all great tools and are able to reach your desired goal. You’ll be able to remove the paint and complete your project very quickly.

If the budget is not a big matter for you I will suggest you buy ‘Dynabrade Non-Vacuum Random Orbital Sander’. It’s a good-quality sander. If you need a good quality sander with all features with sander a suitable budget then ‘ Bosch ROS20VSC Random Orbital Sander’ is a good choice. If you are looking for a big pad sander my recommendation is ‘Makita 7-Inch Vertical Sander’. Without douth, Makita is a popular brand and this big pad sander is one of the best sanders for removing paint. All you need to gather all the important information about the best sander and you’re tension-free.

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About This Writer

author eric devin

Hi, I am Eric Devin and I am a professional interior architect. Since childhood, I've always enjoyed DIY projects! And, I have loved to solve simple household problems using essential tools and equipment. I have also acquired a lot of information about basic household tools settings by working with contractors.

Hi, I am Eric Devin and I am a professional interior architect. Since childhood, I've always enjoyed DIY projects! And, I have loved to solve simple household problems using essential tools and equipment. I have also acquired a lot of information about basic household tools settings by working with contractors.

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