The 10 Best Abrasive Wheels For Paint Removal
This wiki has been updated 19 times since it was first published in January of 2019. Whether you are refinishing a flaking metal gate or have to recoat a fading garage door, you won't be able to get the job done efficiently without a grinding wheel. These tools rotate at high speeds when attached to a grinder or drill, quickly removing layers of unwanted paint, so you can start anew. You can also use them on a host of other materials, like lacquer, glue and epoxy. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Black Hawk Easy Strip
2. Makita Z120
3. DeWalt DW4774
Editor's Notes
December 05, 2020:
Removed the EDiamondTools AWP0710A5 and the EDiamondTools MWP0718A7 in favor of the Makita Z120 and the 3M 7771.
If you need to remove a lot of paint from steel or iron, the Makita Z120 is among the best options. Flap discs are very aggressive so if you want to remove paint without removing too much of the underlying metal, I would keep it above 120 grit. 80 and 60 grit will be very unforgiving and you run the risk of introducing gouges and valleys into your workpiece.
Both the Black Hawk Easy Strip and the 3M 7771 use abrasive impregnated nylon, which is useful because it is hard enough to strip paint but soft enough that it mostly glides over metal. The primary difference between the two is that the 3M can only be used on drivers whereas the Black Hawk can only be used on angle grinders. Given that drivers are designed for torque and not speed, the Black Hawk paired with a grinder will remove finishes quite a bit quicker than the 3M.
Grinding and stripping can produce harmful dust and debris. Always wear breathing and eye protection when using abrasive wheels.
April 10, 2019:
In compiling this list, the main goal was to provide a varied selection of products and hopefully make it easy for professionals and amateurs alike to find the right tool for their specific construction or home improvement needs. With grinding wheels, and particularly those designed for paint removal, grit rating, maximum rotations per minute, diameter, and compatibility with grinders and drills are the main features that set one model apart from the next. This is why you'll find items here in a range of sizes and with many distinct segment shapes. Choosing the right balance of features is important and can shave minutes or even hours off the time you spend grinding. For instance, the Altcut Products 2270 with its small segments is an appropriate option for small-scale paint removal projects, whereas the EDiamondTools AWP0710A5 is best suited to tackling tougher jobs.
4. Trenion Megatron
5. 3M 7771
6. EDiamondTools Aggressive
7. Altcut Products 2270
8. Katzco Two-Pack
9. Trenion Tornado
10. Weiler Conflex
Rafael Perez is a doctoral candidate in philosophy at the University of Rochester. His primary focus is the metaphysics of time and the philosophy of mind, with a particular interest in artificial intelligence and antirepresentational models of the mind. He has extensive experience as a mechanic, a construction worker, and a general repairman. This has allowed him to gather a wealth of knowledge on automobile repair, auto parts, carpentry, masonry, welding, and the tools used in those trades. In his spare time, he enjoys playing guitar, woodworking, and fishing.