Forget Sandpaper: Remove Paint And More With An Easy-To-Use Lowe's Find

Removing paint from wood or other surfaces can be quite frustrating, especially if there are intricate or small details where the paint stubbornly refuses to let go. And if you're removing paint from paneling, it can feel downright impossible. Regardless of your sanding technique, sandpaper won't reach the nooks and crannies, and chemical strippers are nasty and to be avoided whenever possible. The good news is that Lowe's is selling the Dremel Max-life 2-piece silicone abrasive set. Used on flexible shaft tools, such as Dremel and similar rotary tools, these abrasive wheels flex to fit delicate details. They're made to remove finish from small areas, so you can't take the paint off of entire pieces of furniture with them. However, they're great for small jobs. 

The buffs are 1-3/16 inches in diameter (30 mm). One of the wheels is 180-grit, the other is 280-grit. Even if your project does not have intricate details, because the silicone flexes, getting into 90-degree corners and other tight spots are also within these wheels' wheelhouse. It is a sure bet that once you've used them, you'll find many opportunities to take advantage of their unique functionality.

Removing stubborn paint is a great way to make use of these buffing wheels, but there are host of other things they do well. One very handy task is removing rust, sap and other sticky build-up on garden tools. Loppers, clippers, chain saw bars regularly get crude and corruption sticking to their cutting edges, impeding their effectiveness. These abrasive wheels will quickly remove the gunk without harming the cutting edges. A similar function is removing the sticky grass build up on lawnmower blades before you sharpen them. As a bonus, you can also sharpen lawnmower blades with a rotary tool.

There are a couple of details to keep in mind when using these abrasive wheels. First, even though they are embedded with very fine abrasive grits (180 and 280), they will remove wood or plastic from details, so care must be taken to remove the paint or finish but not the substrate. Second, while it may seem obvious it's best to say it clearly, if you do not have a flexible shaft tool or a rotary tool, you can't use them. They are only suited to that type of tool.