The Ultimate Guide to Powered Sanders for Surface Prep

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Sanding sanding, sanding.  The key to a great paint job is surface preparation.  As painters, we often get asked what is the right power sander for the job I am doing.  Here is what we know on the subject.

Here is a list of powered sanding equipment that can be used for preparing a house for painting, covering interior walls, ceilings, floors, weatherboards, and decking:

Orbital Sander

• Uses: Ideal for sanding flat surfaces like walls, ceilings, and floors. Provides a smooth finish.

Random Orbital Sander

• Uses: Versatile tool for interior walls, ceilings, and floors. Combines the aggressiveness of a belt sander with the finish quality of an orbital sander.

Detail Sander

• Uses: Perfect for sanding tight corners and detailed areas on interior walls and trim.

Belt Sander

• Uses: Excellent for removing old paint or varnish from large, flat surfaces like floors and decking. Very powerful and aggressive.

Drywall Sander

• Uses: Specifically designed for sanding drywall, making it ideal for preparing interior walls and ceilings for painting.

Handheld Electric Sander

• Uses: Great for smaller jobs and hard-to-reach areas. Suitable for weatherboards and small patches on decking.

Floor Sander

• Uses: Heavy-duty sander designed for refinishing hardwood floors. Ideal for preparing floors for painting or varnishing.

Pole Sander (Electric)

• Uses: Ideal for sanding high walls and ceilings without the need for a ladder.

Disc Sander

• Uses: Useful for rough sanding of large flat surfaces like weatherboards and decking.

Edge Sander

• Uses: Designed to sand the edges of floors and decking where a floor sander cannot reach.

Drywall Vacuum Sander

• Uses: Combines a vacuum with a sander to reduce dust while sanding drywall surfaces.

Multi-Tool with Sanding Attachment

• Uses: Versatile tool that can be used for sanding in tight spots, around corners, and for detailed work on weatherboards and decking.

Using the appropriate sanding equipment will ensure a smooth and properly prepared surface for painting, resulting in a better finish and longer-lasting paint job.

WARNINGS!! 

• WEAR APPROPRIATE FILTERED BREATHING MASKS AND EYE PROTECTION
• KEEP CHILDREN AND ANIMALS CLEAR FROM SANDING DUST
• NEVER SAND FIBROUS CEMENT SHEETING OR BOARDS AS THEY MAY CONTAIN ASBESTOS.  GET THEM TESTED BEFOR DISTURBING.