How to sand brick to remove paint

Brick is a durable building material and can be found in some homes and outdoor features such as sheds and walls. Some homeowners may accidentally spill paint on a brick surface, and the paint often clings to the surface due to brick's porous nature. Sanding the brick can effectively remove the paint. Take steps to immediately clean your bricks to restore the bricks' appearance and get rid of paint stains.

Clean the brick surface before sanding. Remove as much paint as possible to reduce the amount of eroding sanding action you must use. Wipe the area with a wet sponge or rag. If the paint has dried or is difficult to remove, shoot a power washer at the area.

Sand the painted brick surface with a handheld piece of sandpaper. This option is best for small areas or removing small specks of paint. Use a coarse-grade sandpaper with a grit designation size of 40 to 50 on the Coated Abrasives Manufacturers Institute (CAMI) scale. Rub the brick briskly to sand away the paint.

Use a sand blaster if you need to remove paint on large brick surfaces, such as an entire wall. Fill the sand blaster's gravity feed with commercial-grade sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).

Run the sand blaster and aim it at the brick surface, moving its nozzle back and forth in slow, sweeping movements. The sodium bicarbonate with quickly sand away the paint without causing extensive erosion to the brick surface like standard sand would.

Clean up the area. Use a pressure washer to shoot down the brick and remove the powder left behind after your sanding session. Alternatively, suck away the powder with a shop vacuum.