Can you use a rotary sander on cedar shake singles to remove old paint?

November 12th, 2009
guitargadfly asked:


The grain on the shingles on my house runs vertically. Would it damage them to use a sander?

(This is the siding of the house)
I’m using a scraper now, not a sander. It’s very very hard on my hands. I’m a professional guitarist and I need to preserve them. Thus the idea of a sander.

3 Responses to “Can you use a rotary sander on cedar shake singles to remove old paint?”

  1. GOAT HEAD Says:
    November 15th, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    you would be better off getting a paint stripper that goes onto your drill. and you may want to try to pressure wash first to get the already loose stuff off first

  2. Glenn B Says:
    November 18th, 2009 at 9:05 pm

    You might to use an orbital sander. You can go any direction with one of these. My question to you is why are you using a sander on your siding? You will be spending a fortune on sand paper. A scraper will be enough to remove any loose stuff. Spot prime with and alkyd primer to bare cedar, top coat with an acrylic or latex product. Stay away from using a power washer, you will only be adding more moisture into the wood and that is not good. good luck.

  3. Fisherman Says:
    November 19th, 2009 at 4:59 am

    No and what you are doing is slow and impractical
    replace the shingles with new and be done with it
    they only cost 50$ a bundle