For bigger sanding jobs, you'll want to use a power sander. Belt, disk or drum sanders can be used. Although sanding removes a painted surface quickly and easily, it has one basic disadvantage - it also removes some of the wood surface underneath the paint. If you are working on a fine piece of furniture, sanding is not recommended. When sanding old paint or varnish from the surface, use open coat, coarse sandpaper.
Fine sandpaper clogs up quickly, making it ineffective as a paint remover.
As a rule, sanding is recommended only on extremely rough jobs. Chemical paint removers are much more effective and easier to use. Paint around the spindles of a chair is especially hard to remove. Let it set for about 20 minutes, then scrape away the old paint and apply more remover as needed. Set the legs of the chair in a small metal can or container to catch the surplus paint remover as it runs down the leg of the chair.