Sanders (including manual hand sanders and power sanders) are an effective way to remove paint from large, flat surfaces. ... Since a sander creates dust, it's not safe to sand lead paint because it will release toxic lead dust into the air. Clean the surface.

Can you sand back painted wood?

To use sandpaper or a power sander to remove paint: ... Using enough pressure to remove the paint but not so much that it damages the wood. Move to medium 150-grit abrasive and finish with fine 220-grit, brushing away dust from the surface each time you change paper.

Can you sand once painted?

After the final coat of flat paint, sand lightly with super fine sandpaper. Your project should be smooth and even. Remove sanding residue with a soft bristled brush attachment on a vacuum.